(Originally posted on LiveJournal)
So Mythcon this year (which I do not have to oversee) will be in Dallas, July 9 through12. The chairs have selected a theme of “War in Heaven” — which is a wonderfully provocative theme. There are so many possibilities to discuss this issue in fantasy literature! My mind is bubbling with possibilities.
After all, it’s actually been quite a while since I last applied myself to a piece of scholarship. I need to exercise those brain muscles. What to do? What to do?
The first thing that popped in my head was “Something with Tolkien and Milton!” Which seemed really cool while it was out there vaguely in the brain-ether. But once (this last week) I started bringing the brain into focus on the matter, I wondered “So what am I going to say about them?”
“Oh. You mean I have to have a thesis?”
“That’s usually how it works, if you will recall.”
“Oh. Hmmm. I guess that means I should do some rereading, yes?”
“That’s a starting point.”
The other work I’ve thought of preparing a paper on is my friend Coleman Luck’s Angel Fall — though I haven’t decided yet how to approach that. Certainly, angelic conflict is at the core of that story, but it too needs to be reread. Because it suddenly occurred to me to wonder why the Deity could not interfere in the course of events in the story’s world. Why did he had to wait on the actions of the characters?
Hmmmmmm. I’d forgotten all the work involved in this scholarship stuff. Guess I need to get cracking, if I’m going to have anything done by July. Heck, I need to reread Tolkien’s “creation story” to decide if I can indeed make a discussion about his choices versus Milton’s. But… it’s such a good theme! I want to try.
Comments
kalimac – Jan. 2nd, 2010
If you do want to approach Tolkien and Milton, do it fast: I suspect several other minds are approaching the same comparison. But don’t worry, there’ll be no competition from me. Milton the monster; I’m not re-reading him for any money.
scribblerworks – Jan. 2nd, 2010
Yes, when I first heard of the theme, I suspected there would be many considering the Tolkien-Milton matter. Which is why I really need to come up with a solid thesis, if I’m going to do it.
I’ve also been considering a more general paper on “apocalyptic” fantasies, where the heroes defeat some “ultimate evil”… and the problems of writing sequels to them.
kalimac – Jan. 2nd, 2010
If you do go for the more general paper, you might want to consider the duology Black Easter and The Day After Judgment by James Blish (published together as The Devil’s Day and, I think, other titles).
Black Easter is a tale designed to be so apocalyptic that no possible sequel could be imaginable. The Day After Judgment is, nevertheless, a sequel to it. Go figure.
sartorias – Jan. 2nd, 2010
I like his short poems and letters, but the biggie . . . phew!
