The Age of Modernism
Modernism, in the history of literature is a movement which can be defined as modern thought or thinking. This is where all ideas of the past are rejected. Realism as well as Enlightenment are not accepted and the idea of a one true God is thought as a thing of the past. All works from the past are taken into account but rewritten, revised or redone in a way that most suited the period and the practices of artists during the time. Modernism was not only a movement within the arts, it was also a social and political kind of movement (Curry, 2004). Since this happened during the time of the First World War, there was a drastic change in how people thought. During this time, a lot of people were devastated by the events that lead to it, thinking that the world would come to an end, seeing as many countries took part in what was thought to be “The war to end all wars”. This artistic movement also promoted self-consciousness where the artist and the audience is aware of the tools or materials used to create things. It was no longer just a photocopy of what is seen, art pieces needed even further interpretation, as so did literature. Some critics of Modernism believed that this was a trend that promoted social progressiveness. Since it was seen during the times of great change, people who were part of this movement were seen to want to improve things around them. People wanted to change things for the better and they believed that they had the power to do so. This involved a re-examination of history and everything that had happened in every possible subject known to man. People wanted to determine what was stopping or hindering progress (Curry, 2004).
This paper aims to compare the ideology of modernism to the story of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. This will be done by analyzing first the themes, motifs and symbols seen in the piece of literature. A critical analysis of the characters in the story will help determine which aspects of modernism each one represents. Tolkien wrote his books around a new and different world which astounded a lot of readers. He wrote a new language, created artwork, a history, geography and everything else needed in order for the readers to really step into the realm of The Hobbit. His works will be analyzed in order to find the Modernist characteristics in his writing.
J.R.R Tolkien’s book, The Hobbit is an example of Modernist work because he aimed to recreate the Medieval past in his Middle Earth world.
"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort."(qtd. J.R.R. Tolkien, Ch. 1). His description of the hole that Bilbo lived in is representative of Modernist thinking. He took someone’s idea of a hole and changed it for the better. This is also when he introduced the Hobbits who had large furry toes and had an epicurean taste for life. They enjoyed drinking and eating. Bilbo was content with his life and it seemed as if the character had to intention of going anywhere or really doing anything other than what he has already accomplished. Gandalf is seen to trick Bilbo into hosting a party for a group of dwarves who wanted to accomplish something – reclaim Lonely Mountain. Once the merriment was done, Gandalf reveals his plan. At first the dwarves, as well as Bilbo, ridicule his idea since Gandalf thinks that Bilbo would make a good addition to the team. Bilbo doesn’t want to leave his comfortable life, yet to Gandalf, he was more capable than he thought he was. The group then sets on an adventure where they encounter trolls where Bilbo gets separated. He then meets a curious character named Gollum who wanted to get into a bit of a game. Gollum asked Bilbo to solve a couple of riddles and if he did not do it successfully, he had to die. With the help of the mysterious and magical ring he found, Bilbo escapes and finds his way back to the dwarves. The group was impressed by Bilbo’s actions and he gained credibility with them. They go through a number of obstacles along the way where a number of the band was wounded and hurt. Thorin and Bilbo get into a bit of a feud before the climax of the tale. Later, during the last battle, Thorin is seen to be fatally wounded. Just before his life slips away, he and Bilbo make peace and reconcile. When the Hobbit returned to his home, he did not want to take his whole portion of the riches. However, he was still a wealthy Hobbit after the adventure and goes back to his quiet and happy life.
Tolkien himself was born before the Modernism movement. He wrote his books, maybe during the time when this period was at its early stages. Many people think that his work is that of a genius. However, some critics say that it is childish and not worth reading – although it was really meant to be a children’s book. Nevertheless, his work is being appreciated until even a century after it was first published, which really means something. His work was seen as avante-garde, a characteristic of works written during the age of Modernism. Something curious about Modernism is that those who were involved in the movement were not involved in the war at all. However, they were very much affected by it. The great calamities which were happening during the time took its toll on everyone who was present during the time. The Hobbit was written right before WWII and just after WWI (Curry, 2004).
"To say that Bilbo's breath was taken away is no description at all. There are no words left to express his staggerment, since Men changed the language that they learned of elves in the days when all the world was wonderful." (qtd. Tolkien, ch.1).
This quote shows that there is longing for the past, not the near past, but times when things were simple. In Modernist thinking, they believe that something went wrong along the way, that is why there was a need for the war. There was change within cultures, such as the quote mentioned above, that there was a change in language.
It could be said that Tolkien’s work was romantic and escapist; since he did not face the age he was in. Most authors wrote about the war and their own interpretation of it. Similar work, such as “The Great Gatsby” is seen to want to correct something in society; emphasizing the problems that plague people, politics and the environment. This movement actively criticized the past in hopes to bring a better future. It can be seen as cynical, sad and depressed in character.
Tolkien’s book was not cynical at all. Being fantasy, it has been criticized to even be escapist in nature. Maybe, like Rip van Winkle, he wanted to escape the war and drift off into Middle-Earth where he did not have to see such torment. It could be his own criticism of the countries that tried to conquer lands that weren’t there. He might have seen the reclaiming of Lonely Mountain as something most nations should do – get back what is theirs. However, since these books were written during the Modernist time, some characteristics of Modernism can be seen in the writing. This can be seen in the creation of Middle-Earth. He created a whole new world in his story which amazed a lot of readers. This does not have to mean it is escapist in nature. In Modernism, people try to correct the past in order to make a better future (Curry, 2004). Tolkien might have seen that the problem was during the Middle ages, therefore he wanted to recreate it. He did this using symbolism with characters and the setting. He might have seen that the wars that he had to live through were a result of the crusades during the time of the Middle Ages, this might have been his view of his present day. Tolkien might have wanted to change the time when wars were a normal thing.
There is also a theme in race and lineage in the story. This was seen in the imaginary clans, races and groups. They might have been representative of those who lived during Tolkien’s time. You can differentiate each race or type of character depending on their traits and behaviors. They were physically different, they thought differently and they did not share the same morals. This suggests that not all people had the same moral compass and that he viewed other groups as evil or immoral. Social positions are also linked with the lineage and the types of characters. Heritage also plays a big importance in the story, which might mean that some races have a birthright or feel that they have to complete something for their family. This might also be his view on why some races act the way that they do.
"Victory after all, I suppose! Well, it seems a very gloomy business." (qtd. Tolkien, ch.17).
There is a resounding theme of heroism in the story, and it is seen in this quote. They won by the end, but they do not let go of the fact that it was gloomy and drear. This is the most modernist characteristic of The Hobbit. Like in many other novels written during this time, there is always a hero or a protagonist who saves the day. A theme like this might have been needed during the time when people needed someone to look up to. Because Modernism denies a creator or a God, they might need a physical hero to save them from what they had to go through (Curry, 2004). The time of war was hard on everyone, and no one is ever ready for an event like that. The heroism in Bilbo might have been something that people needed to see. He was a simple and quiet being who kept to himself. This suggests that almost anyone, even the very weak and timid, can be a hero. During the time when many men were lost, young children might have needed someone to look up to. Since there was a rejection of enlightenment, they needed to find a hero within themselves.
The Hobbit was an amazing story which had a lot of different themes and motifs which were representative of the Modernist movement. Even though it was not written how modernist literature was usually seen, you can see hints of it in the characters, plots and even the author.
References
Curry, Patrick (2004). Defending Middle-earth: Tolkien: Myth and Modernity. Mariner Books.
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