State University of New York College at Buffalo - Buffalo State College Digital Commons at Buffalo State Multidisciplinary Studies Theses Multidisciplinary Studies 12-2020 Ecofeminism in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Stephanie Kroneiss State University of New York College at Buffalo - Buffalo State College, [email protected] Advisor Mark K. Fulk, Ph.D. First Reader Mark K. Fulk, Ph.D. Second Reader Angela B. Fulk, Ph.D. Recommended Citation Kroneiss, Stephanie, "Ecofeminism in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings" (2020). Multidisciplinary Studies Theses. 15. https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/multistudies_theses/15 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/multistudies_theses Part of the English Language and Literature Commons Ecofeminism in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings by Stephanie Kroneiss A Thesis Submitted to the English Faculty for the Degree of Master of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies The State University College at Buffalo Buffalo, New York December 2020 Kroneiss 1 Ecofeminism in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings by Stephanie Kroneiss A Thesis in Multidisciplinary Studies Master of Arts December 2020 State University of New York College at Buffalo Department of English Approved by: Mark K. Fulk, Ph.D. Professor in English Thesis Advisor Kevin J. Miller, Ed.D. Dean of the Graduate School Kroneiss 2 Abstract Author: Stephanie Kroneiss Title: Ecofeminism in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Institution: The State University College at Buffalo Thesis Advisor: Dr. Mark K. Fulk Second Reader: Dr. Angela Fulk Degree: Master of Arts Year: 2020 This thesis will examine the ecofeminist aspects present within J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy series The Lord of the Rings. Through the examination of research in the fields of feminism, environmentalism, and ecofeminism, and by analysis of the primary texts, I will explore the connection between the feminine and ecological aspects of the novels, and determine whether or not their deviation from their subordinate positions within the traditional patriarchal social structure common to the medieval fantasy genre either advances or undermines an ecofeminist agenda. Kroneiss 3 Ecofeminism in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Table of Contents Chapter One: Ecofeminism in History, Culture, and Literature I. Introduction ..…………………………………………………………………….. 5 II. Methods ..………………………………………………………………………… 7 III. The Origins and Patriarchal Benefits of Female and Ecological Oppression …… 7 i. Separation of the Masculine from the Feminine and Humanity from the Natural World …………………………………………………… 7 ii. Separation from the Feminine ………………………………………. 8 iii. Separation from the Natural World ………………………………… 15 IV. Ecofeminism: The Association between Nature and the Feminine ….………… 27 i. Religious Justification for Ecofeminine Oppression ………………. 28 ii. Cultural & Societal Justification for Ecofeminine Oppression .……. 34 iii. Psychological Motives for Ecofeminine Oppression ………………. 37 iv. The Mother Nature/ Mother Earth Concept ………………………... 40 v. An Ecofeminist Revolution ………………………………………… 43 V. Ecofeminism in Literature ……………………………………………………... 48 i. Feminist Fiction ……………………………………………………. 49 ii. Ecological Fiction ….………………………………………………. 54 iii. Ecofeminist Fiction and Criticism …………………………………. 58 Kroneiss 4 Chapter Two: The Lord of the Rings: An Ecofeminist Perspective I. Introduction ………………………………………………………………………… 62 II. Ecological Concepts ………………………………………………………………... 64 1. Heroes of Environmental Advocacy and Villains of Ecological Oppression ….. 67 i. Tom Bombadil and the Spirit of the Natural World …………………… 67 ii. Ents and the Ancient Forests …………………………………………… 71 iii. Hobbits and the Shire …………………………………………………... 84 iv. Saruman the Appropriation and Destruction of Nature ………………... 90 2. Further Evidence of a Pro-Ecological Position ………………………………… 93 3. Ecological Summary …………………………………………………………… 95 III. Feminist Concepts ………………………………………………………………….. 97 1. Autonomy and Power in the Feminine ………………………………………… 99 i. Galadriel .………………………………………………………………. 99 ii. Shelob ………………………………………………………………… 106 iii. Eowyn ………………………………………………………………… 113 2. Further Evidence of a Pro-Feminine Position ………………………………… 127 3. Feminist Summary ……………………………………………………………. 132 IV. Ecofeminist Concepts .……………………………………………………………. 134 1. The Association of Nature and the Feminine ………………………………… 134 2. The Ents and Entwives .……………………………………………………….. 140 3. Ecofeminist Summary ………………………………………………………… 142 V. The Lord of the Rings Conclusion ………………………………………………... 144 Works Cited ...