Abstract
This article uses Michel Foucault's theory of Panopticism, as outlined in his book Discipline and Punish as a framework for understanding the role of surveillance in Middle-earth throughout J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Drawing parallels between Foucault’s understanding of the Panopticon of Jeremy Bentham and Tolkien’s depiction of Sauron’s totalitarian vision, the paper explores the ways in which power operates invisibly through intermediaries, such as the Orcs and the Nazgûl, who internalize Sauron’s all-seeing gaze and perpetuate his dominion as well as through magical/technological means of gazing such as the Palantíri. This essay argues that, although Foucault's theory may elucidate the ways in which Tolkien's anti-industrialist sentiments manifest throughout his Middle-earth, ultimately, the Panopticon serves as a framework for understanding how evil functions for Tolkien, providing further insight into the complex moral philosophy of the author.
Recommended Citation
Birge, Isabel M.
(2025)
"Surveillance, Punishment, and Rebellion: The Eye of Sauron and Foucauldian Panopticism in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings,"
Journal of Tolkien Research: Vol. 21:
Iss.
1, Article 13.
Available at:
https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol21/iss1/13
