The Tolkien Professor

A chat with Tara Holste, Washington College Class of '07, about class relations in Tolkien's fiction, with a primary focus on the relationship between masters and servants.

A chat with Ben Kozlowski, Washington College Class of '08, about the knowledge of evil in Tolkien's world.

The Hobbit Series Lecture 4, Part 3, in which we examine Beorn, then step back and draw some conclusions about the Wild, followed by a brief discussion of fate and a close reading of the dwarves' song, "The Wind Was on the Withered Heath." Text: Chapters 6 and 7, "Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire" and "Queer Lodgings"

The Hobbit Series Lecture 4, Part 2, in which we take a close look at the goblins, the wargs, and the eagles. Text: Chapters 6 and 7, "Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire" and "Queer Lodgings"

The Hobbit Series Lecture 4, Part 1, in which we look at the changes in Bilbo and his relationship with Gandalf and the dwarves. Text: Chapters 6 and 7, "Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire" and "Queer Lodgings"

A third informal podcast, in which the Tolkien Professor doesn't exactly answer anybody's questions, but talks about some of the issues involved in doing so

A second informal podcast Q&A, in which the Tolkien Professor discusses Smaug's family history and the social life of orcs

TP Bonus Content: A live recording of a joint lecture I gave in October 2008 with a former student, Shannon Holste, Washington College '07

An informal podcast Q&A, in which the Tolkien Professor discusses his views on the winglessness of Balrogs and the identity of Tom Bombadil

The Hobbit Series Lecture 3, in which we come to the turning point of Bilbo's career. Containing a discussion of orcs and a careful reading of the Gollum encounter, riddle by riddle. Text: Chapters 4 and 5, "Over Hill and Under Hill" and "Riddles in the Dark"

The Hobbit Series Lecture 2, in which I look at the beginning of Bilbo's burlarious career and examine the natures of trolls and elves. Text: Chapters 2 and 3, "Roast Mutton" and "A Short Rest"

The Hobbit Series Lecture 1, in which I examine how Tolkien introduces his fantasy world through his flustered little protagonist. Text: Chapter 1, "An Unexpected Party"

The Intro Lecture, in which I discuss Tolkien's understanding of the nature and importance of storytelling. Primary Text: Tolkien's essay "On Fairy-Stories"