Darvish Intelligence: Tolkien’s Mythology: A Reflection of Northern European Tradition

Friday, September 13, 2024

Tolkien’s Mythology: A Reflection of Northern European Tradition

By Bobby Darvish

darvishintelligence.blogspot.com

J.R.R. Tolkien's works, especially The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, have long been celebrated as masterpieces of English literature and European mythology. These stories are deeply rooted in the mythological and cultural traditions of Northern Europe, with their themes, characters, and settings reflecting the Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic worlds. Recently, there has been a push to diversify adaptations of Tolkien’s works by introducing African and Asian characters as central figures, such as Elves, Hobbits, Dwarves, and Men. However, this approach runs contrary to Tolkien’s own descriptions and the philosophy behind his legendarium.

Tolkien’s intention with his legendarium was clear: to create a mythology for England and Northern Europe. In a letter to Milton Waldman, Tolkien described his desire to craft a mythology that was “largely concerned with the ‘noble north’” and that reflected the “great Northern spirit” of courage and endurance. He envisioned Middle-earth as a prehistory of Europe, particularly England, where the stories of The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings would be rooted in the ancient cultures of the region .

The racial and cultural characteristics of his characters align with this vision. The Elves, Hobbits, Dwarves, and Men are, in Tolkien’s world, portrayed as White, reflecting the mythological and historical peoples of Northern Europe. The Hobbits, for example, are described in The Fellowship of the Ring as “fairer skinned” and often having light brown or sandy hair. The Dwarves, too, reflect the stocky, bearded artisans of Norse and Germanic myth.

Specific Citations on Race in Tolkien’s Works

Tolkien was explicit in his depiction of the different races of Middle-earth, and while he did not often discuss skin color in modern racial terms, his descriptions leave little ambiguity. The Men of Rohan, for instance, are based on the Anglo-Saxons and are described as tall, fair-haired, and light-skinned. In The Two Towers, Éomer is introduced as having “white skin, light hair, and keen blue eyes” . The Elves, the most ethereal of Tolkien’s beings, are described with similar traits. In The Silmarillion, the Vanyar Elves, who dwell closest to the divine, are noted for their golden hair, while the Noldor and Sindar have either dark or silver hair, with pale skin to match .

Furthermore, Tolkien was clear about who the darker-skinned peoples of Middle-earth were: the Orcs. In The Two Towers, Frodo, Sam, and Gollum encounter “a small band of black Uruks from Mordor.” Additionally, the Easterlings and Southrons, who serve Sauron, are described as swarthy and darker-skinned, indicating their alignment with the forces of darkness. This portrayal is not intended as a racial condemnation but serves as a symbolic contrast between light and darkness, a common theme in European mythology.

In a letter to a fan, Tolkien clarified his views on race in The Lord of the Rings, stating that “the heroic figures in my books are, like the Northern mythologies, based on European peoples.” This reflects his broader vision for Middle-earth as a mythical prehistory of Europe. Importing characters from other ethnic backgrounds would distort the cultural and philosophical framework Tolkien meticulously constructed.

Canon and Philosophy of Tolkien’s Races

The push to diversify Tolkien’s works with African and Asian characters among the Elves, Hobbits, and Dwarves is not merely a cosmetic change—it fundamentally alters the philosophical underpinnings of his world. Tolkien’s legendarium is rooted in the myths of Northern Europe, where the archetypal heroes were often modeled on the Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, and other Germanic tribes. To introduce characters from completely different ethnic and cultural backgrounds would disrupt this foundational mythological structure.

Tolkien’s Middle-earth operates as a battleground between the forces of light and darkness, with light representing the free peoples of Middle-earth (Elves, Dwarves, Men, and Hobbits) and darkness represented by Sauron’s minions (Orcs, Southrons, and Easterlings). The color symbolism of light versus dark runs through much of European mythology, and Tolkien uses it to emphasize moral dichotomies. The Orcs, described as “black-skinned” and “slant-eyed” in The Return of the King , serve as the embodiment of corruption and evil, whereas the free peoples, who are generally described in terms that evoke light and purity, are aligned with goodness and moral uprightness.

The Incompatibility of Modern Diversity with Tolkien’s World

Attempts to diversify the central characters of Tolkien’s world undermine the historical and cultural specificity of his myth-making. While inclusion and diversity are valuable in modern storytelling, Tolkien’s works are deeply rooted in the myths and traditions of Northern Europe. To change the ethnic identities of the Elves, Hobbits, and Men is to ignore the specific cultural and historical contexts that shaped Tolkien’s vision.

For example, turning the Elves or Dwarves into African or Asian characters distorts their connection to the ancient myths of Europe. The Elves are largely based on the ljosálfar (light elves) of Norse mythology, ethereal beings of great beauty and wisdom. Dwarves, similarly, come from the dvergar of Norse myth, master craftsmen who dwell deep within the earth. These beings were never envisioned as representatives of a global humanity but as reflections of the peoples and cultures from which they were drawn.

Conclusion

Tolkien’s works are a celebration of English and European mythology, deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of the Northern European peoples. Introducing African and Asian characters as central figures such as Hobbits, Elves, and Dwarves distorts the racial and cultural dynamics Tolkien meticulously crafted. While modern adaptations may wish to introduce diversity, such changes are incompatible with the canon and philosophy of Tolkien’s legendarium. In his world, the peoples of Middle-earth—Hobbits, Elves, Men, and Dwarves—are White, reflecting their cultural and mythological origins, while the forces of darkness, such as Orcs, are black-skinned. Tolkien’s vision was of a mythic past for Northern Europe, and any alteration to that vision is a departure from his intent.