A Cloud of Witnesses: External Mediation in Frodo’s Journey to Rivendell and Beyond
Links to Files
https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol37/iss1/8/Permanent Link
http://hdl.handle.net/11603/11963Collections
Metadata
Show full item recordAuthor/Creator
Date
2018Type of Work
application/pdf13 pages
Text
journal articles
Department
Albert S. Cook LibraryCitation of Original Publication
Olson, Carl P. (2018) "A Cloud of Witnesses: External Mediation in Frodo’s Journey to Rivendell and Beyond," Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature: Vol. 37 : No. 1 , Article 8. Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol37/iss1/8Rights
Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United Stateshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/
Subjects
Tolkien, J.R.R. (1892-1973)Mimetic theory
Psychology in literature
Christianity in fantasy literature
Heroism
Abstract
Applies Rene Girard’s mimetic theory to a study of Frodo’s motivations and role models in the early phases of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien’s incorporation of extensive background material deepens our understanding of his main characters, most of all his central hero, Frodo. Commonly described as “role-models,” external mediators work to pacify relations in a community, and act to endow individuals with meaning, purpose, and direction they otherwise would not have. By the imitation of role-models, Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry become real to Tolkien’s readers by comparison and contrast to Bilbo Baggins, Gildor and his high elves, Tom Bombadil and ultimately, the long-lost Eärendil. Tolkien arrived at similar insights to Girard by drawing upon his legacy of classical and Catholic education.
The following license files are associated with this item:
- Creative Commons