Logan R.

Hunt
Jane Blakelock
English 2100-31
Assignment 1, 04FEB16
Assignment 2: Annotated Bibliography
Shippey, T. A. J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2001. Print.
The core of the Shippeys book examines Lord of the Rings as a language and cultural
map and a response to the meaning of mythology. The book also examines The Hobbit
and The Silmarillion; both worlds of Tolkien. Shippey's also presents valuable data on the
lesser known facts and works of J.R.R. Tolkiens. Shippey investigates into many areas
of Tolkiens work to identify how it was completed. Tolkien referenced much of his work
from intellectual conversations with his colleagues; The Inklings. The Inklings was an
organization of scholarly men who studied the art of Literature. Shippey also presents the
work of other literature that Tolkien references in his books. One common example is an
old English poem titled: Exodus. Exodus and many other old English poems paraphrased
the Bible. Shippeys work addresses the audience in a informative way, while presenting
accurate facts concerning Tolkien and his work.
Carpenter, Humphrey. J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2000. Print.
Humphrey Carpenter creates an informative biography of the creator of Middle Earth;
J.R.R. Tolkien. Carpenter dives into the life of Tolkien from his youth years at the oratory
and discovering God, to the hardships of World War 1 serving at the Battle of the Somme,
and lastly to the years at Oxford and creating the vast world of Middle Earth. Carpenter
presents his research with numerous references. Arthur Tolkien and parents base the
account of family life in England on letters, other such information regarding Tolkien was
located in manuscripts written by Tolkien himself. The audience that Carpenter presents
this biography to is the inquisitive minds of Middle Earth and the life of a great author.
Hunt, III, Arthur W. Back to the Shire: From English Village to Global Village and back Again.
Modern Age. 2009.
Arthur Hunt writes an article describing the connection between modern United States
and the iconic land of J.R.R. Tolkiens Shire. Hunt applies first hand experience of
industrialism and the shift in culture directly from is small city in Tennessee. This
firsthand experience provides a new and surreal view at Tolkien's line of thought when
creating the immersive world of Middle Earth. Hunt also references the early stages of
the United States under the guidance and direction of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was a
wealthy farmer who sought to preserve the national and its resources by establishing a
land of agrarian farmers. Although this course of action did not go as planned, Jefferson
proved that industrialism would alter the environment. The resources used by Hunt
include historical references and also personal viewpoints guided through intense
research and structure. This article can be used to see a first hand view point of
industrialism within the United States and for those interested in the works of Tolkien and
Environmentalism.

Pearce, Joseph. Tolkien: Man and Myth. San Francisco: Ignatius, 1998. Print.
Joseph Pearce explores the myth of Tolkiens work by confronting the facts and
identifying the true motive. Pearce goes in depth with the friendship that developed
between C.S. Lewis and Tolkien. This relationship enables Tolkien to build a friendship
and a novel that would be a journey for the reader. Pearce explore the significance of
Middle Earth; the world of Tolkien, and the meaning behind it. Tolkiens work deals with
a heavy amount of mythology and fantasy. Pearce is able to put the meaning behind the
myth and make it seem part of reality. The resources that Pearce uses are a direct link to
Tolkien. Pearce had the opportunity to meet with a member of the Inklings, which was
the famous scholar group Tolkien was apart of. The meeting allowed for much of the
myth to come into reality for Tolkien. Pearce is also accredited for using sources in
partnership with Harper Collins who held publication rights to Tolkiens work and
manuscripts. Pearce writes to inform the audience but also to prove a point regarding the
myth behind why Tolkien wrote.
Chance, Jane, Alfred K. Siewers, and John Holmes. Tolkiens Modern Middle Ages. New York:
Palgrave Macmillan, 2005. Print.
Jane Chance with a combination of various professionals within the Tolkien world,
explores different symbolism and references that has been incorporated within Tolkiens
creation. The exert written by Dr. John Holmes of Franciscan University directly
references the Victorian Period within The Lord of the Rings. The use of Victorianism
within the Tolkien works allows for readers to identify the sources and experiences that
Tolkien was able to base much of his work off of. The availability of resources by the
many professional within Literature and Tolkien itself, allows for Jane Chance to publish
a very informative book that dissects many faces of Tolkien and Middle Earth. Tolkiens
Modern Middle Ages is written to answer many question to why Tolkien wrote a certain
way and to also make connections to many unanswered references within his work.
Stuart Leeand and Elizabeth Solopova. The Keys of Middle Earth. Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.
Print.
Leeand and Solopova both create a book regarding Tolkien and the key aspects of his
work. The large content of the book is in regards specifically to The Hobbit and The Lord
of the Rings. Leeland and Solopova directly focus on Tolkiens focus on Old and Middle
English, as well as Old Norse Literature. These three main focuses of literature within the
book explain the reasons and influences to Tolkien's work. Other works offered within
this book include translated essays and poems of older literature and works of Tolkien.
This allows readers to understand and comprehend the detailed work with ease. Leeland
and Solopova reference most of their work from previous creations of Tolkien and
examples drawn from Tolkiens sources such as Old Norse Literature. This is a direct
connection to Tolkien himself and his motivators as well. This book creates a bridge for
readers to identify the answer to how Tolkien was inspired to create the Middle Earth
fantasy.