On Ways of Studying Tolkien: Notes Toward a Better (Epic) Fantasy Criticism
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Author
Wise, Dennis WilsonAffiliation
Univ ArizonaIssue Date
2020
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Valparaiso UniversityCitation
Wise, Dennis Wilson (2020) "On Ways of Studying Tolkien: Notes Toward a Better (Epic) Fantasy Criticism," Journal of Tolkien Research: Vol. 9 : Iss. 1 , Article 2. Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol9/iss1/2Journal
Journal of Tolkien ResearchRights
Copyright © Dennis Wilson Wise. This is an open access article licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).Collection Information
This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at repository@u.library.arizona.edu.Abstract
This article examines major academic approaches used in the study of J.R.R. Tolkien. It argues that certain themes from political philosopher Leo Strauss, by helping us to develop a new theoretical lens, can elucidate several politically salient aspects of Tolkien's work, including thymos and his dialectic between ancient and modern. Four previous (though flawed) Straussian interpretations of Tolkien are highlighted. Finally, by analyzing the tensions that arise when pairing critical theory and its attendant bias against nature with Tolkien and epic fantasy, this article argues for the timeliness of a Straussian lens for studying fantasy and Tolkien alike.Note
Open access journalISSN
2471-934XVersion
Final published versionCollections
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Copyright © Dennis Wilson Wise. This is an open access article licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).