J. R. R. Tolkien lived through both World Wars and participated in one, which some speculate influenced his writing around fantastical wars in his legendarium. How might The Children of Húrin’s depictions of battle resonate or contrast with the wars of the early 20th century?

Tolkien was heavily influenced by Germanic and Anglo-Saxon legends such as Beowulf when writing various stories in his legendarium. How do the themes of The Children of Húrin and Beowulf compare? Alternately, select another classic work of literature for comparison with the novel.

The Children of Húrin is broadly about the struggle of Fate Versus Free Will. The characters struggle to define their own destinies but inevitably fall into ruin. Using the events of the novel, discuss which of the two Tolkien portrays as dominant through this narrative—fate or free will.