Tolkien and the Invention of Myth: A Reader [Hardcover]

Jane Chance (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2004

At what stage in J.R.R. Tolkien's reading of other literatures and mythologies did he conceive of the fantastic mythology of Middle-earth that has become so deeply entrenched in contemporary culture? At what point did medieval epic and legend spark Tolkienian myth? The eighteen essays in Tolkien and the Invention of Myth examine the ancient Greek, Latin, Old Norse, Old English, and Finnish sources from which Tolkien appropriated the concepts, images, characterizations, contexts, and theories that inform his own fictional narratives The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. Understanding his invented mythologies requires a rediscovery of those tales of larger-than-life gods and heroes found in northern myths. A well-rounded and essential reader for any Tolkien lover, the book includes several essays that provide background and context, explaining Tolkien's literary aesthetic and his interest in folklore, his love of philology, and the philosophical and religious underpinnings of his narratives. Among the contributors are well-known medievalists and Tolkien scholars Marjorie Burns, Michael Drout, Verlyn Flieger, David Lyle Jeffrey, Tom Shippey, and Richard West. Tolkien and the Invention of Myth identifies the various medieval mythologies woven into the elaborate tapestry of Tolkien's work, making it a vital contribution to the study of one of the twentieth century's most influential authors.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Well worth reading" -- Modern Fiction Studies

"The written-down equivalent of a roundtable discussion.... They trace his back (to Norse myth-to old England-to the classics) and have a wonderful time doing so." -- Rockland (ME) Courier-Gazette

"Shows how Tolkien gathers ancient and medieval sources, transforming them into a work applicable to and approachable by a contemporary reader mostly ignorant of any myths beyond the Disney-fied versions." -- Seven

"A superb collection of insightful articles.... Provides valuable insight into the various traditions familiar to Tolkien, and from which he drew as he developed his personal mythology over the decades." -- The Historian

"Every one of these articles provides valuable insight into the various traditions familiar to Tolkien, and from which he drew as he developed his personal mythology over the decades." -- The Historian

About the Author

Jane Chance, a professor of English at Rice University, specializes in medieval mythography and is general editor of three series, The Library of Medieval Women, the Praeger Series on the Middle Ages, and Greenwood Guides to Historic Events in the Medieval World. She is the author of more than eighteen books, editions, and translations, including Tolkien’s Art: A Mythology for England and The Lord of the Rings: The Mythology of Power.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813123011
• ISBN-13: 978-0813123011
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,871,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jane Chance, the Andrew W. Mellon Distinguished Chair in English at Rice University, has taught medieval literature for forty years, first, at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, after receiving her Ph.D. in English from the University of Illinois in 1971, and then at Rice University, beginning in 1973. Former first President and founder of the Consortium for the Teaching of the Middle Ages, Inc., Chance has published twenty-one books and nearly a hundred articles and book reviews, on mythography and the Latin influence on medieval literary culture, Old and Middle English literature, Chaucer, medieval women, and modern medievalism (Tolkien in particular). Winner of many awards and national fellowships, she has edited three book series, most recently the Praeger Series on the Middle Ages, and served as Vice President of the Texas Faculty Association. She serves on several editorial boards, including those for PMLA and postmedieval: a journal of medieval cultural studies.

Jane Chance lives in Galveston and pursues her interests in photography and historic architecture. She lives in a house built by Sam Houston's great nephew, Major Samuel Moore Penfield, which has been awarded Landmark status by the city of Galveston and the Texas Historic Commission. She won the Galveston Historic Foundation award for historical preservation in the construction of her new garage.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wide-ranging survey, September 22, 2004

By 

Janet B. Croft (NORMAN, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tolkien and the Invention of Myth: A Reader (Hardcover)

A solid collection of articles on various sub-topics of Tolkien's relations with myth, particularly his sources and his aim of creating a mythology. There are several very good essays on the Finnish _Kalevala_ as an influence. Tom Shippey's essay on the _Edda_ and _Kalevala_ is one of his best, and a fine example of his typical clarity of style. Several of the reprinted articles, notably Catherine Madsen's essay on natural religion and Kathleen Dubs' on Boethian philosophy, are quite thought-provoking. Andrew Lazo's essay on the Kolbitar, precursor to the Inklings, is repetitive in sections but includes a good deal of very interesting material. Also noteworthy are the papers on oaths and oath-breaking by John Holmes and on Beowulf by Alexandra Bolitineanu. All in all, a useful collection.