The Only Thriller J.R.R. Tolkien (Never) Wrote: Jungian Shapes of Evil in “The New Shadow”

Authors

Martin Hauberg-Lund Laugesen, University of Southern DenmarkFollow
Bo Kampmann Walther, University of Southern DenmarkFollow

Abstract

J.R.R. Tolkien's The New Shadow, a fragment set in the Fourth Age of Middle-earth, offers a rich but often overlooked exploration of the psychological and cultural implications of peace following the defeat of Sauron. Although Tolkien abandoned the project, dismissing it as a mere “thriller”, the text presents significant insights into the dynamics of generational conflict, the origins of Evil, and the moral challenges of a post-heroic world. This paper examines The New Shadow through a dual lens: first, by contextualizing Tolkien’s depiction of good and evil within Christian ethical frameworks, and second, by applying Carl Gustav Jung’s psychological theories, including archetypes and the collective unconscious, to analyze the intergenerational tension between Borlas, the elder, and Saelon, the youth. This dynamic represents a deeper form of Evil—manifested not as an external threat but as an internal, psychological struggle exacerbated by the absence of tangible conflict. In contrast to traditional readings of Tolkien’s works, which often focus on external evils like orcs and trolls, this study reveals a more subtle, evolving force of darkness, one that resides within the psyche of Men. By reinterpreting The New Shadow through a Jungian lens, we argue that Tolkien’s fragment provides a unique reflection on the process of historical evolution and the existential disillusionment that accompanies the passage of time. This approach not only expands our understanding of Tolkien’s narrative intentions but also opens new avenues for interpreting the complexities of Evil and generational conflict in literary and psychological terms.

Recommended Citation

Laugesen, Martin Hauberg-Lund and Kampmann Walther, Bo (2025) "The Only Thriller J.R.R. Tolkien (Never) Wrote: Jungian Shapes of Evil in “The New Shadow”," Journal of Tolkien Research: Vol. 21: Iss. 2, Article 7.
Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol21/iss2/7