The word eucatastrophe (good catastrophe) was coined by J.R.R. Tolkien to describe what he believed was the essence and highest function of fairy-stories.
It is the sudden, unexpected joyous turn.
Tolkien explains, “In such stories when the sudden ‘turn’ comes we get a piercing glimpse of joy, and heart’s desire, that for a moment passes outside the frame, rends indeed the very web of story, and lets a gleam come through” (‘On Fairy-Stories’, 61).
Our latest content:
In November, the armies of Middle Earth will invade downtown Greenville
Hobbits, orcs, elves, dwarves, and other creatures from Middle Earth will descend on downtown Greenville this fall to celebrate English author JRR Tolkien, the beloved creator of “The Lord of the Rings.”
Tolkien fans are being encouraged to dress in their best Middle Earth costumes for the first annual “Celebrate Tolkien” conference, which will be held at the Old Cigar Warehouse November 9-10, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Our goal is honor and appreciate Tolkien’s work with this conference,” said organizer Dan Cruver. “We’re encouraging everyone
Hear Tolkien Scholar Joseph Pearce at Celebrate Tolkien
Along with 10 other presenters, England-born Tolkien scholar Joseph Pearce is presenting at the first annual Celebrate Tolkien Conference in Greenville, SC on November 9-10 at The Old Cigar Warehouse.
Joseph is a writer and the director of the Center for Faith and Culture at Aquinas College. Previously, he had comparable positions at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, Ave Maria College, and at Ave Maria University in Florida.
He’s the author of…
What Topics Would You Like to Hear About?
As you may know, we are hosting the first annual Celebration of JRR Tolkien this coming November 9-10 at the enchanting Old Cigar Warehouse in Greenville, South Carolina. We are thrilled to be bringing together some of the world’s leading Tolkien experts, artists, performers, and authors of our day. Celebrate Tolkien will be a wonderful two-day event.
So…here is our question: if you were to come, what topics on Tolkien and Middle-earth would you like our presenters to address?
Our First Annual Celebrate Tolkien Event
You are invited to attend the first annual Celebration of JRR Tolkien at the enchanting Old Cigar Warehouse in Greenville, South Carolina on November 9-10, 2017. This event will feature presentations by some of the world’s leading Tolkien experts, artists, performers, and authors of our day. The presentations are not the only part of the celebration. Also join us for a pipe smoking competition, Hobbit games, and Middle Earth themed food and music.
Was J.R.R. Tolkien a Genius?
Over at Slate.com, Danielle Maurer gives four reasons why she believes J.R.R. Tolkien was a genius. Here are the first two: World-building ability: As far as I'm concerned, no one has ever topped Tolkien here. His world has such depth and feel...
The Chief Power of All the Rings…
“The chief power (of all the rings alike) was the prevention or slowing of decay…”
“If literature teaches us anything…”
If literature teaches us anything at all, it is this: that we have in us an eternal element, free from care and fear, which can survey the things in ‘life’ we call evil with serenity…
GLORFINDEL AND THE BALROG in The Silmarillion
This Silmarillion artwork is by Justin Gerard.
Tolkien’s home in Headington
Taken from the book ‘The Inklings of Oxford: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Their Friends’: “The Tolkiens moved to 76 Sandfield Road in Headington where they lived from 1953 until 1968.”
