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Mimetic Theory & Middle-earth: Untangling Desire in Tolkien's Legendarium
The Follow-up to the Award-Winning The Wisdom of Hobbits
Mimetic Theory & Untangling Desire in Tolkien's Legendarium, by long-time author Matthew J. Distefano, delves deeply into J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, using René Girard's mimetic theory as the primary lens through which to view the good professor’s legendary texts. Exploring the influence of imitative desire on iconic heroes such as Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, and the wizard Gandalf, as well as infamous villains like Melkor, Sauron, and Saruman, this timely philosophical follow-up enriches our understanding of both literature and the human condition by shedding light on the connections between imitation, rivalry, and transcendence, ultimately leaving readers with a sense of hope, rather than despair.
Mimetic Theory & Untangling Desire in Tolkien's Legendarium, by long-time author Matthew J. Distefano, delves deeply into J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, using René Girard's mimetic theory as the primary lens through which to view the good professor’s legendary texts. Exploring the influence of imitative desire on iconic heroes such as Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, and the wizard Gandalf, as well as infamous villains like Melkor, Sauron, and Saruman, this timely philosophical follow-up enriches our understanding of both literature and the human condition by shedding light on the connections between imitation, rivalry, and transcendence, ultimately leaving readers with a sense of hope, rather than despair.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 25, 2024
Mimetic Theoy and Middle-earth. Don’t let the title scare you, Matthew Distefano’s perspective on JRR Tolkien’s legendarium through the lens of mimetic theory isn’t some academic text about some obscure philosophy. Instead—read the subtitle—this is an accessible, easily-understandable foray into Tolkien’s views on the concept of desire. Desire, particularly for power, is at the heart of the world Tolkien created.
From the very beginning, Melkor (who would become known as Morgoth), desires the power of Eru, the One. Later, Morgoth desires the Silmarils created by Fëanor and that story is what comprises much of The Silmarillion. Sauron, a lieutenant of Morgoth, become the Dark Lord in Morgoth’s place and his own desire for power—a different type of power than Morgoth—becomes wrapped up in the One Ring, which then exerts its influence of desire upon any who are near it. But desire isn’t inherently negative. The tale of Beren and Luthien—modeled on Tolkien’s real-life romance with his wife—is about the desire of love. Bilbo’s desire to live simply as a Hobbit is quite commendable (in fact, see Distefano’s other Tolkien book The Wisdom of Hobbits) for that. Gandalf’s desire to free Middle-earth from Sauron’s influence is likewise a positive thing.
But maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. What is mimetic theory? Mimetic Theory and Middle-earth explains the concept in the first chapter in full, with helpful diagrams and everything, but I’ll summarize it here with one sentence from the theory’s originator, Rene Girard: “We desire what others desire because we imitate their desires.” That imitation is mimesis (to mimic). Our desires are influenced—for good and ill—by others. It is from this that rivalries are born and rivalries soon create enemies. The solution to rivalrous mimetic desire is the collaboration of friendship.
Distefano then moves into three pillars of culture and their impact on desire: prohibition, ritual, and myth. In terms of prohibition, he used The Fall of Númenor as his basis in Tolkien to show how the Valar’s preventing the Numenorians from going to the Undying Lands actually intensified their desire for immortality. Ritual gets play in both a positive and negative sense. Of particular note is Distefano’s point that non-sacrificial rituals are part of what makes us truly human. Rituals build community and commonality; it is a binding force that draws people together. Myth, then, becomes a particular culture’s way of telling that story.
From here, Mimetic Theory and Middle-earth talks about the role of the scapegoat in mimetic theory before turning to a specific discussion of the One Ring, the greatest object of desire in Tolkien’s universe. The final part deals with positive mimesis as a counter to negative mimesis, focusing particularly on the values of friendship and loyalty seen throughout Tolkien’s writing.
It’s really quite surprising how comprehensive Distefano manages to be. So many books on Tolkien’s writings focus on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit exclusively. Either that is the only content the authors think their audiences will relate to, or perhaps it’s the only content with which the author is familiar. Distefano shows incredible range and a vast knowledge of the scope of Tolkien’s legendarium, referencing not only the stories of The Silmarillion, but even parts of History of Middle-earth and other more obscure texts—the Numenorians, for instance, getting a lot of discussion with Distefano showing a good working knowledge of The Fall of Numenor. At the same time, Mimetic Theory and Middle-earth is still accessible to the casual Tolkien fan who has not read beyond Tolkien’s most popular works. Distefano writes about the less-known content in a way that readers can still follow while hopefully being driven to read those other works for context.
Tolkien studies are booming and it’s amazing that something relatively novel and original can be written out of Tolkien’s work. A lot of Tolkien books I read rehash a lot of the same themes in mostly the same way. Mimetic Theory and Middle-earth offers something new and fresh, a critical analysis of desire that honors Tolkien and his writing by taking it seriously and truly understanding his work. The Professor would be pleased.
