Abstract
Tolkien’s legendarium features many characters who have lost one or both parents through death or abandonment, and who are consequently fostered or adopted. While there are many positive depictions of fostering in the legendarium, the cases of Kullervo and especially Túrin Turambar stand out because of their similar tragic outcomes involving sibling incest followed by suicide. The contrast between the depiction of fostering in these stories is stark: The Story of Kullervo depicts a case of poor fostering involving violence and neglect, whereas The Children of Húrin describes a loving and nurturing foster environment for its hero, Túrin. Both tales contain mythical elements of magic and curses, and yet Tolkien includes sociological and psychological factors that play a large role in the destinies of these tragic heroes. This paper draws upon psychological studies of adoptees and explores how Tolkien combines mythical structure with elements from his own experience as an orphan and a fosterling.
Recommended Citation
Dawson, Deidre
(2024)
"Tolkien’s Orphaned Heroes: Kullervo, Húrin and the Limits of Fostering,"
Journal of Tolkien Research: Vol. 19:
Iss.
1, Article 11.
Available at:
https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol19/iss1/11
Comments
This is an extended version of my paper “Tolkien’s Orphaned Heroes,” which I presented at the Leeds International Medieval Congress on 06 July 2022