In the life of a college student, the relentless queue of assignments and readings can make time feel a bit too orderly. That being said, sometimes going down a rabbit hole and learning something new, and totally random, can be a necessary and truly exhilarating reprieve. It is in this space that Tolkien Society, like many other clubs at the College of William and Mary, thrives.
The College’s Tolkien Society, begun in 2013, strives to provide a space for literary lovers to discuss all things Tolkien. J.R.R. Tolkien was a professor at Magdalene College Oxford, author of the famed series “The Lord of the Rings” and a famous Christian apologist. Tolkien’s pervasive influence on modern fantasy cannot be understated, expressed Anna Gillespie ’26.
“Tolkien is the father of modern fantasy,” Gillespie, queen of Tolkien Society, said. “If you want to know about fantasy, you have to read Tolkien, because that’s where pretty much everyone gets their starting point. Also, his stories are great, and they’re amazing, and if you know a lot of modern fantasy, they might surprise you because they don’t follow many of the tropes of modern fantasy.”
But don’t let the conventionality of their label fool you, because as their leadership titles hint, the Society is anything but normative. With titles like herald (secretary), queen (president) and mayor (vice president), this group sounds more like a fantasy version of a Scottish medieval court than an undergraduate club. This warm and welcoming group of Tolkien fans have sparks alight at their meetings, preferred editions of “The Silmarillion” wholly unfurled through their wild and passionate literary debates.
The club does everything from conducting reasoned death tournaments of their favorite Tolkien characters (excluding of course, the author, and the deities of Tolkien literature), to user-friendly “Lord of the Rings” movie nights and Tolkien trivia.
Members explained the death tournament, a March Madness-style bracket, where each club member nominates a Tolkien character to compete.
“They have a minute to say, ‘No, no they would totally win if they were dropped in a gladiator style arena, and only had what they had only what was on them,’” herald Phebe Gentlesk ’27 said.
For every meeting, there’s a new theme determined by its members, from the procession of fantasy characters in Tolkien’s books, to romance in Tolkien. Material never dries up in Tolkien-land for Tolkien Society. It’s the members themselves that share a vivacity and passion that keeps the club going down the hobbit hole.
“I love just the atmosphere,” mayor Tabatha Tarman ’28 said. “You wouldn’t think it from hearing the name Tolkien Society, but I have cried laughing in these meetings.”
The Tolkien Society executive committee emphasizes that at its core, Tolkien’s literature represents something modernity desperately needs: a world in which flawed characters are accepted, and fantasy is founded.
“If you read the books or watch the movies you will see the importance of hope, action and perseverance. The kindness and friendship between the Ring is beautiful. You see all those things, and the compassion they have for people who ever fail,” Tarman said.
Gentlesk, another beloved reader of “The Lord of the Rings,” and Tolkien’s other works, agreed.
“Even just reading Lord of the Rings, or watching the movies, it’s such a hopeful series at the end of the day. It’s just going through tough things, and celebrating. ‘It’s no bad thing to celebrate a simple life’ is one of the quotes from the books. It’s just so heartwarming for me, it’s something to take comfort in at the end of the day,” Gentlesk said.
Tolkien Club members emphasize that whatever your background or level of experience, they can be a forum of Tolkien for you.
“If you’re interested in the Lord of the Rings in any capacity, you can show up, and we’ll be like, ‘Oh great! Another fresh face,’” Tarman said.
For anyone who wants to go down hobbit holes, Tolkien Society meets every Monday at 8:00 p.m. in James Blair Hall 213.
