I. Introduction
II. Background Info
III. Tolkien the Anglophile
IV. High School English
- Problem: Our english language education focuses almost entirely on mechanics and very little on the history of language and the poetry of words.
- Question: How can we use Tolkien's Middle-Earth to better understand our own linguistic history?
- Thesis: The literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien can be taught in conjunction with Old English literature to form a superior English curriculum.
II. Background Info
- Tolkien as an author and scholar (Basic bio, short and sweet)
- C.S. Lewis (in Tolkien’s English and Welsh 1955) “The man who does not study Old English literature “remains forever a child in the eyes of real students of English”,”
- The origins of Middle-Earth
- Idea of alternate history or secondary reality
- Influence of N. European languages/legends on his writing
- The importance of fantasy worlds
- Tolkien’s ideals
- Loss of purely English mythology due to Norman/Norse invasion
- Environmental influences
- Experiences in the First World War
III. Tolkien the Anglophile
- Concerning Hobbits
- Rohan: The Mounted Saxons
- Compare/Contrast Rohan and Anglo-Saxons both before and after 1066
IV. High School English
- Current curriculum requirements
- Reading comprehension
- Grammar and Mechanics
- Analytical vs. Creative writing
- My Curriculum
- Goals:
- Meet all English Curriculum guidelines
- Teach aesthetic writing skills in conjunction with basic mechanics
- Dissect the Saxon/Nordic roots of Tolkien’s Mythology
- Units:
- Rohan as compared to the Anglo-Saxons
- Creation Myths: comparing the Ainulindalë, Cædmon’s Hymn, and other legends
- Basic Structure: A high school (Upperclassmen) level English elective scheduled for one semester at Newton North (with a broader outline for a full year). Overall, an english course that uses Old English literature and Tolkien’s mythology as it’s base text, supplemented with historical context.