Abstract
J.R.R. Tolkien’s works tend to be viewed by both the public and by scholars through the lens of religious moralism, or else in the context of medievalism, such as with Tom Shippey’s arguments in The Road to Middle Earth. While these take much into consideration in their arguments, these and other works tend to ignore the influences of the Romantic literary movement on Tolkien’s work. This movement, lasting from the late 1700s to the early 1800s, held ideals like beauty and nature in the highest regard. This is seen in some of the most famous works of its time, such as Wordsworth’s The Prelude. While this connection has been noted before by scholars such as Julian Eilmann in J.R.R. Tolkien: Romanticist and Poet, there is much left unsaid about how Tolkien’s works, especially The Hobbit, tend to show characteristics that are starkly Romantic, such as his use of the elves and their cohabitation with nature.
A version of this article was presented at the 2025 PCA/ACA National Conference, where I argued that of the many ways the Romantic literary movement exhibits its inspiration in Tolkien’s works, the use of nature and references to domestic life are extremely prevalent, while exploring the way these affect the narrative and themes in specifically The Hobbit. In this article, I compare Bilbo’s yearning for the Shire to Felicia Heman’s domestic bliss in The Bride of the Greek Isle, as well as how Mirkwood, the elves, and Beorn invoke nature in the same way Wordsworth and Coleridge do. Finally, I explore how these themes not only inspired The Hobbit in the context of the Romantic movement, but also how these same ideas are what propel the forces of good to their victory over evil.
Recommended Citation
Schultz, James J.
(2025)
"Romanticism in Tolkien’s The Hobbit: Nature and Domestic Life as a Force for Good,"
Journal of Tolkien Research: Vol. 22:
Iss.
1, Article 11.
Available at:
https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol22/iss1/11