The Sweet and the Bitter - by Amendt-Raduege (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In 1956, J. R. R. Tolkien famously stated that the real theme of The Lord of the Rings was "Death and Immortality." The deaths that underscore so much of the subject matter of Tolkien's masterpiece have a great deal to teach us. From the heroic to the humble, Tolkien draws on medieval concepts of death and dying to explore the glory and sorrow of human mortality. Three great themes of death link medieval Northern European culture, The Lord of the Rings, and contemporary culture: the way in which we die, the need to remember the dead, and above all the lingering apprehension of what happens after death. Like our medieval ancestors, we still talk about what it means to die as a hero, a traitor, or a coward; we still make decisions about ways to honor and remember the departed; and we continue to seek to appease and contain the dead. These themes suggest a latent resonance between medieval and modern cultures and raise an issue not generally discussed in contemporary Western society: our deeply rooted belief that how one dies in some way matters.

While Tolkien, as a medieval scholar, naturally draws much of his inspiration from the literature, folklore, and legends of the Middle Ages, the popularity of his work affirms that modern audiences continue to find these tropes relevant and useful. From ideas of "good" and "bad" deaths to proper commemoration and disposal of the dead, and even to ghost stories, real people find comfort in the ideas about death and dying that Tolkien explores.

"The Sweet and the Bitter" Death and Dying in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings examines the ways in which Tolkien's masterwork makes visible the connections between medieval and modern conceptions of dying and analyzes how contemporary readers use The Lord of the Rings as a tool for dealing with death.

Review Quotes

"[Although Amendt-Raduege] supports her arguments with a wide array of scholarly sources, her clear prose and explanations render this text truly accessible to the general reader. . . . Such a volume serves an important function at any time in the human experience. Amendt-Raduege has crafted a powerful, extended meditation on facing the end of life, preparing for a good death, avoiding a bad one, and memorializing those who have passed from this world. General fans of The Lord of the Rings as well as specialists will appreciate this book." -- Journal of Tolkien Research

"Amendt-Raduege has produced an insightful and comprehensive study on the thematic and contextual importance of death in Tolkien's work.... The strength of [her] book lies in its series of interconnected close readings. She devotes a significant amount of attention to each character and culture of Middle-earth, parsing their differences and similarities. Additionally, the robust historical context, which draws on both medieval and twentieth-century history, enhances the significance of her conclusions. The Sweet and the Bitter is an impressive achievement: focused, nuanced, and comprehensive, and it marks what I hope will continue to be a growing area of research in Tolkien studies." -- Fafnir: Nordic Journal of Science Fiction and Fantasy Research

"Amendt-Raduege's treatment of Tolkien's use of death and dying reminds the reader that death is not trivial, no matter how common or abundant it may feel. She employs literary criticism, but her work is not bloated with technical jargon. The book is a piece of scholarship, and yet accessible to the curious fan of Middle-earth and its unique influences."--Journal of Faith and the Academy

About the Author

Amy Amendt-Raduege teaches English at Whatcom Community College, where she leads classes in British Literature, folklore, superheroes, Shakespeare, and, of course, Tolkien. She has published extensively on Tolkien's work.