Niennism as an Attempt at Alternative Conceptualization of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Works in Russia
Shustova Ellina Viktorovna
Kazan Federal University
Submitted: 02.02.2023
Abstract. The article is devoted to Niennism as a way of interpreting the works of J. R. R. Tolkien that arose in Russia and is typical precisely of Russian-speaking Tolkien studies. The aim of the study is to characterize Niennism as an alternative approach to understanding the texts of J. R. R. Tolkien, engaging in controversy with their generally accepted interpretation. The reasons for the emergence of Niennism, its sociocultural background, its role within the subculture of Tolkienism and its implementation within the framework of the literary process are considered. Particular attention is paid to the conceptual role of Niennism, which involves the interpretation of the events described in the works of J. R. R. Tolkien from the point of view of the Dark Forces, which become the carriers of humanistic values. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the comprehensive consideration of the phenomenon of Niennism, taking into account literary and extra-literary factors. As a result, the status of Niennism is substantiated as a phenomenon that, having its own conceptual justification and being quite popular in the Russian Tolkien fandom, nevertheless cannot claim a dominant role. At the same time, Niennism illustrates a certain direction of ideological research and spiritual searches of the Russian reader, his desire to overcome the given limits, to compassion and emotional empathy.
Key words and phrases: Дж. Р. Р. Толкин, роман «Сильмариллион», роман «Чёрная Книга Арды», ниеннизм, толкинизм, J. R. R. Tolkien, novel “The Silmarillion”, novel “The Black Book of Arda”, Niennism, Tolkienism
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