Myth, folklore and the journey motif in John Tolkien’s the hobbit and Nnedi Okorafor’s Zarah the windseeker

Abstract

Several African and European writers have for several years, largely explored various aspects of myth, folktale, and the journey motif in their creative works as means of portraying the history, culture, belief systems and traditions of their people. Existing studies have also focused largely on the representations of myth, folktale, and the journey motif in The Hobbit by John Tolkien and Nnedi Okorafor’s Zarah the Windseeker respectively. However, there have been few attempts at a comparative study between these two novels from different regions of the world. Thus, this research is a comprehensive and comparative approach to myth, folktale and the journey motif in these two novels. Myth and Folklore serve as the theoretical framework for this study. Two novels are selected from two creative writers: a European and an African writer, a male and female, from different geographical regions based on their thematic relevance and a similar approach to this discourse. The novel selected from the European region is The Hobbit by John Ronald Tolkien while Zarah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor represents the African region. Critical analysis of the novels reveal several similar elements of myth and folktale inherent in them as well as reveals the historical, cultural and sociological backgrounds and influences of these elements. The journey motif is also largely explored in this research as a significant element essential for the transformation and growth of certain characters in the novels. Myth and folktale serve as a veritable means of understanding the culture, values and beliefs of the people. Hence, these novels serve as a relatable medium for portraying the depth and beliefs of these societies at certain historical periods.