Jones, Julianna Renae "A Close Friendship with the Earth": Place in The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. 2014. Radford University, Thesis. Radford University Scholars' Repository.
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Abstract
Abstract English author J.R.R. Tolkien’s most beloved works, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, are seen mostly as works of fantasy. Some even believe they are primarily for children. However, this thesis argues that these works are not only delightful works of fiction, but also call to some serious issues in our own time. I also strive to prove that there are lessons to be learned from Tolkien’s narrative on how to deal with the psychoterratic mental distress known as “solastalgia.” Solastalgia is a term coined by Glenn Albrecht to describe feelings of loss and hopelessness that one might experience when their homes are changed fundamentally or even destroyed by something like deforestation or strip mining. This thesis strives to prove that some of Tolkien’s characters exhibit these same traits. Their encounters with solastalgia impact the narrative in different ways, and these characters also deal with these feelings and symptoms in very different ways. In this thesis, I explore how two of the hobbits, Treebeard, and some of the dwarves all deal with solastalgia. I also explore the level of attachment to land, the sense of place, and the way these impact the narrative for several other characters.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) |
| Divisions: | Radford University > College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences > Department of English |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Nov 2014 17:17 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Apr 2023 18:13 |
| URI: | http://wagner.radford.edu/id/eprint/165 |
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