Arda Remade (and Remade, and Remade…); or, Entropy, Einstein’s Blackboard, and R=cⅇ^(α(t-t_0 )∕3) [sin⁡〖β/2 (t-t_0 )〗 ]^(2∕3), being an Exploration of Overlapping Themes in the Venn Diagram of the History of Middle-earth, the History of Middle-earth, and the History of Twentieth Century Cosmology

Authors

Kristine Larsen, Central Connecticut State UniversityFollow

Abstract

The concept of the "long defeat" in Tolkien's works has been widely studied, and connections drawn to the scientific idea of entropy. This paper extends those studies through the lenses of the history and popularization of science in Tolkien's lifetime, in particular drawing connections to the so-called phoenix or cyclic universe models. In addition, previously published work on cyclical time in Tolkien's works is extended to include scientific concepts of the three arrows of time.

Comments

Expanded from a combination of two conference presentations, the keynote of the April 2, 2022 Tolkien in Vermont Conference (University of Vermont) and the June 24, 2022 Myth, Imagination, Literature: 6^th Tolkien Conference in Budapest (Virtual)

Recommended Citation

Larsen, Kristine (2023) "Arda Remade (and Remade, and Remade…); or, Entropy, Einstein’s Blackboard, and R=cⅇ^(α(t-t_0 )∕3) [sin⁡〖β/2 (t-t_0 )〗 ]^(2∕3), being an Exploration of Overlapping Themes in the Venn Diagram of the History of Middle-earth, the History of Middle-earth, and the History of Twentieth Century Cosmology," Journal of Tolkien Research: Vol. 16: Iss. 2, Article 2.
Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol16/iss2/2