The Lord of the Rings and the Western Narrative Tradition

The publication of The Lord of the Rings in the 1950s sparked varied critical responses, highlighting its challenge to established literary genres. While some critics dismissed it as a regressive work inconsistent with modernist ideals, others praised it as a revitalizing contribution to epic and romance traditions. This dichotomy underscores the book's unique position in literary history, straddling the line between traditional narrative forms and modernist experimentation.