Imitation

Emulation of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

How Did Prof. Tolkien Write?

Tolkien is known as a proponent of modern fantasy novels. He is best known for his mystical, and imaginative usage of setting throughout his novels. He often does this by incorporating events of impossibility to create fantastic landscapes such as the roaming hills of Hobbiton, or the woods of Thranduil.

To continue, Tolkien has often used unique characters to inspire creativity, and to provide a fantasy theme to his works. He often incorporates imaginary races, and often has said races develop unique features which create interesting character dynamics throughout the stories. They often have quirky characteristics such as Gandalf in The Hobbit who speaks in rhymes, and often creates long drawn out dialogue to mess with other characters.

In addition, the usage of structure in Tolkien's works often mimics one of a Jungian nature. The Jungian archetype is one which houses a main hero, encouraging wise man, evil villain, and a multitude of distracting events. Such events are present throughout novels such as The Hobbit.

- Emulation -

There was a dwarf who lived on a mountain. Not a cold, staggering, looming, desolate, and snow covered mountain: It was a warm, green mountain covered with verdant, emerald trees. He lived in a cabin made of the towering, imposing, and simultaneously comforting oaks of old. The roofing beamed from the moss reflecting the golden sun which seemingly sat mere feet from the tip of the billowing chimney. The porch dimly lit by an oil sparked, rusted lamp; the flame flickered, and yet was unwavering nonetheless. The creaking of the rocking chair masterfully carved by an outstanding artisan, creaked against the wood; so similar to one another one might question why they haven't simply melded together. The birds of old whispered, but their voices boomed upon the reverberation of noise from the endlessly tall mountainscape. To say one might have heard a pin dropped at the tip of the mountain at the very base would be no exaggeration. The loud, thunder crackling, mountain splitting noise of the Dwarvish boots slamming against the hard dirt path leading upwards on the mountainside carried far and wide. One might even develop a misconception that an ancient giant was clamoring around, and beating tree to rock, and rock to tree. Nonetheless, the proponent of greatness must make an appearance when given such a grand presentation. Baldur, the Dwarven Duke, who bore no less than one hundred pounds of gold and gems on his body, waltzed towards his cabin as leisurely as an aristocrat with a guaranteed fortune may have. He continued his steps in a beat, one two three four - one two three - one two - one two three four. He stepped to the rhythm of a classic Dwarven war song, "Me and Mead''. His head filled with half notes and pauses, began to experience a moment of appalment and shock upon the realization that he was not the first to return to his grandeur abode. He reached for his mighty axe which was strapped neatly, and bound by leather to his back, and began to investigate what may be the intruder. However, he began enticed at the smell of soup, mead, and smoke which filled the kitchen of his home, and flowed mystically towards him in a mystical manner. Baldur now walked at a pace which reflected both his curiosity and worry. He broke said pace immediately thereafter, as he jumped into the kitchen with his axe held high and his fist clenched in front of him. However, he was instantaneously relieved upon the realization that his intruder was no more than the Brown Wizard Radagast. He had come to bear news of the finding of the Arkenstone, and that the Prince Thorin, had taken claim to his ancestor's throne at the Lonely Mountain. It was time to depart.

What Exactly Did I Emulate?

For the author's emulation, I decided to largely incorporate Tolkien's tendency to over-explain the setting, and his fantasy characters. I also incorporated a slight Jungian archetype through the introduction of a new character, and the presence of a wise man who has come to inform him of a potential journey. I very clearly incorporated the description of the setting when I wrote, "Not a cold, staggering, looming, desolate, and snow covered mountain: It was a warm, green mountain covered with verdant, emerald trees. He lived in a cabin made of the towering, imposing, and simultaneously comforting oaks of old. The roofing beamed from the moss reflecting the golden sun which seemingly sat mere feet from the tip of the billowing chimney. The porch dimly lit by an oil sparked, rusted lamp; the flame flickered, and yet was unwavering nonetheless. The creaking of the rocking chair masterfully carved by an outstanding artisan, creaked against the wood; so similar to one another one might question why they haven't simply melded together. The birds of old whispered, but their voices boomed upon the reverberation of noise from the endlessly tall mountainscape." While this may seem like a large chunk of the emulation, it is safe to say Tolkien did the exact same thing numerous times throughout his novels, and often choose to create an environment that is easily imaginable following a large amount of description. Next, I utilized fantasy characters through the introduction of talking crows, and a Dwarven Duke. These characters are unique, and follow Tolkien's theme of incorporating new diverse races, and languages. Lastly, I used a slight Jungian archetype by showcasing the prowess of Duke Baldur, and the classic wise man which encourages the beginning of a journey. This is seen through Radagast, the Brown Wizard, encouraging Baldur to set out and meet the new King of the Lonely Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield.

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