Thesis Chapters by Eric Schweicher
Ghosts in Middle-Earth: Germanic, Norse and Anglo- Saxon Remnants in Tolkien’s Fictional World., 2009
The aim of this research paper is to focus on examples of ghostly
characters in Tolkien’ s fictio... more The aim of this research paper is to focus on examples of ghostly
characters in Tolkien’ s fictional works (mainly The Lord of the Rings, The
Hobbit and The Silmarillion) and explore the functions of such characters
within this author’ s imaginary world. The research draws on older works
such as Beowulf and the Scandinavian Sagas, e.g., to relate Tolkien’ s
supernatural characters to early medieval literary ghosts; it argues that
Tolkien used them on purpose to strengthen his fictional world and the
latter’ s social “reality,” to help recreate a complete and “ideal” early heroic
age. But the research also demonstrates that although Tolkien’ s ghosts are definitely Germanic in nature, they are also quite specific to the world of Middle-Earth that he created.
Papers by Eric Schweicher
This paper begins with an analysis of the evolution of the Fall in the Western tradition, which w... more This paper begins with an analysis of the evolution of the Fall in the Western tradition, which will be compared with its image in Middle-earth. The Ainulindalë and the Quenta Silmarillion will be examined to show how Vala, Elf, Dwarf, and Man fall into corruption, and the consequences of this fall.
This paper begins with an analysis of the evolution of the Fall in the Western tradition, which w... more This paper begins with an analysis of the evolution of the Fall in the Western tradition, which will be compared with its image in Middle-earth. The Ainulindalë and the Quenta Silmarillion will be examined to show how Vala, Elf, Dwarf, and Man fall into corruption, and the consequences of this fall
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Thesis Chapters by Eric Schweicher
characters in Tolkien’ s fictional works (mainly The Lord of the Rings, The
Hobbit and The Silmarillion) and explore the functions of such characters
within this author’ s imaginary world. The research draws on older works
such as Beowulf and the Scandinavian Sagas, e.g., to relate Tolkien’ s
supernatural characters to early medieval literary ghosts; it argues that
Tolkien used them on purpose to strengthen his fictional world and the
latter’ s social “reality,” to help recreate a complete and “ideal” early heroic
age. But the research also demonstrates that although Tolkien’ s ghosts are definitely Germanic in nature, they are also quite specific to the world of Middle-Earth that he created.
Papers by Eric Schweicher
characters in Tolkien’ s fictional works (mainly The Lord of the Rings, The
Hobbit and The Silmarillion) and explore the functions of such characters
within this author’ s imaginary world. The research draws on older works
such as Beowulf and the Scandinavian Sagas, e.g., to relate Tolkien’ s
supernatural characters to early medieval literary ghosts; it argues that
Tolkien used them on purpose to strengthen his fictional world and the
latter’ s social “reality,” to help recreate a complete and “ideal” early heroic
age. But the research also demonstrates that although Tolkien’ s ghosts are definitely Germanic in nature, they are also quite specific to the world of Middle-Earth that he created.