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The Mismeasure of Orcs

By Tally, Robert T.

The Mismeasure of Orcs Contemporary literature

The Mismeasure of Orcs

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Description
"Despite its well-earned reputation as the richest world in fantasy, there exists a notable, troubling problem in Tolkien's legendarium: the existence of a sentient, rational being for whom no sympathy or moral feeling is ever shown. Examining the origin stories of the orc, which changed over time according to Tolkien's own worries about whether orcs were "redeemable," this book endeavors to show that these "inhuman" creatures are, in fact, among the most human (perhaps "all-too-human") to be found in The Lord of the Rings. This work discusses racism and class hierarchies in Tolkien's writings, contexts in which the characterization of orcs is particularly noticeable. But Tolkien's own writings reveal the nature of orcs to be worthy of sympathy, despite their often dehumanized or demonized depictions. Focusing on key scenes from The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings, this study uncovers the richly diverse cultures, as well as the distinctive personalities of various orcs, who turn out to be a far cry from the monsters they are taken to be in the popular imagination. A revised understanding of the orcs as a people presents Middle-earth's history, geopolitics, and cultural anthropology in a new light."-- Provided by publisher.
Product details
Binding:
Paperback
Number of Pages:
202
Release Date:
2025-06-19
Publication Date:
2025-06-19
Publisher:
McFarland
Languages:
Original: English
ISBN10:
1476694354
ISBN13:
9781476694351
Weight:
336 g
Height:
152 cm
Width:
229 cm
Thickness:
12 cm
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