Representing Middle-earth

<p> In such classic works as <I>The Hobbit The Lord of the Rings</I> and <I>The Silmarillion</I> J. R. R. Tolkien depicts a vast complex world-system. Tolkien's Middle-earth comes to life with intensely detailed historical geographical and multicultural content which is presented through different poetic forms that combine elements of epic romance myth history and the modern novel. This book analyzes Tolkien's project paying attention to narrative form and its relation to social contexts while also exploring his broader philosophical conception of history and the role of individual and collective subjects within it. Tolkien's published and posthumous writings the film adaptations and recent scholarship are all examined to provide an enlarged and refined critical perspective of these major works. Drawing upon Marxist literary theory and criticism Robert T. Tally Jr. calls into question traditional views of race class morality escapism and fantasy more generally. Through close readings mixed with theoretical speculation <I>Representing Middle-earth</I> allows readers see Tolkien's world as well as our own in a new light.</p>