“A Natural Human Activity”: the Split Attraction Model as a tool for reading Tolkien’s Legendarium

Authors

• Sarah Courtis, Murdoch UniversityFollow

Abstract

The works of J.R.R. Tolkien have long been a refuge for readers seeking escape; a world of eucatastrophe where difference is celebrated, and friendship lauded. Despite his egalitarian themes, gatekeepers attempt to bar those living at the margins and intersections from reading themselves into the texts, denying that applicability which Tolkien called for in his own works. One such applicable interpretation of the legendarium is through the lens of asexuality and aromanticism. As there are no graphic sex scenes (though contrary to GRR Martin’s claims sex does exist in the world and is expanded upon in The Nature of Middle Earth), and romance is limited to select couples, it can be argued that the books are a natural space of recovery for queer readers who eschew the overly sexualised modern texts available and prefer ones where friendship is the most vital relationship to human (or elf, dwarf or hobbit) kind. In this article I will use the Split Attraction Model (SAM) to deconstruct the relationships between Frodo, Sam and Rosie; Legolas and Gimli; and Aldarion and Erendis, including the resulting generational trauma for their daughter Ancalimë. The close reading via this model will argue that these relationships show the wide variety of asexual and aromantic bonds between characters, and the destructive nature of compulsory heterosexuality. By reading Ace Spectrum experiences into the texts a typically othered group of people can find refuge and recovery and reject binary thinking.

Recommended Citation

Courtis, Sarah (2026) "“A Natural Human Activity”: the Split Attraction Model as a tool for reading Tolkien’s Legendarium," Journal of Tolkien Research: Vol. 24: Iss. 1, Article 5.
Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol24/iss1/5