Tolkien at Oxford

Oxford University

3.9 (43)
EDUCATION

Podcasts that explore the relationship between J.R.R. Tolkien and Oxford University, where he both studied and worked.

11/16/2015

The Lord of the Rings: Tolkien's Legacy

60 years since the publication of the series' final volume, a distinguished panel explore Tolkien's literary legacy. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the publication of the final volume of Tolkien’s fantasy epic, The Lord of the Rings, the Bodleian Libraries and TORCH hosted a panel discussion on reactions to Tolkien’s work, then and now. The discussion was introduced by Elleke Boehmer (Acting TORCH Director and Professor of World Literature, University of Oxford), and chaired by Stuart Lee (Lecturer in English Literature, University of Oxford). In a series of three short talks, scholars considered Tolkien's legacy from a range of perspectives. Patrick Curry (Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Wales, Lampeter) addressed the question: “Is the Lord of the Rings a good book?”, describing Tolkien as a counter-culturalist who focused on the “primacy of storytelling”. Dimitra Fimi (Lecturer in English, Cardiff Metropolitan University) discussed the challenges and opportunities of teaching Tolkien's work, and examined why his work is rarely a compulsory part of the university curriculum in the UK. Andy Orchard (Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon, University of Oxford), who holds the same chair at the University of Oxford that Tolkien held from 1925 – 1945, explored Tolkien's contribution to academia, which he suggested rivals his contribution to fiction. The panel also discussed a range of topics, including uptake of Old Norse, the literary canon and Tolkien's work with DPhil students, in response to audience questions. Please visit www.torch.ox.ac.uk/tolkien for more information, or www.torch.ox.ac.uk/tolkien-review for a review of the discussion.

41 min
03/21/2011

Tolkien's Languages

These lectures cover an introduction to J R R Tolkien's career, show how medieval literature influenced his fiction, and consider the wider scheme Tolkien worked on linking his mythology to historical and other mythical events.

56 min
03/21/2011

Tolkien and Medieval Literature

These lectures cover an introduction to J R R Tolkien's career, show how medieval literature influenced his fiction, and consider the wider scheme Tolkien worked on linking his mythology to historical and other mythical events.

46 min
03/21/2011

J R R Tolkien 'Beyond the Shoreless Sea'

These lectures cover an introduction to J R R Tolkien's career, show how medieval literature influenced his fiction, and consider the wider scheme Tolkien worked on linking his mythology to historical and other mythical events.

52 min
03/21/2011

J R R Tolkien: Medievalist and Mythmaker

These lectures cover an introduction to J R R Tolkien's career, show how medieval literature influenced his fiction, and consider the wider scheme Tolkien worked on linking his mythology to historical and other mythical events.

51 min
04/13/2010

The Hobbit at the Bodleian: World Book Day

Judith Priestman, curator of the Bodleian library, discusses the World Book Day 2010 exhibition, where a selection of J.R.R. Tolkien's original artwork which was used to illustrate The Hobbit, was on display to the public. Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/

12 min
03/25/2010

Talking Tolkien: The influences of Medieval Literature on the Fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien

Stuart Lee and Elizabeth Solopova discuss the influences of medieval literature on the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien.

34 min
12/01/2008

Tolkien and Languages: Ancient and Invented

Interview with Dr Elizabeth Solopova from the Bodlian Library on the influence of medieval language on Tolkien's fiction.

28 min
10/23/2008

Tolkien and the Oxford English Dictionary: 'The Ring of Words'

A discussion with the authors of 'The Ring of Words', an exploration into Tolkien's work as a lexicographer for the Oxford English Dictionary.

43 min

9 Episodes

3.9

out of 5

43 Ratings

A good overview of Tolkien's Academic Career

01/25/2013

mdale70

This is not a course about the Lotr of the Rings series - rather it is a discussion of his academic career and professional/literary interests and work. I found the discussion of his methods for constructing languages and the discussion of the role of medieval mythology in his work expecially interesting. The audio quality was a bit difficult. I had no trouble understanding (or enjoying) either of the lecturers, but the audio was a bit quiet for my taste.
Having listened in person...

04/26/2012

James P Jospeh

Having listened to lectures by Dr Lee in person at informal clubs and having studied with Dr Sulopova for a term, I never found either of them dry or boring. There are many unpublished notes and lecture materials that both individuals have access to that most of us will never see unless we head to the Bodlein library and get permission to slog around in the archives. Dr Solopva's accent I never found to be at all in the way, even when we were reading Middle English. I very much enjoyed my studies with each, and I've found these lectures to be both informative and enjoyable. Even without the 'dreamy spires,' these lectures very much bring me back to sitting as a student at Oxford.
Disappointing

02/01/2012

Euphastes Birch

Very informative, but almost unlistenable. The instructor seems to be reading a prepared text. She reads mechanically, with limited inflection and labors under a heavy Ukrainian? accent. One can not always understand what is being said. Audio quality is quite poor. I'd drop the class.