Finding Footing in a Forest of Fins: Name Etymology as a Characterization Technique of the Finwëan Noldor

Published on 7 April 2018 | Conference Paper

Tolkien often uses etymology to develop narrative by exploring what Tom Shippey terms an "asterisk-world." This paper, presented at the 2018 Tolkien at UVM Conference, explores the concept of "asterisk characterization," or the use of characters' names to develop their personalities and narratives, with a specific emphasis on Fëanor, Finwë, Curufin, and Maedhros.