A Deliberate Construction Of Mythology In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion

Abstract

This essay explores John Ronald Reuel Tolkien’s mythmaking and his purposeful creation of a mythology that functions as a feigned history of England in his The Silmarillion regarding mythical imagination. The text is the result of Tolkien’s lifelong endeavour to develop a comprehensive mythology that includes both religious and cosmic elements. It includes accounts of a diverse pantheon of gods and goddesses, eschatological beliefs, creation myths, and epic stories that show how mythical, historical, and fantastical aspects can coexist. One can distinguish between good and evil based on how they interact with and respect nature. This is demonstrated in the text by the dichotomy of chaos and order in nature, which is depicted in mythical terms through the interplay of many elements that stand for good and evil. The fundamental myths of Tolkien’s secondary realm are entwined with nature. The stories about the races and particular individuals grow alongside the myths about the land, and the place itself, Middle-earth, emerges as a major figure in the legendarium’s overall plot. Tolkien’s mastery of sub-creative mythmaking is evident throughout his legendarium. The many stories that cover his mythopoeic realm are incredibly intricate and meticulous. This intricacy is evident at both the thematic and narrative levels. Tolkien’s work retains a sense of familiarity despite the complex and deep mythic framework, which adds to its popularity. By using well-known fantasy and mythic fiction patterns and tropes and bringing them to life with his own unique creative vision, he becomes one of the genre’s leading proponents.