Tolkien and the Kalevala [Paperback]

Preface

Acknowledgements

1. Introduction

2. From folk tradition to fantasy

On J. R. R. Tolkien

On role models, ancient heroes

The Kalevalas of L?nnrot

The Kalevala Tolkien knew

Tolkiens works

What did Tolkien think of the Kalevala?

The merging of Finnish language and the Kalevala in Tolkien

3. The story of the Kalevala and Tolkiens fantasy world

World creation and world order

Song battles and quests before marriage

The Sampo and the Silmarils

Interludes

The end of the tale

4 The Kalevalaic parts of Tolkiens world

The might of singing, music and words

Nature and the elements

On V?in?m?inen

On Louhi

On Ilmarinen

On Kullervo

5. Conclusion

Bibliography

Index

This book explores J. R. R. Tolkiens unique and warm relationship to the Kalevala, a poem usually hailed as the Finnish and Karelian national epic, combiled, edited and partly revisioned from older folk poetry by Finnish scholar Elias L?nnrot in the 19^th century.

Jyrki Korpua brings new depth to Tolkiens world-building with his delightful introduction to the song-built world of the Kalevala, which both inspired Tolkiens earliest stories and resonates throughout his legendarium from the music of Creation to the songs of Tom Bol“k