1. THE HERO’S JOURNEY

2. How To Recognize Your Hero …

3. There will be an unusual circumstance at birth
1. Parentage
There will be an unusual circumstance at birth

4. The hero has a guide, mentor, or friend who is integral to his journey
2. Guide/ Friend
The hero has a guide, mentor, or friend who is integral to his journey

5. 3. Pursues a goal/quest where the fate of many is affected

6. 4. Hero must go on a journey

7. 5. Trip to the Underworld/ Darkness

8. 6. Danger is involved

9. 7. Success

10. 7. Special Qualities

11. 8. Weakness

12. Similar to an Epic
A long, narrative of the adventures of a legendary hero in pursuit of a goal of great importance.
Tone: Elegiac- Mourns for past

13. Tolkien’s Stories

14. Tolkien’s Influences Medieval historian Linguist Loved Beowulf
Believed in Mythology of
story-telling

15. World Wars I and II Soldier for Britain in World War I
Sees horrors of War
Begins Simarillion while recovering from Trench Fever

16. Symbolism not that easy
Some want to over-simplify Tolkien’s work by making Sauron a Hitler or the Ring an atomic bomb.
Devastation and evil of war is directly symbolic, according to Tolkien himself.

17. Industrialization/ Pollution
Post-Industrial Revolution= effects of pollution, factories, and urban living
Hobbits= Harness Nature
Elves= Harmonize with Nature
Sauron / Orcs= Destroy Nature for their own gain

18. Mythology/ Archetype Novel connects to Beowulf
Spiritual and Physical conflicts to be overcome

19. External Evil- Book 1
Book 1 shows the level of evil that must be conquered by physical force for Middle Earth to be saved.

20. Internal Evil- Book 2
This story explores the internal evil that must be conquered by spiritual heroism Book 3- Solves both conflicts

21. Heroism Defined
The hero must conquer both the external evil as well as defeat his inner demons to be successful.
(a la Beowulf)
Tolkien includes elements of the hero story like descent into underworld, weakness, and so forth.

22. The Journey Tolkien taps into the ancient pattern of the journey, too.
Hint: The journey is more than just completing a mission
(Think Odyssey)

23. Mythology of Middle Earth
Magical, yet familiar

24. Use of Songs and Poems
Connects current action with ancient legend
Adds weight to current events- epic in magnitude

25. Connection to the Anglo-Saxons?
Use of Family History
Great families are established and followed
Names sound familiar so can add to confusion (Boromir/ Faramir= brothers)
Connection to the Anglo-Saxons?

26. Use of Runes/ languages
Magical- create spells/ heal
Practical- send messages
Monumental- record achievements/ events
Decorative- used on swords/ rings

27. Familiar objects paired with exotic objects=
Setting Middle Earth
Familiar objects paired with exotic objects=
Magic!

28. THEMES TO BE EXPLORED

29. POWER AND ITS CORRUPTING INFLUENCE

30. Our relationship to Nature

31. Quest/ Journey

32. Fellowship/ Fraternity