I saw the Hobbit trailer today on the big screen at a TinTin matinee showing. The eight people in the theater watching — me and a few of my children with two dads and their sons (Christmas Day custody rights? alas, so it seemed) — all but stood and cheered.
The Hobbit: First Movie Trailer
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Hi, and best of the season to you and your family.
Lately, I was motivated to read again the Hobbit as well as the Lord of the Ring stories after an absence of nigh 40 years. Needless to say they were much more enjoyable this time around. After having the tremendous enjoyment of analyzing the H.P. series over the years, I was wondering whether you could point me in the direction of a close reading of the Ring books. I must admit that there are many points of overlap with H.P. and the original Tolkien, many more than I had remembered.
Thank you for any thoughts
Tolkien studies, alas, long ago descended into academic categories of themes, language histories, and Catholic symbolism. Flieger, Shippey, and Caldecott are your best bets for iconological readings and Ruskin-esque explanations of why the Lord of the Rings books are so powerful and popular.
For the Potter parallels, check out this post from the HogPro archives (the vault!).
That is a shame. I was browsing in a few second hand book stores, checking out different analysis, and did not find what I was looking for. I think that there is no doubt that Rowling imbibed possibly more than she was aware of from her close readings of Tolkien,.
I think that Tolkien, being a philolgist was able to look way back in time with words. Coupled with his knowledge of myths, I think that it extends way past his being a devout Catholic.
Here’s my satire on it; see what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO1bu_0dU9I
D.V: I second John’s suggestions of Shippey and Flieger – they’re the titans of the field, no question. Try Shippey’s Author of the Century and/or The Road to Middle-earth, and Flieger’s Splintered Light for starters.
Also check out Corey “The Tolkien Professor” Olsen’s podcasts, here: http://www.tolkienprofessor.com/
He’s really bringing a fresh perspective through close reading and revolutionizing the field.
Thank you Kat for all the help. I will order a few books right away. It has been a very long while since I read Barfield(Flieger). I will also listen to ‘The Tolkien Professor”. Thank you again
You’re very welcome! Always glad to spread the joy of Tolkien. If you’re really interested in studying this stuff seriously, check out The Mythgard Institute, founded by Professor Olsen. He’s teaching a master’s class this spring on Lewis and Tolkien and Professor Amy Sturgis and Travis Prinzi from the Hog’s Head are teaching a Harry Potter course. I took the inaugural class this fall and had a wonderful experience – I can’t recommend it enough! http://www.mythgard.org
And don’t worry about Barfield. I hadn’t read anything of his when I read Flieger’s book and I was still able to follow and understand.