Tolkien Seminar
The Tolkien Society & Tol Harndor
Saturday, 25th August 2007
Sydney, Australia

Tolkien Down Under - The Art and Science of Magic in Middle-earth

Call for Papers

This significant annual event in the Tolkien calendar is being held overseas
for the first time in Sydney, Australia. With attendees travelling from
around the world this will have an international festive feel.

The magic of Middle-earth is wide-ranging in scope and can cover not only
all aspects of magic in the works of Tolkien but also the enchantment that
Tolkien's writings have instilled in Tolkien fans far and wide.

Some potential topics for consideration might be:

. The limitations or laws of magic in Middle-earth
. The various forms of magic
. The supernatural
. Tolkien's magic compared to other authors of 'modern' fantasy
. Is Tolkien's magic mystical and without explanation or is there evidence
of science? How did the Inkling's view magic / science?
. The magic of words, spells, music and language
. The presence of magic in the classics such as Beowulf, The Kalavala, and
Edda.
. The effects of magic on events during the Ages. Was it pivotal?
. The differences in how magic was used and viewed by the various races
. The enchantment of Tolkien's writings
. The dark arts of Middle-earth and the corruption of magic
. Magic in a religious context

Papers should be either 20 or 45 minutes long to fit into half-hour or
hour slots with time for questions/discussion. There may also be scope
to accommodate a number of short 10 minute presentations. Please send
the title, a short summary/abstract and the intended length to the Seminar
organiser: Michael Kennedy, 27 Hennessy Lane, Figtree, NSW, 2525 or by
e-mail to pacific_at_tolkiensociety.org

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Received on Sat Nov 25 2006 - 20:17:15 EST