David Rowe
Auteur de The Proverbs of Middle-earth
A propos de l'auteur
David Rowe is currently Associate Professor of Media and Cultural Studies in the Department of Leisure and Tourism Studies at the University of Newcastle, Australia.
Œuvres de David Rowe
Popular Cultures : Rock Music, Sport and the Politics of Pleasure (Media Culture & Society series) (1995) 8 exemplaires
Illustrated History of the World with Pictures: As Taken from the Pages of "The Big Shiny Thing in the Sky" (1990) 2 exemplaires
Pyranees Shire Heritage Precinct Study Vol 1 &Vol 2 1 exemplaire
Making Culture: Commercialisation, Transnationalism, and the State of ‘Nationing’ in Contemporary Australia (2018) 1 exemplaire
Salamander, or: Splitting the Word Asunder 1 exemplaire
Wine Guide. Easy-to-Use guide to the worlds wines. 1 exemplaire
Oeuvres associées
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- Œuvres
- 30
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Clearly the fruit of a great erudition and of a devoted love, Rowe's recently released The Proverbs of Middle-earth , masterfully explores the "more than four hundred proverbial sayings" placed on the lips of the peoples of Middle-earth by the Professor (63). By deeply delving into the profundity of dwarves, elves, ents, men, and hobbits, Rowe uncovers for us a great treasure, helps us understand each of these races from within, as it were, and in the process helps us understand ourselves in a clearer light.
In his brief forward to this book, Dr. Peter Kreeft says he is "as pleased as a pickle that I was sent this wonderfully Socratic book" (v), a book that "is really an act of anthropology" (iv). Whenever you find an enthusiastic endorsement from Dr. Kreeft, you know you are in for a treat, and this book is no exception!
Rowe begins his exploration of the proverbs of Middle-earth with a rather scholarly - though still readable - consideration of what a proverb is and is not. "Proverbs," he says, "are vessels of transmission, the ships in which wisdom sails" (ix). Because Middle-earth is filled with proverbs, Rowe rightly suggests that "What we quickly discover is that Tolkien did not merely create hundreds of erudite, apposite, and funny sayings - however great an artistic achievement that is - he also invented entire wisdom traditions in which these sayings belong. Just as different contemporary nations often have contrasting perspectives, so each civilisation of Middle-earth has a distinct worldview or philosophical culture. Each of these becomes apparent when we look through the lens of their proverbs: the national character and philosophy of each of Tolkien's cultures - from the small-minded pragmatism of rustic Hobbits tot he disciplined dignity of Gondor - has been written into their wisdom traditions. Tolkien's legendarium is founded on details such as these; its world created from the bottom-up, and therefore richly rewarding to those who take the time to dive in and investigate the depths" (xiii).
Of particular delight, are two of Rowe's three appendices in which he lists the proverbs (and those who speak them) in The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and the appendices to The Lord of the Rings, first in chronological order and second by the peoples of Middle-earth.
I would provide you with summaries of his explorations of the proverbs of each of the peoples of Middle-earth, but I do not wish to rob you of the joy of discovery that comes with the reading the chapters without quite knowing what to expect.
Let me simply say that in The Proverbs of Middle-earth, Rowe brilliantly shines a light on an important aspect of Tolkien's writings hitherto largely unexplored. He helps us to see that "in the well-feigned history of Middle-earth, what is offered to us is wisdom and truth: not a simple lesson to learn, but over seven thousand years' worth of learned lessons to apply" (174).
As he leads us through these learned lessons, Rowe takes us by the hand and guides us along the paths of wisdom and truth and opens for us a new and unexpected adventure.… (plus d'informations)