You are about to set foot on the road that will lead you through the most important quest of your life. J.R.R. Tolkien wrote, “It’s a dangerous business going out of your door. You step into the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.” In this tutorial we will focus on what is arguably the best quest novel ever written: Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. We will explore major themes of brotherhood, courage, and loyalty that will be an important part of your quest at Wabash.
We will examine some of the many unanswered questions Tolkien left both in and about the book. What did Tolkien mean when he called his book a “fundamentally religious and Catholic work”? What is the role of fate in the book? What is the meaning of the One Ring? There have been many contributions to the lore of Middle Earth since Tolkien wrote the book, most notably Peter Jackson’s film adaptation. How do the films and other scholarly essays enhance our understanding of the book?
Special Note: Students that sign up for this Tutorial must be able to participate in the immersion trip during Fall Break, October 13-14. We will be taking an overnight trip to Marengo Cave and the Hoosier National Forest.
