I. INTRODUCTION

1. Literary Genres

1.1 Fantasy

1.1.a Concept and approaches

1.1.b Examples

1.2 Science Fiction

1.2.a Concept and approaches

1.2.b Examples

1.3 Fantasy Genres in Films

2. Literary Theory

3. Previous Considerations of the Influences

3.1 Myth and Literature

3.2 Life, War and History

 

II. LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

1. Some Notes about Language
2. Problems with Literary Bulk

2.1 'Fairy' or 'Folk' Tale?

2.1.a The World of Faërie
2.1.b Folk Tales

2.2 Re-building Myths

2.2.a Norse & English Mythological Heritage

3. One Ring to Make a Plot

3.1 Interaction and the Ring

4. Jules Verne, the Man Who Foresaw Tolkien

4.1 Runes to Ruin

4.2 Isengard and the Stahlstadt

4.3 Volcano Divers

 

III. MYTHOLOGY, RELIGION AND LITERATURE

1. Aragorn and the Arthurian Myth.

1.1 Some Mythological and Literary Similarities: Aragorn, Ivanhoe, Arthur & Odysseus
1.2 A Little Note on the Origins and Nature of King Arthur.

2. If Gandalf was Merlín.

2.1 Self-interested or Deliverer of Fate?
2.2 The Importance of a Good Advice: A God or a Liar?

3. Frodo Baggins: the Martyr and the Soldier.

3.1 The Literary Character

3.2 The Character on the Screen

4. Gollum. A Forgiven Fallen or the most useful Madman in Literature ever?

4.1 The Original Gollum
4.2 Insanity, Invisibility and Alter-ego

4.3 Saints and Sinners: A Selfish Monster

5. Sauron & Saruman. Biting the apple of knowledge.
6. Elves & Tuatha De Danann. Greek and Celtic Mythology in Tolkien.

6.1 Who are the Elves?
6.2 Of Heaven

 

IV. TOLKIEN, WAR, HISTORY AND THE LORD OF THE RINGS

1. Fulfilling an oath at the Pelennor Fields.
2. Hitler, Saruman, Churchill, Aragorn & Gandalf

2.1. The Power of Image
2.2. The Power of Speech

2.2.a Discouraging and Fooling the Enemy

2.2.b Being Realistic and Encouraging the Faint-hearted

2.3. Banners and Symbols

3. Enemies of the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth or historical enemies of Western Europe?

3.1. Easterlings, Roman Soldiers and Samurai Warriors
3.2. Haradrim and Southrons
3.3. Riders and Oliphaunts

 

V. CONCLUSION

1. About Literary Genres
2. Plot, Meaning and Structure of the Text

2.1 Literary Devices to Develop a Plot

2.2 Topics and Meaning

3. Conclusions from Literary Criticism

3.1 Life and War

3.2 The Author and the Text

 

VI. BIBLIOGRAPHY