MaedrosOneHand writes: I had the privilege of attending both Tom Shippey lectures at Swarthmore College in Philadelphia today and I thought I could offer something of a report.
In his first lecture, Shippey focused primarily on the differences and similarites between the Lord of the Rings books and films. He had three primary observations about Jackson, Boyens and Walsh’s treatment of the story. First, he noted that the films place far more importance on character “journeys” than the books. For example, the fairly straightforward character of Faramir in Tolkien becomes the tortured, indecisive, father-scorned character in the movie who has to go on a “journey” of character development before he’s willing to part with the ring. Along with this, Shippey also talked about how the minor characters played a much bigger role in the films of changing major characters’ minds. Faramir was essentially convinced by Sam to let the quest to Mount Doom proceed and Treebeard was convinced by Pippen to attack Isengard. Shippey didn’t express much condemnation of these choices, he just took them for what they were. Continue reading “Tom Shippey at Swarthmore College Report”
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Mythcon 41 will be held July 9-12 2010 at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. Message board member N.E. Brigand has posted that early registration ends tomorrow, February 15. Early registration rates are $60 for Mythopoeic Society members, $70 for non-members and $55 for students (the conference is free for children under age 12). The theme of Mythcon 41 will be “War in Heaven.” But, according to N.E. Brigand: “the conference invariably touches on more than the main theme, including for instance, the works of the guests of honor, who this time will be fantasy author, Tim Powers (Three Days to Never), and Tolkien scholar, Janet Brennan Croft (War and the Works of J.R.R. Tolkien).” Go to http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/41/ to register.
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Austin writes: Swarthmore College will host two Tolkien talks, both open to the public.
Both talks take place on Feb. 16th. The first talk occurs at 04:15 PM, entitled Tolkien Book to Jackson Script: the Medium and the Message. More..
The second happens at 08:00 PM, entitled: Rediscovering Middle Earth, the Roots of Tolkien’s Myths. More..
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Nancy writes: Just wanted to let you (and TORN) know that there will be several talks about Richard Wagner and JRR Tolkien in connection with Los Angeles’ Ring Festival.
The Los Angeles Opera will produce 3 complete cycles of Wagner’s Ring operas in May and June. In connection with this will be Ring Festival LA, consisting of numerous events, lectures, exhibits, and performances running from January through August. (Information: www.RingFestivalLA.com) Continue reading “Tolkien in the Wagner Ring Festival”
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The Tolkien Society Seminar for 2010 is happening in two parts, one in the UK and one in Australia arranged by the Tolkien Society in partnership with Tol Harndor: The Australian Tolkien Society. The Tolkien Society Seminars provide academics, students and independent scholars with a venue for interdisciplinary dialogue. Continue reading “2 Hemispheres, 2 Seminars, 2 Calls for Papers”
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From booksblog.dallasnews.com (via Gary L): Saturday evening, Nov. 21, 2009, lovers of two of the most popular writers of all time–C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, known popularly for the Narnia series and Lord of the Rings–may spend an evening with Peter Kreeft of Boston. The dinner opens at 6:30 p.m. in Elliott Hall at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Blvd. in Dallas. Tickets are $70; the evening includes “the most literary silent auction in Dallas.” To reserve seats, email mdmonse@yahoo.com. More..
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