It is my pleasure to announce that my student, Rob Gosselin, has completed his thesis at Signum University. Rob’s topic is both fascinating and personal, where he explores how J.R.R. Tolkien’s idea of “subcreation” works when we move outside of literary worlds. The title is, “J. R. R. Tolkien’s Sub-creative Vision: Exploring the Capacity and Applicability in Tolkien’s Concept of Sub-creation.” You should consider attending if:

• you would like to explore the foundation of your desire to express creativity in any form–not just writing, but visual arts, performing arts, game design, research, or anything that comes from your vocation as an artist
• you are approaching your own thesis project, as Rob will share some of his difficult journey to the end of the paper
• you have an interest in the way that Tolkien thought about his work
• you have loved Tolkien’s poem “Mythopoiea” (which you can read here)

As Signum is a digital university, our tradition is to host a “thesis theatre” for students to share their work. Attending is free, and you will have a chance to ask questions. I am going to host the discussion, and I look forward to seeing you there, Monday, Feb 26 at 7pm EST.

Thesis Abstract

Sub-creation is an idea fundamental to understanding Tolkien’s oeuvre. In his draft letter to Peter Hastings, Tolkien writes the remarkable statement that “the whole matter [of my myth] from beginning to end is mainly concerned with the relation of Creation to making and sub-creation” (Letters 188). However, Tolkien’s ideas about sub-creation continue to perplex readers and scholars of his work.

This essay represents my effort to address the apparent obscurities associated with Tolkien’s concept, which has also had a significant impact on myself and my creative work. I begin my analysis by examining Tolkien’s three main “sub-creation texts”: (1) His essay “On Fairy-stories”; (2) His short story “Leaf by Niggle”; (3) His poem “Mythopoeia.” In addition to Tolkien’s sub-creation “trilogy” of texts, I explore the mythic story of Aulë’s making of the Dwarves in The Silmarillion because Aulë’s story provides a vivid depiction of Tolkien’s vast sub-creative vision and serves as an embodiment of his concept of the sub-creator or “little maker” (“Mythopoeia” 128). Finally, I make an autoethnographic turn, examining my own story of sub-creation in which I demonstrate my own attempts to apply Tolkien’s sub-creative vision in my life through my self-publishing efforts as an indie game-designer as well as through the writing of this thesis.

My controlling purpose in the essay is to articulate the expansiveness of Tolkien’s sub-creative vision and the sustaining significance of the poem “Mythopoeia” to understanding sub-creation because it universalizes Tolkien’s concept of the sub-creator.

About the Presenter

Rob Gosselin received his B.Ed. and his B.S. from the University of Regina and his M.A. at Signum University. He is currently a senior science teacher in Churchbridge, Saskatchewan, where he lives with his wife Jenny and their two kids. Aside from teaching and his scholarly endeavours at Signum, Rob can often be found designing a new game for his game company, Birdlight Games, or learning to play a new musical instrument. He is a lifelong lover of games, a cappella, hiking, Ultimate Frisbee, slacklining, dance, and chess.

Update: Video of the Conversation

Suggested Readings

• Tolkien’s poem, “Mythopoeia”
• Splintered Light: Logos and Language in Tolkien’s World, by Verlyn Flieger’s
• Building Imaginary Worlds: The Theory and History of Subcreation, by Mark J.P. Wolf
• This lecture by Malcolm Guite was also an encouragement to Rob