Date of Award

Spring 5-8-2026

Document Type

Honors Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

English and Linguistics

Department Chair or Program Director

Jonathan Levin

First Advisor

Paul Fallon

Major or Concentration

Linguistics

Abstract

This paper examines J.R.R. Tolkien’s Quenya poem Oilima Markirya (“The Last Ark”) through a morphological analysis of its linguistic structure. By constructing a detailed morphological chart, this study analyzes noun cases, verb conjugations, and derivational patterns in the poem, demonstrating how grammatical meaning is systematically encoded in Quenya. This paper also compares multiple versions of the poem preserved in Parma Eldalamberon 16, tracing how Tolkien revised morphological forms over time. These revisions reveal a movement toward greater regularity and structural consistency, suggesting that Tolkien approached Quenya as an evolving linguistic system rather than a static invention. Ultimately, this analysis highlights the relationship between language construction and literary expression, showing how Tolkien’s philological methods shaped both the grammar and poetic function of Quenya within his broader mythopoetic framework.

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