Since 1954, the debate about possible racial prejudices in J.R.R. Tolkien’s narrative has been present, especially in the representation of orcs and other peoples. A new course at the University of Nottingham, titled Imagining Britain: Decolonising Tolkien, has revived this controversy. Although the program does not directly accuse Tolkien of racism, it does address how British myths, including those of Tolkien, have shaped national identity and how they could be reinterpreted from a contemporary perspective.
A question that has never stopped being asked
Critics point to the representation of orcs, often described as grotesque and morally inferior, as an example of dehumanization that facilitates the identification of these creatures with “races” considered inferior. This interpretation has been supported by recent studies highlighting the opposition between the West and the East in Tolkien’s work, suggesting that there may be an echo of British colonial concerns. However, researchers like Dr. Dimitra Fimi argue that Tolkien himself condemned ideologies of racial superiority and that his work reflects a moral complexity that should not be simplified into labels of racism.
Although some characters may seem like incarnations of absolute evil, others show an ethical depth that allows for redemption, complicating traditional readings. Moreover, the narrative core of The Lord of the Rings revolves around the cooperation of various races, showing that unity in diversity is fundamental in the fight against a common enemy.
With the imminent release of the new season of The Rings of Power, which promises to include actors of various ethnicities, the debate about interpretation and representation in Tolkien’s work could intensify even further. This phenomenon invites reflection on how contemporary readers perceive Middle-earth and its cultural implications in a current context.
