Beyond the Somme : war, sacrifice and heroism in the writing of JRR Tolkien

Abstract

JRR Tolkien's traumatic First World War experiences have been perceived as central to the literary development of his fantasy works, particularly The Lord of the Rings (1954-1956). Tolkien scholars have also provided a wider context for the effects of the First World War on his writing and a significant debate on Tolkien's place within the context of twentieth-century modernism and modernity has developed in recent years. Peter Jackson's film trilogy of The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) has provoked a discussion on the philosophy of Tolkien's experience and literary explorations of war. Central to the debate are the issues of 'relative' sacrifice and heroism embodied in Tolkien's two major narratives The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings as well as the potentialities for the extension of narrative heroism offered by the recent film trilogy of The Hobbit (2012-2014).