Tolkien I: Essays, Short Stories, and The Silmarillion

Tolkien I (Fall Semester) covers some of J.R.R. Tolkien’s less familiar and more challenging works. The course begins with a reading and discussion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s well-known essay of literary criticism, “On Fairy-Stories,” before turning to consider how he implemented many of those ideas in his own fairy-story, “Smith of Wootten Major.” From there, the bulk of the semester will be spent on a work many have started but few have finished, The Silmarillion, in which is told the history of the Elves in Middle-earth beginning with the creation of the world and leading up to the period of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The semester will conclude with a reading of Tolkien’s profound and delightful allegory and self-parodying short story, “Leaf by Niggle.” Throughout this class, special attention will be given both to Tolkien’s literary craft and to his philosophical and theological thought. While this course may be taken as a stand-alone course, Tolkien I lays the literary, philosophical, and theological foundation for the close reading of The Lord of the Rings offered in Tolkien II (Spring Semester).

The course will be comprised of a one-hour lecture each week (viewed either in real time or whenever the student’s schedule permits) and a one-hour recitation to discuss the readings and lecture. Students will write a 500-word mid-term essay and 1000-word final paper and complete an end-of-term exam.

Course Objectives:

1. Familiarize students with Tolkien’s literary theory in his essay “On Fairy-Stories”
2. Introduce students to fundamental themes in western philosophy and theology through Tolkien’s creation story, the Ainulindalë.
3. Introduce students to Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium, the mythical history behind the world of The Lord of the Rings.
4. Help students develop and practice their skills in oral and written argumentation.

Texts:

• J.R.R Tolkien. The Silmarillion. Any edition.
• J.R.R. Tolkien. Morgoth’s Ring: The History of Middle-earth, vol. 10. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. Harper Collins.
• J.R.R. Tolkien. Tree and Leaf. Harper Collins.