Fictional beings in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien: The creation of a new mythology

The purpose of this thesis is to show how J.R.R. Tolkien created a new mythology by examination of the fictional beings within the literature. The focus will be on his most popular novels: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King), as well as touching on The Silmarillion. This work will examine three points: Tolkien's background and profession to highlight his interest in mythology (and the sources he used); Tolkien's philosophy of and methods used in writing fiction, a process dubbed sub-creation; and finally, specific examples of the previous two points in action, showing how the mythical beings used in his fiction are unique and how they affect the new mythology. By providing an overview of Tolkien's life and professional career, this thesis will provide insight on some of the sources from which he drew inspiration. Tolkien's philosophical and artistic beliefs towards his literature will follow; these beliefs helped shape the fictional beings of his stories. The final sections will examine the beings themselves in three groups, and will be divided into three sub-sections: those that have their origins in traditional mythology but were changed to suit the author's needs, those that were left largely unchanged, and those that were invented whole. [The final product will bring enlightenment and understanding of the novels as a whole, as these beings, as both characters and entities, are given such emphasis by the author that they are a central element of the fiction, and have the greatest impact on the new mythology Tolkien created.].