Details

Subject(s)

• Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel) 1892-1973—Criticism and interpretation [Browse]
• Neoplatonism in literature [Browse]
• Christianity in literature [Browse]
• Fantasy fiction, English—History and criticism [Browse]

Series

• Critical explorations in science fiction and fantasy ; 75. [More in this series]
• Critical explorations in science fiction and fantasy ; 75 [More in this series]

Summary note

"J. R. R. Tolkien is arguably the most influential fantasy writer of all time--his world building and epic mythology have changed western audiences' imaginations and the entire fantasy genre. This book is the first wide-ranging Christian Platonic reading on Tolkien's fiction. This analysis, written for scholars and general Tolkien enthusiasts alike, discusses how Tolkien's fiction is constructed on levels of language, myth, and textuality that have a background in the Greek philosopher Plato's texts and early Christian philosophy influenced by Plato. It discusses the Christian Platonic concepts of ideal and real, creation and existence, and fall and struggle as central elements of Tolkien's fiction, focusing on The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion and The History of Middle-earth. By reading Tolkien's fiction as a depiction of ideal and real, from the vision of creation to the process of realization, it illuminates a part of Tolkien's aesthetics and mythology that previous studies have overlooked"-- Provided by publisher.

Bibliographic references

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN

• 9781476672885 (paperback)
• 1476672881 (paperback)

LCCN

2021021179

OCLC

1237344843

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