Tree of Tales: Tolkien, Literature, and Theology

by Trevor Hart (Editor), Ivan Khovacs (Editor)

Overview

This work examines the theological relationship between creation and creativity in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. It does so by bringing together a synthesis of various disciplines and perspectives to the creativity of J.R.R. Tolkien. Hart and Khovacs provide a fresh reading of these important themes in Tolkien, and the result captures the multi-faceted nature of Tolkien's own vivid theology and literary imagination.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781932792645
Publisher:	Baylor University Press
Publication date:	04/01/2007
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.43(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Trevor Hart is Rector of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, St Andrews, Canon Theologian of St Ninian’s Cathedral, Perth and Honorary Professor of Divinity at the University of St Andrews.

Ivan Khovacs is Senior Lecturer at Cantebury Christ Church University.

Table of Contents

Preface

1. Tolkien, St. Andrews, and Dragons

2. The Fairy story: J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis

3. Tolkien’s Mythopoesis

4. Tolkien, Creation, and Creativity

5. Tolkien and the Future of Literary studies

6. Tolkien and the Subversion of Power

7. Tolkien’s Augustinian Understanding of Good and Evil: Why The Lord of the Rings Is Not Manichean

Bibliography

List of contributors

What People are Saying About This

This collection on Tolkien's fiction ought to be in every Tolkien lover's library. The true genius of this volume is its collective appreciation for Tolkien's literary theory and how these works form the intellectual, artistic, and theological foundations for all his fiction. This superb collection ought to draw renewed attention not only to Tolkien's theories of the purpose and function of literature, especially fantasy literature, but also to the application of those theories to his own literature and that of other mythopoeic writers. This is one of the best anthologies on Tolkien I have ever read.

Ted Sherman

This collection on Tolkien's fiction ought to be in every Tolkien lover's library. The true genius of this volume is its collective appreciation for Tolkien's literary theory and how these works form the intellectual, artistic, and theological foundations for all his fiction. This superb collection ought to draw renewed attention not only to Tolkien's theories of the purpose and function of literature, especially fantasy literature, but also to the application of those theories to his own literature and that of other mythopoeic writers. This is one of the best anthologies on Tolkien I have ever read.

Christopher W. Mitchell

A fresh and provocative literary and theological analysis of Tolkien’s oeuvre.

Stratford Caldecott

Tree of Tales proves once again the inexhaustible richness of Tolkien's work. The papers gathered here by a range of distinguished commentators make a real contribution to the growing field of Tolkien scholarship. The book would be a useful addition to any library concerned with the inter-relationship of theology and literature.

Editorial Reviews

Careful, comprehensive, and critical without being dismissive

Themelios - Wesley Vander Lugt

A fresh and provocative literary and theological analysis of Tolkien's oeuvre.

Christopher W. Mitchell

A fresh and provocative literary and theological analysis of Tolkien's oeuvre

- Christopher W. Mitchell, Wade Center, Wheaton College

From the Publisher