An Exploration of ‘Orientalism’ within J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings

Mgr. Kayhan Kafalier

Master's thesis

Anotácia:

This thesis will offer a reading of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings through the theoretical lens of Postcolonialism. To provide a literary background, the book will be compared with works of Classical literature; examining their similarities with The Lord of the Rings and tracing their legacy within Tolkien’s work. To further develop the critical analysis through postcolonial theory, influence will be drawn from historical texts and corresponding phenomena. The focus will be on examining the applicability of such phenomena, rather than exposing allegorical representations. The aim will be to interpret the manifestations of Orientalism within the work considering its cultural, social, and political aspects.

Abstract:

This thesis will offer a reading of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings through the theoretical lens of Postcolonialism. To provide a literary background, the book will be compared with works of Classical literature; examining their similarities with The Lord of the Rings and tracing their legacy within Tolkien’s work. To further develop the critical analysis through postcolonial theory, influence will be drawn from historical texts and corresponding phenomena. The focus will be on examining the applicability of such phenomena, rather than exposing allegorical representations. The aim will be to interpret the manifestations of Orientalism within the work considering its cultural, social, and political aspects.

Keywords

Tolkien, Said, Orientalism, Postcolonial, East/West dichotomy, Classical literature, Epic

Jazyk práce: English

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 4. 6. 2021

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 30. 6. 2021
• Vedúci: B.A. Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel
• Oponent: doc. Mgr. Janka Kaščáková, PhD.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / odbor:
English Language and Literature / English Language and Literature