The Literary Role of History in the Fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien

This volume analyzes the literary role played by history in the works of J. R. R. Tolkien. It argues that the events of The Lord of the Rings are placed against the background of an already-existing history, both in reality and in the fictional worlds of the books.

Autorentext

Nicholas Birns teaches at New York University and is the author of many books and articles on literary criticism, including coediting The Cambridge Companion to the Australian Novel.

Inhalt

1 History in the Archives and on the Road

2 Forehistories: Prehistory to the Pre- Roman

3 From Ulfilas to Appendix F: How Tolkien Yearned for, and Gave Up, the Goths

4 Interhistories: Tolkien, Byzantium, and the Worlds of Modern Fantasy

5 Hobbits, the Rohirrim and the Modern Histories of Politeness

6 Sylvan Historians: The Silvan Elves in Nature and History

7 Philology and History: Tolkien, Auerbach, Said

8 Afterhistories: Or, Why Moria Was Not Restored?