Oxonmoot 2024

In response to Hayao Miyazaki's interview regarding his distaste for Hollywood and The Lord of the Rings, this synthesis essay aims to compare the works of Hayao Miyazaki with J.R.R. Tolkien’s to ascertain that the two are more alike than one would think. Although, they share different viewpoints their central focus is on nature. This essay will dissect how themes of environmentalism and the devastation of war are similar. Therefore, if possible, my essay will attempt to bring these two greats together.

Tolkien was, as we know, an avid, one might even say passionate, pipe smoker. Pipe smoking was also an ingrained part of Hobbit culture and the source of some pride for them, as “Hobbits first put it into pipes”. From the Hobbits, the art (as they preferred to call it) spread to various other folk, to Dwarves and Dúnedain, Bree-dwellers and Wizards. Some of Tolkien’s readers feel uncomfortable with this, as pipe smoking is definitely not in vogue in today’s society. – This non-judgmental paper will explore both Tolkien’s own attachment to the pipe smoking art, and the role  it plays in his books.

This paper delves into J.R.R. Tolkien's lesser-known poem "The Fall of Arthur" to unravel its mythic significance within the broader context of Arthurian literature. This research aims to elucidate Tolkien's unique mythopoeic techniques and their transformative impact on the portrayal of the Arthurian legend. By analysing the interplay between myth and history in Tolkien's construction of the Arthurian narrative, this paper sheds light on the possibility of a modern legacy, despite its unfinished state, in "The Fall of Arthur". This investigation not only enriches our understanding of Tolkien's creative genius but also highlights the profound influence of his mythic vision on Arthurian literature. By uncovering the mythopoeic elements in "The Fall of Arthur" and tracing their reverberations throughout Arthurian literary tradition, this paper offers fresh insights into the enduring allure of the Arthurian legend and its significance within the broader landscape of cultural mythology.