CULTURAL CAUSES FOR A LITERARY PHENOMENON: EXAMINING THE LORD OF THE RINGS IN AMERICAN HISTORY

Abstract

In an effort to better comprehend the unprecedented celebrity of J.R.R. Tolkien's twentieth century saga, The Lord of the Rings, I examined the works not only in terms of their literary context, but also through a cultural lens with a particular focus on the two periods of paramount popularity. The trilogy's premiere in America in the 1960s resulted in a wave of positive public reception amongst the young, emergent hippie culture synonymous with the decade, while a similar fanaticism accompanied the debut of the cinematic versions of the novels at the turn of the twenty-first century. During my research, I found a number of parallels between the two decades that could account for such dramatic increases in fame including social unrest, poor foreign relations, climates of war, environmental concerns and a progressive young generation. Considering these similarities, I also explored themes within Tolkien's work to discover those that may have resonated with audiences at those pivotal periods. Therein I found that his focus on the search for self, the fallibility of human nature, the importance of nonviolent solutions, and the idealization of nature prove central to the popularity in question. Thus, I conclude that the literary merit of the story itself is most responsible for the renewal of recognition The Lord of the Rings has experienced in American history, with credit also being granted to specific cultural climates, as well as the conversion of the saga into other mediums.