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Restoring the Fantasy Literature to Its Former Popularity with the Advanced Digital Technology and Norse Mythology in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

  • Lee, Noh-Shin (Department of English Language and Literature Hoseo University) ;
  • Pastreich, Emanuel (College of International Studies Kyung Hee University)
  • Received : 2013.09.02
  • Accepted : 2013.09.11
  • Published : 2013.09.28
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Abstract

This paper explores J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy in order to analogize two primary sources which enabled the fantasy literature to be restored to its former popularity in 1930's-50's. First source is the cinematization of the original novel, based on the advanced digital technology, and second, the adaptation of Norse mythology to the original novel. The advanced digital technology rendered a distinguished contribution to the resurrection of the fantasy novel today. Peter Jackson, the director of the film trilogy, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy gained an un-heard popularity in the history of the fantasy movie. It was practicable with the advanced digital technology. Nevertheless, it could be realized only with the fact that J. R. R. Tolkien's original novel retains the excellence of plot. The episodes of the novel present the author's broad knowledge of Norse mythology and his attempts to employ it to the novel, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Through such two directions, this paper describes that the advanced digital technology and the quality of the original plot are two key elements to succeed in authoring and filming the fantasy literature.

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