Archetypes in Faerie - Tolkien and Psychology - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

davem · 04-12-2003, 02:41 AM

Mark, I would'nt dispute there is some value in taking a 'Jungian' approach to LotR. I'd just question how much value. Jungian theory was developed as a diagnostic/therapeutic tool to help cure neurosis. (I speak as someone who, a long time ago, read a LOT of Jung. I must have 50-60 books on Jungian psychology gathering dust on my shelves). Jung, in his later life, tried to apply his theories to explaining religion, art, science, etc, with varying degrees of success, but it wasn't designed for that. You may as well try & analyse LotR by performing a CAT scan on it [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] . As I said, I'm sure you can find something in a Jungian approach to LotR, but whether it will be any use, or whether it will lead you off in a completely false direction is the real question.

04-12-2003, 02:41 AM	#9
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	Mark, I would'nt dispute there is some value in taking a 'Jungian' approach to LotR. I'd just question how much value. Jungian theory was developed as a diagnostic/therapeutic tool to help cure neurosis. (I speak as someone who, a long time ago, read a LOT of Jung. I must have 50-60 books on Jungian psychology gathering dust on my shelves). Jung, in his later life, tried to apply his theories to explaining religion, art, science, etc, with varying degrees of success, but it wasn't designed for that. You may as well try & analyse LotR by performing a CAT scan on it [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] . As I said, I'm sure you can find something in a Jungian approach to LotR, but whether it will be any use, or whether it will lead you off in a completely false direction is the real question. __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."