Episode 100: What I’m Tolkien About

In celebration of their 100th episode, Em and Dr. Jessie Noose of 'Ask a Medievalist' dive deep into J.R.R. Tolkien’s legacy, examining his profound influence as a medievalist, linguist, and author. They explore how Tolkien’s creation of Middle-earth was both a homage to and a deliberate rebuttal to Richard Wagner’s mythologized Germanic epics, particularly the Ring Cycle. The hosts highlight Tolkien’s conscious effort to counter Wagner’s glorification of the singular heroic figure—embodied by Siegfried—with the collective, humble Fellowship of the Ring, where success comes not from strength or purity, but from duty, vulnerability, and community. They discuss how Tolkien’s own wartime experiences, anti-fascist values, and evolving views on race and representation (especially regarding the dwarves and the character of Gimli) reflect a complex attempt to reclaim myth for ethical ends. The episode also addresses the troubling irony that despite Tolkien’s intentions, far-right movements in Italy and elsewhere have co-opted his work as a nationalist parable, demonstrating how even well-intentioned myth-making can be distorted. The hosts conclude with a tribute to Christopher Tolkien, who spent his life preserving and refining his father’s legacy, ensuring it remains relevant and ethically grounded in contemporary fantasy. Key takeaways include: 1) Tolkien’s work is a deliberate counter-narrative to Wagner’s fascist-inflected mythmaking, emphasizing collective effort over singular heroism; 2) The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings are not just fantasy stories but layered critiques of nationalism, racism, and toxic masculinity; 3) Even well-intentioned creators can be co-opted by ideologies they oppose, underscoring the need for critical engagement with myth; 4) Tolkien’s evolution on issues like antisemitism—seen in the transformation of dwarves from stereotypical figures to characters like Gimli—shows that creators can grow; 5) The enduring power of myth lies in its ability to be reinterpreted, for better or worse, and thus demands ongoing vigilance.