This paper examines the traces of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work in today’s Fantasy literature. It is an indisputable fact that The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) is one of the most influential works of the 20th century and remains culturally relevant to this day. Today’s Fantasy literature and popular culture is so saturated and full of LOTR’s influence that it is difficult to imagine a culture without it. Even a person who has never read the original work or consumed any other adaptation of it will most likely recognise the names of Frodo, Gollum and Gandalf; and any modern reader of Fantasy literature and its branching genres like Science Fiction or Horror will know Tolkien’s name.
Yet it is not just the readers who were influenced by Tolkien, on the contrary, following LOTR’s wake a whole array of authors began to write their own works, featuring fantastical worlds filled with trolls, wizards, elves, dwarves and the like. Most novels on today’s Fantasy best-seller and classics lists such as George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire, Terry Pratchett’s Discworld or Ursula Le Guinn’s Earthsea Chronicles, to name just a select few, share definite traces of Tolkienesque elements, and, it can be argued that even those who actively dislike Tolkien and his work and thus went on to create something decidedly different are still influenced by him, even if in a spiteful sense.
So, it is not a question of if there are traces of Tolkien’s work in today’s Fantasy literature, but rather to what extent. Thus, after explaining the chosen methodology and theoretical approach this paper will take to this subject, there will be a section dedicated to a pre-Tolkien world and the state of literature at the time, in an effort to fully understand the scope of Tolkien’s influence. Thereafter, a quick summary of both works will be given to introduce still unfamiliar readers to the subject matter that will later be analysed in detail. The next two chapters will deal with the analysis of all shared aspects and differences between the two works chosen, before lastly presenting a conclusion of all findings and offering a final verdict on the state of modern Fantasy literature.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Determining the Scope
- Fantasy Literature before Tolkien
- Myth Making and World Building
- Summary of Both Works
- The Narrative Framework
- Languages
- Songs, Poetry and other Stories
- Maps
- Calendars
- Cultures and Customs
- The Otherworld
- Religion
- A Continued Dissection
- The Little Man vs The Great Man
- On the Importance of Names
- Feminism and Fantasy Literature
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to determine the extent of J.R.R. Tolkien's influence on modern fantasy literature, using Patrick Rothfuss's The Kingkiller Chronicles as a case study. It examines shared themes and motifs between Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and Rothfuss's work, highlighting similarities and differences. The analysis considers the pre-Tolkien landscape of fantasy literature to fully grasp the impact of Tolkien's work.
- Tolkien's influence on world-building in modern fantasy.
- Shared narrative structures and character archetypes between The Lord of the Rings and The Kingkiller Chronicles.
- The evolution of fantasy subgenres and their relationship to Tolkien's legacy.
- Comparison of thematic elements, such as the roles of "little men" versus "great men."
- The impact of Tolkien's linguistic creativity on subsequent fantasy authors.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: The introduction posits The Lord of the Rings as a foundational text for modern fantasy literature, acknowledging its pre-existence but highlighting its undeniable influence on contemporary works. It establishes the paper's focus on comparing Tolkien's work to Patrick Rothfuss's The Kingkiller Chronicles as a representative example of modern high fantasy, justifying this choice based on the Chronicles' success and critical acclaim. The introduction briefly outlines the paper's structure, promising to examine both similarities and differences between the two works and conclude with a reflection on the overall state of modern fantasy.
Methodology: This chapter defines the scope of the analysis, focusing primarily on The Lord of the Rings and selectively using Tolkien's other works only when necessary. It outlines a comparative approach, examining shared themes and motifs between Tolkien's work and The Kingkiller Chronicles, with occasional use of biographical analysis. The chapter explains the choice of The Kingkiller Chronicles as the case study, highlighting its popularity and the decision to focus on a single work for a more concise and complete analysis.
Myth Making and World Building: This chapter delves into the creation of detailed fictional worlds in both The Lord of the Rings and The Kingkiller Chronicles. It explores the construction of languages, cultures, histories, and mythologies, comparing Tolkien’s meticulously crafted world with Rothfuss’s approach to worldbuilding. The similarities and differences in the narrative frameworks and the use of songs, poetry, maps and calendars would be analyzed to understand how both authors built believable and immersive worlds. The impact of these world-building elements on the overall narrative and reader experience is discussed.
A Continued Dissection: This chapter delves into specific thematic and stylistic comparisons between the two chosen works, exploring aspects such as the "little man vs. the great man" archetype, the importance of names and their significance in shaping character and narrative, and the presence or absence of feminist themes within the narrative and their reflection of societal values of the respective eras.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Patrick Rothfuss, The Kingkiller Chronicles, high fantasy, world-building, myth-making, narrative structure, character archetypes, comparative literature, fantasy literature, influence, literary analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Tolkien and Rothfuss's High Fantasy
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the extent of J.R.R. Tolkien's influence on modern fantasy literature, using Patrick Rothfuss's The Kingkiller Chronicles as a primary case study. It examines shared themes, motifs, and narrative structures between Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and Rothfuss's work, highlighting both similarities and differences.
What methodology is used in this analysis?
The analysis employs a comparative approach, focusing primarily on The Lord of the Rings and The Kingkiller Chronicles. It examines shared themes and motifs, utilizes occasional biographical analysis, and considers the pre-Tolkien landscape of fantasy literature to fully understand Tolkien's impact.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include Tolkien's influence on world-building in modern fantasy; shared narrative structures and character archetypes between the two works; the evolution of fantasy subgenres; a comparison of thematic elements, such as the "little man vs. great man" archetype; and the impact of Tolkien's linguistic creativity on subsequent fantasy authors.
What aspects of world-building are compared?
The paper compares the creation of detailed fictional worlds in both works, exploring the construction of languages, cultures, histories, and mythologies. It analyzes the narrative frameworks, the use of songs, poetry, maps, and calendars, and the impact of these elements on the overall narrative and reader experience.
What specific thematic and stylistic comparisons are made?
The analysis delves into specific thematic and stylistic comparisons, including the "little man vs. great man" archetype, the importance of names in shaping character and narrative, and the presence or absence of feminist themes within the narratives.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured with an introduction establishing its focus and methodology; a methodology chapter outlining the analytical approach; a chapter on myth-making and world-building; a chapter on further thematic comparisons; and a concluding chapter summarizing the findings.
What are the key takeaways from this study?
The study aims to illuminate the lasting influence of Tolkien's work on contemporary fantasy literature, showcasing both the continuation of established tropes and the evolution of the genre. It highlights the complexities of world-building, character development, and thematic exploration within high fantasy.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include: J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Patrick Rothfuss, The Kingkiller Chronicles, high fantasy, world-building, myth-making, narrative structure, character archetypes, comparative literature, fantasy literature, influence, and literary analysis.
- Quote paper
- Ezra Magnus Mähler (Author), 2020, The Influence of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy on modern Fantasy literature. Patrick Rothfuss’ "The Kingkiller Chronicles" as an example, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1301041