From the very beginning, Melkor (who would become known as Morgoth), desires the power of Eru, the One. Later, Morgoth desires the Silmarils created by Fëanor and that story is what comprises much of The Silmarillion. Sauron, a lieutenant of Morgoth, become the Dark Lord in Morgoth’s place and his own desire for power—a different type of power than Morgoth—becomes wrapped up in the One Ring, which then exerts its influence of desire upon any who are near it. But desire isn’t inherently negative. The tale of Beren and Luthien—modeled on Tolkien’s real-life romance with his wife—is about the desire of love. Bilbo’s desire to live simply as a Hobbit is quite commendable (in fact, see Distefano’s other Tolkien book The Wisdom of Hobbits) for that. Gandalf’s desire to free Middle-earth from Sauron’s influence is likewise a positive thing.
But maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. What is mimetic theory? Mimetic Theory and Middle-earth explains the concept in the first chapter in full, with helpful diagrams and everything, but I’ll summarize it here with one sentence from the theory’s originator, Rene Girard: “We desire what others desire because we imitate their desires.” That imitation is mimesis (to mimic). Our desires are influenced—for good and ill—by others. It is from this that rivalries are born and rivalries soon create enemies. The solution to rivalrous mimetic desire is the collaboration of friendship.
Distefano then moves into three pillars of culture and their impact on desire: prohibition, ritual, and myth. In terms of prohibition, he used The Fall of Númenor as his basis in Tolkien to show how the Valar’s preventing the Numenorians from going to the Undying Lands actually intensified their desire for immortality. Ritual gets play in both a positive and negative sense. Of particular note is Distefano’s point that non-sacrificial rituals are part of what makes us truly human. Rituals build community and commonality; it is a binding force that draws people together. Myth, then, becomes a particular culture’s way of telling that story.
From here, Mimetic Theory and Middle-earth talks about the role of the scapegoat in mimetic theory before turning to a specific discussion of the One Ring, the greatest object of desire in Tolkien’s universe. The final part deals with positive mimesis as a counter to negative mimesis, focusing particularly on the values of friendship and loyalty seen throughout Tolkien’s writing.
It’s really quite surprising how comprehensive Distefano manages to be. So many books on Tolkien’s writings focus on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit exclusively. Either that is the only content the authors think their audiences will relate to, or perhaps it’s the only content with which the author is familiar. Distefano shows incredible range and a vast knowledge of the scope of Tolkien’s legendarium, referencing not only the stories of The Silmarillion, but even parts of History of Middle-earth and other more obscure texts—the Numenorians, for instance, getting a lot of discussion with Distefano showing a good working knowledge of The Fall of Numenor. At the same time, Mimetic Theory and Middle-earth is still accessible to the casual Tolkien fan who has not read beyond Tolkien’s most popular works. Distefano writes about the less-known content in a way that readers can still follow while hopefully being driven to read those other works for context.
Tolkien studies are booming and it’s amazing that something relatively novel and original can be written out of Tolkien’s work. A lot of Tolkien books I read rehash a lot of the same themes in mostly the same way. Mimetic Theory and Middle-earth offers something new and fresh, a critical analysis of desire that honors Tolkien and his writing by taking it seriously and truly understanding his work. The Professor would be pleased.
March 14, 2024
a creative look at mimesis!
This book did such a wonderful job conveying the idea of mimetic theory in engaging, accessible, and super creative ways- pulling in modern theories of peace and conflict, tying them together with theology, and grounding them in stories from Middle Earth. i feel like Tolkien would both approve of and enjoy this book. And, if i were teaching a class on peace studies, i would definitely use this a one of the required reading texts. All around, this is a great book.
This book did such a wonderful job conveying the idea of mimetic theory in engaging, accessible, and super creative ways- pulling in modern theories of peace and conflict, tying them together with theology, and grounding them in stories from Middle Earth. i feel like Tolkien would both approve of and enjoy this book. And, if i were teaching a class on peace studies, i would definitely use this a one of the required reading texts. All around, this is a great book.
October 26, 2024
A delightful philosophical romp through Middle Earth
Matthew J. DiStefano introduced Girard’s mimetic theory through the lens of Tolkien and the characters of Middle Earth. As someone who had never been exposed to mimetic theory, this delightful book made an excellent introduction. For Tolkien lovers like me, DiStefano makes an otherwise dry philosophical concept approachable through the power of the Middle Earth legendarium. This is a must read!
Matthew J. DiStefano introduced Girard’s mimetic theory through the lens of Tolkien and the characters of Middle Earth. As someone who had never been exposed to mimetic theory, this delightful book made an excellent introduction. For Tolkien lovers like me, DiStefano makes an otherwise dry philosophical concept approachable through the power of the Middle Earth legendarium. This is a must read!
July 15, 2025
Desire is the overlooked factor at the heart of Middle-Earth. A better reading of Girard than Thiel and Vance, and coincidentally, a pretty good reading of Tolkien too.
May 4, 2026
The explanation and incorporation of mimetic theory was really fascinating, but the book dragged on and the second half of it seemed to add very little to what became a stale idea.
July 30, 2024
3.5 stars. I heartily applaud the application of mimetic theory to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and think that Distefano brings up very interesting points in the use of mimetic theory to Middle Earth. However, I find his explanation of mimetic theory a little jumbled and in particular, his use of mimetic triangles confusing. That said, I am still think the book worthwhile and wish I could give it more stars. This book could well be a strong introduction to someone who loves Tolkein and has an inkling that they want to know more about Girard. Just don't stop at this book for mimetic theory knowledge. Go on to read René Girard's own work, and while you're at that read some of Gil Bailie.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews