COURSE DESCRIPTION
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COURSE DESCRIPTION |
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| We will begin with a work from the early twentieth century, Lord Dunsany's The King of Elfland's Daughter. Then we will step back in time to read Beowulf, which was the single most influential work of literature on Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. We will also read Tolkien's famous essay, "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics," an analysis that enlightens both the epic poem and the trilogy. Next, we will explore the profound impact Tolkien had on Western fantasy by reading McKillip's Riddlemaster trilogy. Then we will explore the relations between fantasy and magical realism in Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita. Finally, we will consider the role of fantasy in satire via Pratchett's Witches Abroad. | |||