Tolkien's Medievalism in Ruins: The Function of Relics and Ruins in Middle-earth

(Hardback)

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The structural and symbolic purposes of ruins in literary texts have a long history, yet few scholars explore their importance within J. R. R. Tolkiens legendarium.

From the ruins of Erebor and the relics of Gondolin appearing in The Hobbit to the various images of Amon Sl, Moria, and Osgiliath in The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien constructs a distinct moodone that captures characters awareness of the glories of the past and a desire to emulate them. The scholars who do engage Tolkiens relics and ruins tend to limit the scope to Tolkiens debt to the Middle Ages. While such scholarship begins important conversations, the full story of Tolkiens relics and ruins is left untold. Tolkiens Medievalism in Ruins takes corrective action and expands this historical and critical literary scope. This collection seeks to promote a more comprehensive approach to Tolkiens legendarium.

Author Bio

Nick Katsiadas is Assistant Professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures, Cultures, and Writing at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

Carl Sell is the Assistant Director of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program at the University of Pittsburgh.