………………………………………………………………………………… 146 Kroneiss 5 Ch. 1: Ecofeminism in History, Culture, and Literature I. Introduction Ecofiction (or ecological fiction) exhibits the impacts of humankind on the natural world and/or presents the non-human aspect of a story. This literary subgenre often encourages the respect and sustainability of the planet by emphasizing the autonomy of nature as well as the intimate relationship between humanity and the natural world. Feminist fiction explores issues that women have confronted throughout time, such as gender bias, inequitable rights and opportunities, as well as gender-based violence and discrimination. Ecofeminist fiction merges the principles of the two subgenres, not only linking the oppression of women and the natural world by patriarchal cultures, but furthering the notion that the future survival of the planet and of humanity can only be accomplished through remedying the inequitable and oppressive treatment of both. Although not all ecofeminist fiction directly advocates for this philosophy, the most effective tales are those which ultimately culminate in establishing within the reader an undeniable connection between humans and the natural world, as well as an understanding of the need for balance between the feminine and masculine aspects of the self. In Ecocriticism, Greg Garrard refers to radical ecofeminism as an approach which “reverses the patriarchal domination of man over woman and nature, ‘exalting nature’, the non-human, and the emotional” (24). Beyond solely relating to aspects of nature and the feminine, however, an ecofeminist philosophy essentially encompasses all universally oppressed groups. In her essay, “Healing the Wounds,” Ynestra King states, “Ecofeminism’s challenge of social domination extends beyond sex to social domination of all kinds, because the domination of sex, race, and class and the domination of nature are mutually reinforcing” (20). By this reasoning, endorsement of one aspect of the equation is akin to advocating for the others and, in ecofeminist literature, we often Kroneiss 6 discover such a reciprocally supportive system. One of the most effective means by which to convey progressive ideas in literature is through the use of fictional scenarios that allow unfamiliar or repudiated concepts to penetrate or eliminate reality’s long-established boundaries. Fantasy fiction in particular allows for such unrestricted design. While the allure of fantasy is often attributed to the genre’s escapist qualities, which allow readers a diversion from the issues and despondency of modern civilization, fantasy authors and enthusiasts argue that a major advantage of the genre is the creative freedom by which to promote progressive concepts, such as those associated with an advanced, egalitarian society. Due to the very nature of fantasy, unlimited exploration of otherworldly scenarios allows for fantastic ecofeminist literature to destabilize societal norms by challenging or completely disregarding conventional hierarchal allocations. Doing so, via an upending of a reality-based oppressive system or through the portrayal of a society impervious to negative real-world influences, allows traditionally subjugated groups (such as women and the natural world) an equal importance to those historically considered dominant. Furthermore, if it is conceivable for a particular literary genre to produce a “carry-over effect”—where the ideas contained therein result in a lingering influence over the reader—such transformational potential would necessitate an examination of the concepts that iconic and enduring stories convey, as well as an analysis of their possible impacts on audiences. Utilizing research in the fields of ecofeminist study and criticism, and through the analysis of the primary texts, I will examine the ecofeminist aspects present within J.R.R. Tolkien’s, The Lord of the Rings. By exploring the role of women and the natural world within this epic fantasy series, I will determine whether or not their association (or lack thereof), as well as their (potential) divergence from their subordinate positions within the patriarchal social Kroneiss 7 structure common to medieval fantasy, either advances or undermines an ecofeminist agenda. I argue that, although nature and the feminine are initially restricted to conventional roles within the historical framework of the novels, it is precisely owing to this allocation that any deviation from the prescribed characterizations allows for a more meaningful narrative arc and prompts readers to question the very foundation of humanity’s hierarchal norms. As The Lord of the Rings (hereafter referred to in this paper as LOTR) has proven to resonate with generations of readers, it is important to illustrate the ecofeminist concepts contained therein, as well as to acknowledge the influential potential provided by such perspectives. II. Methods My theoretical approach will be divided into three