Tolkien’s Stories of Loss, Abandonment, and Hope: Healing Through Fantasy and Action in Life and in the Workplace

This reflective paper examines how J.R.R. Tolkien’s narratives of loss, abandonment, and eucatastrophic hope offer a meaningful interpretive lens for understanding grief and trauma within contemporary workplaces. Drawing on Tolkien’s literary theology, Campbell’s mythic structure, and current research on organisational responses to loss, the paper explores how stories can illuminate pathways toward recovery, communal support, and renewed purpose. By integrating narrative reflection with evidence‑based insights, it argues that compassionate leadership and trauma‑informed workplace cultures can foster healing analogous to the fellowships and restorative moments found in Tolkien’s legendarium.