Abstract
Tolkien’s approach to war is often considered through the lens of “just war” theory. Its main principles are the necessity of a just cause for war, proper conduct in battle, and the use of proper weapons; if possible, war should be avoided. The Lord of the Rings suggests an ethical framework inspired by this theory; however, the earlier Legendarium is more accepting of military conflicts and their harsh reality. Tolkien's attitude to war appears to shift in the mid-late 1930s, the time of intense debates about just war and pacifism among British Catholics. This paper discusses the evolution of his views of war in the context of these debates and proposes reading the war in The Lord of the Rings as a rejection of modern warfare.
Recommended Citation
Retakh, Alexander
(2025)
"Just War, Pacifism, and Inevitability of Conflict: Tolkien’s Changing Attitudes to War,"
Journal of Tolkien Research: Vol. 21:
Iss.
1, Article 9.
Available at:
https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol21/iss1/9
Comments
Extended version of the paper presented at the 21st Annual UVM Tolkien Conference, University of Vermont, April 5, 2025.