Evolution of Tolkien's Mythology

Elizabeth A. Whittingham teaches in the English department at SUNY College at Brockport in Brockport, New York.

“a most valuable...handbook”—SFRA Review; “relatively little attention has been focused on the twelve volumes of The History of Middle-earth...a very useful teaching and reference tool...stresses the enormous role that Tolkien’s readers had in prompting him to rethink, revise and refine some of the more complex elements of his mythology”—Tolkien Studies; “an excellent ‘primer’ for those who found The History of Middle-earth itself intimidating. It is to be hoped that others will follow her fine example”—SEVEN; “an insightful and thought provoking examination”—Critical Mass; “welcome...a weighty contribution to Tolkien commentary”—St. Austin Review; “show[s] the seriousness of the topics that Tolkien addressed...examin[es] not just the factual evolution of Tolkien’s story but the stylistic evolution as well...this consideration of style is a real achievement, as this topic—requiring a command of the whole body of the History—has attracted little previous comment”—Mythlore; “painstakingly combs through the many versions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings...undoubtedly a work of scholarship, but it’s a lot more accessible than most of the genre. This isn’t an introduction to the stories, it’s a way to deepen your understanding of them”—Green Man Review.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgments      Abbreviations      Preface      Introduction      1. Influences in Tolkien’s Life      2. Tolkien’s Mythology of Creation      3. Tolkien’s Mythology of Divine Beings      4. The Physical World of Middle-earth and of Eä      5. Death and Immortality among Elves and Men      6. The Last Days of Middle-earth      7. The Final Victory      Works Consulted      Index