J.R.R. TolkienFantasy · Fiction·1892–1973
Tolkien On Fairy-stories
Synopsis
The expanded scholarly edition of Tolkien's foundational 1947 essay On Fairy-Stories, originally delivered as the Andrew Lang Lecture at the University of St Andrews in 1939.
In the essay Tolkien argues that fairy-stories are a legitimate and serious form of literature for adults, distinguishes them from allegory and children's literature, and develops his central concepts of sub-creation (the making of secondary worlds), the Theory of Enchantment, and the Eucatastrophe (the sudden happy turn that characterises the best fantasy).
The expanded edition, edited by Verlyn Flieger and Douglas A. Anderson, includes Tolkien's manuscript notes, earlier draft versions of the essay, and extensive scholarly commentary, making visible the development of ideas that underpin all of his creative work.
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Prose complexity 5/10
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Frequently asked questions
What is On Fairy-Stories?
An essay by Tolkien arguing that fairy-stories are a serious literary form for adults. It was originally delivered as a lecture in 1939 and revised for publication in 1947. This expanded edition includes Tolkien's draft notes and extensive scholarly commentary.
What is Tolkien's theory of sub-creation?
Tolkien argues that when humans make fantasy worlds, they are exercising a capacity given to them by God -- the capacity to create, which he calls sub-creation. The human storyteller creates a secondary world with its own internal consistency, within which the audience can believe. This is one of the most influential ideas in modern fantasy theory.
What is a Eucatastrophe?
A term coined by Tolkien for the sudden joyous turn at the end of a fairy-story -- the unexpected salvation or happy resolution. He argues this is one of the defining features of the genre and its highest achievement, exemplified by the Resurrection in the Gospels, which he calls the Eucatastrophe of human history.
Is this accessible to non-academics?
The original essay is entirely accessible to any careful reader. The expanded scholarly apparatus (draft notes, commentary) is primarily for academic readers, but the essay itself stands on its own.
Do I need to know Tolkien's fiction to read this essay?
No -- the essay is a work of literary theory that stands independently of his fiction. However, readers familiar with The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion will recognise how the theory maps onto his practice.
