“The Lord of the Rings” ranks as one of the most popular works of fiction of the 20th century, both in terms of sales and in reader surveys. Why? In this course we will read and discuss Tolkien’s masterpiece within the context of his career and its predecessor stories: “The Silmarillion” (small selections only), which Tolkien began in his early 20s during World War I, and “The Hobbit,” a tale he wrote for his children that gradually became linked with his earlier work in “The Silmarillion” and led to “The Lord of the Rings.” We will consider the nature of fantasy as literature and what Tolkien’s work has to say about fate versus free will, hope versus despair, war, courage, sacrifice, compassion, mercy, power and the nature of evil.
NOTE: Any edition of “The Hobbit” or “The Lord of the Rings” will be fine. Participants should be prepared for a substantial amount of reading and may want to read ahead.
