Mito e fantasia: reflexões sobre Tolkien, subcriação e tradução

Abstract

This dissertation aims to understand the connections between translation, mythopoetics and subcreation in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. To this end, the objective is to bring three main discussions: understanding J.R.R Tolkien's writing and translation profile, addressing his concept of mythopoetics and subcreation; discuss Translation Studies references to deepen the connections between translation and creation; and collectively analyze the translated works authored by J.R.R. Tolkien, to understand how these translations and epics are part of his substrate of subcreation. The guiding question throughout the study was: how did J.R.R. Tolkien use translation as a laboratory for subcreation? The hypotheses that formed the basis of the discussion were that J.R.R Tolkien aimed for a mythopoetic sub-creation laboratory and built it via translation, and that he used mythopoetics as a strategy of subcration. Thus, the theoretical contribution is based on the concepts of J.R.R. Tolkien (2013) and Tzvetan Todorov (2014) on fantasy literature and the fantastic element, to understand the fantastic nature in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, as well as the notion of the Hero's Journey by Joseph Campbell (2004) reported by Christopher Vogler (2015). The theory of polysystems elaborated by Itamar EvenZohar (1990), to understand the systemic character of J.R.R. Tolkien's production; and André Lefevere's (1992) notions about translation, manipulation and rewriting to understand the role of translation in Tolkien's formation as a writer. Thus, the works of the epic substrate analyzed are Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Beowulf and Kalevala, and of J.R.R. Tolkien's Legendarium are The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The point of contact between them came from the Arthurian legends and the character of Faramir; the hero Beowulf and the heroes of Middle-earth; the Kalevala and the elaboration of fictional languages and the link between the characters, Väinämöinen and Gandalf, and the magical objects Sampo and the One Ring. After the discussions developed in the chapters, it was possible to understand how the characters from the substrate were integrated into Tolkien's narrative, for example the case of Faramir; how the themes and representations were incorporated, in the issues of Evil incarnate, the theft of wealth, and the existence of a jewel of power. All of this was recreated (and subcreated) by J.R.R. Tolkien to shape not only his works, but also the fantasy genre as we know it today.