Magic and technology at service of truth: J. R. R Tolkien and the critic of modernity

• Grant number: 12/50181-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Books published in Brazil
• Start date: June 01, 2012
• End date: May 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - History
• Principal Investigator: Yvone Dias Avelino
• Grantee: Yvone Dias Avelino
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Sociais. Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The present study aims to discuss and question the images in the book “The Lord of the Rings II”, from the British author J.R.R Tolkien, especially with regard to issues of modernity and modernization in England in the first half of the XX century. The images and representations contained in the work are analyzed by the author's anti-technology position, within his historical context, where the machine is used to build an important role in building a positive image modernity. As sources of this research, we use the author’s e exchanged letters, the literary trilogy and some war paintings produced during the second world war. (AU)