The Image of the Enemy - An Issue of Race and Class in the Works of J. R. R. Tolkien.

Abstract: The Lord of the Rings has been denounced as carrying a black-and-white fairytale moral, with forces of Good (light, freedom, beauty) fighting Forces of Evil (darkness, tyranny, ugliness) Many writers argue that the battle between the forces of Good and Evil is a reflection of Tolkien's strong Christian beliefs. Others see in the battle between Light and Darkness a reflection of the never-ending struggle between order and chaos in old Norse mythology. The problem of the seeming dualistic struggle in Tolkien's works has been studied to a great extent. My intention in this study is to show the origins and purpose of the "other" races, primarily the incurably evil Orcs, in Tolkien's mythology, both within a hermeneutic study of his texts, and within a wider scope including previous mythological and literary references and sources of inspiration.