Myth, Monomyth and Middle-earth
"Tolkien's Ordinary Virtues: Exploring the Spiritual Themes of the Lord of the Rings" by Mark Eddy Smith;
"J. R. R. Tolkien: Myth, Morality and Religion" by Richard L. Purtill;
"J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century" by Tom Shippey, T. A. Shippey.
"The Gospel According to Tolkien: Visions of the Kingdom in Middle-earth" by Ralph C. Wood;
"The Lord of the Rings: The Mythology of Power" by Jane Chance;
"Splintered Light: Logos and Language in Tolkien's World" by Verlyn Flieger.
The list goes ever on and on.
Note that the titles listed were not authored by 'fan-zine' writers nor are any of them a compilation of LOTR on-line 'bloggers' gabbling on about the color of Legolas' hair or the length of Gimli's mother's beard. The above-mentioned list of authors include professors of literature, religion, mythology and linguistics who have dedicated years of scholarship to the study of Tolkien's works.
No disrespect intended.
As a point of fact, the spectrum of commentary regarding Tolkien and Middle-earth ranges from fans engaging in discussions of Middle-earth minutiae with the zeal and persnicketiness of a Bible-study group to academics of standing who have placed their professional credibility on the line to 'follow their Bliss' and pursue what they believe to be the basic truths revealed in Tolkien's masterworks. (They save their serious pattering and 'fan-spiel' for Mythcons and OxonMoots.) Moreover, societies such 'The Tolkien Society' and 'The Mythopoeic Society' regularly publish journals ('The Mallorn' by the former and 'Mythlore' and 'Mythprint' by the latter) which offer articles and papers on the myriad aspects of Middle-earth.
Therefore another question must be asked: "Why?" Why have so many (including myself) devoted so much time and energy to the examination of the works of JRR Tolkien? Perhaps the promise of a basic, shared truth, interwoven in the tapestry of Tolkien's Middle-earth, is the force which compels us.
There are many who are not enchanted, in the least, by the world of Middle-earth, as we all know. Friends, family and co-workers roll their eyes and shake their heads when the subject turns to Tolkien. Depreciatory comments are quipped regarding the content and characters of LOTR or the mild mental or emotional debility by which Tolkien fans are believed to be afflicted.
One Denver Post columnist (who shall remain nameless for the
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