This essay argues that J.R.R. Tolkien changed the understanding of fairy
tales and fantasy literature through his academic and literary works. The accepted view
at the time of fairy tales was that they were the product of intellectually limited childish
minds trying to portray the world we live in in a symbolic fashion and have a very
limited function for the adult reader of today except as an anthropological curiosity. In
contrast, Tolkien focused on humanity’s desire to create new worlds and discuss the
fundamental truths of our existence independent of the primary world we live in.
Tolkien insisted that creating a secondary world, a fairy world that could attract the
attention of the reader, required a higher form of literary expression. The writer should
be able to create an “inner sense of consistency” so that the reader will be able to enter
and roam in this secondary world without feeling alienated. To create this extensive
secondary world, Tolkien used architecture and literature, which are the two most
fundamental forms of art that have the ability to express both our external and internal
experiences. He meticulously created an architectural style for each race living in this
secondary world, expressing their ecological awareness and aspirations. A professor of
Anglo-Saxon, he also created an output of literary works focused on poetry and songs
for different races indicative of their characteristic traits and history.
Keywords: Andrew Lang, Architecture, Conditions of the civilization, Disease of
mythology, Fairy tales, Fantasy, Fundamental forms, Humanity’s desire, J.R.R.
Tolkien, Literature, Lord of the Rings, Max Muller, Middle-earth, Modern,
Secondary world, Shelter, Sub-creation, Supernatural, The Hobbit.
