In the Preface, O'Neill writes that he was inspired to write this book as a rebuttal against some scholars' attempts to analyze
J.R.R. Tolkien’s works from a
Freudian lens. O’Neill uses the first two chapters to explain key concepts of
Jungian theory, as well as
psychoanalysis and
Humanism, to provide readers with a working background knowledge of relevant theories about personality before diving into the contents of Tolkien’s novels. The next chapters focus on applying the aforementioned theories to prominent fictional characters in Tolkien’s
Middle-earth and connecting their personalities with
Jungian archetypes. O'Neill argues that numerous characters, such as
Frodo Baggins, exhibit the philosophical concept of
self-realization. Additionally, he connects
Gandalf,
Beorn, and
Gollum with the archetypes of the
Wise Old Man, the
Self, and the
Shadow, respectively. The final chapter discusses archetypes in relation to
allegory. Although O’Neill acknowledges that Tolkien disliked allegory, he argues that Tolkien was perhaps unintentionally influenced by elements of Jungian theory nevertheless, meaning that allegorical studies of
The Lord of the Rings and Tolkien’s other works are not necessarily fruitless. ==Reception==