Abstract
For the most part, scholars of supernatural horror do not consider J. R. R. Tolkien a contributor to that genre, a conclusion supported by many Tolkien specialists. And yet, horror plays a major role in many of Tolkien’s works, specifically The Lord of the Rings. Indeed, “Fog on the Barrow-downs” is basically a tale of supernatural horror that Tolkien has incorporated into his epic. This article examines that chapter in that context, comparing it to a similar short story by E. F. Benson, and this approach not only highlights the links between Tolkien and contemporaneous supernatural horror—the shares themes and techniques that connect Tolkien’s fantasy to Benson’s ghost story—but also demonstrates that Tolkien, as a horror writer, could innovate and improve on his materials.
Recommended Citation
Henderson, Dylan L.
(2025)
""Cold Words, Heartless and Miserable": Tolkien's Approach to Supernatural Horror,"
Journal of Tolkien Research: Vol. 22:
Iss.
2, Article 7.
Available at:
https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol22/iss2/7
Included in
Children's and Young Adult Literature Commons, Literature in English, British Isles Commons