Authenticity And Serious Theme

This thesis grew out of my love for the fictional works of J.R.R. Tolkien .Unfortunately, Tolkien's classic, The Lord of the Rings, is usually ignored in our country. Because of some sad misunderstanding, it is very easy now for someone to underestimate the worth and impact of this intriguing novel. They thought The Lord of the Rings , and other fantasy fictions, were books for children or daydreams for adults. In my thesis, I will try to change people's prejudice and prove that The Lord of the Rings' world is real and its theme is solemn. In fact, it is not only a fiction but also an epic.The thesis is divided into eight chapters and one appendix.Chapter One gives an introduction of the misunderstanding and dispute about The Lord of the Rings, explaining Tolkien's attitude, and giving an overview of the special reality of this fiction. It also includes a short biography of the author.Chapter Two deals with the origin of mythological background of Tolkien's fictional world. I point that Tolkien's myth, in fact, is based on the Old Norse Myths which really existed in Europe. He tries to make every detail of his story as real as Edda, and other old Germany epics, or legends. He wants to let his readers believe that The Lord of the Rings is one part of the Old Norse Myths and by this way he could rebuild some kind of lost myths and epics.Chapter Three introduces the special languages of The Lord of the Rings.Tolkien creates some new languages in order to make his fiction real and like an epic. It is in this aspect that we could discover that the author's attitude is very serious.In Chapter Four, I talk about the wine of The Lord of the Rings and try to prove Tolkien's design accurately imitates the true situation in The Old Norse Myth. Chapter Five shows the witchcraft in The Lord of the Rings. It includes two Parts, the worship of kings and the worship of trees. I believe all of them absolutely serve for the authenticity of this fiction.Chapter Six shows the world of The Lord of the Rings in fact does not belong to Christian culture. Although Tolkien is a devout Christian, he didn't cover up his dislike of Christianity and his favor to the Northern paganism.In Chapter Seven, I will answer why Tolkien likes the old paganism much more than his own religion. Christianity is a part of modem European society and the old Norse paganism stands for some kind of PURE society. Tolkien wanted to reveal the trap of our times which torments modem people with social progress, and to show us how to escape from this trap. Therefore, it is only legitimate and responsible to admit that his book is not just a fancy feast for children or surrealistic amusement for adults.Finally I will conclude my thesis by summing up two features of The Lord of the Rings, authenticity and serious theme. They are indeed the reasons why Tolkien's books have attracted so many people for over 50 years.The Appendix consists of some pictures. I avoid a portrait of Tolkien, two pictures of Rune and some special letters in The Lord of the Rings, two maps, and three mythical family trees.