Literature References
Some books on trolls deliver the old Scandinavian stereotypical
troll in their tales. Listed and briefly described below are a few examples
of books that follow some of the original cultural characteristics but
also depart from the original tales. Below the annoted bibliography
is a page from the article “Troll” from Wikipedia describing
trolls in other literature.
Jethro and Joel were a troll by Bill Peet is a troll-story of a two
headed troll who goes on a rampage through the countryside. He ventures
out during the day in the sunshine and is not magical. He ends up wanting
to be friends with humans and doing good deeds for them ie. building
castles. (Peet 1987)
Boots and the Seven Leaguers by Jane Yolan presents a modern day troll
story in which trolls, main characters, are good workers that are part
of a larger kingdom ruled by the Queen and her court. The trolls possess
some of the characteristics of trolls in folklore but family structure
and activities are quite different than presented in folklore tales
from Scandinavia. (Yolen 2000)
Then the Troll Heard the Squeak by Kevin Hawkes is a modern day troll
story in which the troll is portrayed as a helper to the family solving
a problem with Little Miss Terry. (Hawkes 1991)
A Ride on the Red Mare’s Back by Ursula K. LeGuin is a much more
of a classic tale of mountain trolls abducting a small child. His sister
goes to rescue him with only a wooden red mare in her hand. The mare
comes to life when the sister reaches the mountain where her brother
is being held and she describes some of the troll culture as she moves
through the environment.(LeGuin 1992)
A Troll Story by Nicholas Heller is a modern troll tale in which a boy
can turn himself into a troll when he wishes. He has some characteristics
of trolls being very large but does not really follow the folklore image
of a troll. (Heller 1990)
Trouble with Trolls by Jan Brett is a tale of a young girl and some
trolls who wish to have her dog. It is typical of folkloric troll tales
in that the young girl outsmarts the trolls in the end. Trolls are able
to be out in the daylight in this book and are rather small but still
possess little intelligence. (Brett 1992)
Laurel the Woodfairy by Cassie Kendall is the story of a woodfairy who
is captured by a number of trolls and brought back to their village
to be made into a feast for all. Troll culture is depicted in a folkloric
manner describing the living community and the rudimentary government
with a king and his peoples. Treasures found in this community are noted
and the merriment of celebration and music always played out of tune
is emphasized. Laurel is able to outsmart the trolls and get away by
playing her flute in tune. (Kendall)
Trolls in Literature
“The Swedish-speaking Finnish author Tove Jansson has reached
a world-wide audience with her Moomintrolls.
In the novels by the distinguished Swedish-speaking Finnish paleontologist
Björn Kurtén, e.g. Dance of the Tiger, Neanderthals are
named "Trolls" by modern man.
In J. R. R. Tolkien's world of Middle-earth, trolls are very large (around
9 feet tall) humanoids of poor intellect. They turn to stone when exposed
to sunlight. In The Lord of the Rings, a new breed appears, called the
Olog-hai. Unlike the old trolls, they are capable of speech and movement
under sunlight.
In the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett, trolls are large creatures
who are composed of rock. They have a cultural tendency towards violence,
and their intelligence is inversely proportional to the temperature,
making them quite unintelligent in warm climates.
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, trolls are tall and
skinny monsters with large, pointy noses and green skin. In D&D,
trolls steadily regenerate all damage unless it is caused by acid or
fire. (This version of troll originated with the Poul Anderson story
Three Hearts and Three Lions.)
In the Earthdawn role-playing game, trolls are a tall, muscular and
honorable race which players can role-play. Earthdawn trolls have curling
horns like goats, lots of body hair and enlarged lower canines.
In the world of Harry Potter, trolls are giant monsters that kill everyone
they encounter. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Harry and
Ron save Hermione from a full-grown mountain troll. There are a few
other subsequent mentions of trolls; for example it was rumored that
Harry's Firebolt, which Dolores Umbridge "confiscated" was
guarded by troll. In the film, the troll was animated with computer-generated
imagery.” (2004)
Bibliography
(2004). Troll. Wikipedia, MediaWiki.
Brett, J. (1992). The Trouble with Trolls. New York, G.P. Putnam's Sons.
Hawkes, K. (1991). Then the Troll Heard the Squeak. New York, Lothrop,
Lee & Shephard Books.
Heller, N. (1990). A Troll Story. New York, Greenwillow Books.
Kendall, C. Laurel the Woodfairy. Manchester, NH, Just Pretend, a Kid
Galaxy Company.
LeGuin, U. K. (1992). A Ride on the Red Mare's Back. New York, Orchard
Books.
Peet, B. (1987). Jethro and Joel Were a Troll. Boston, Houghton Mifflin
Co.
Yolen, J. (2000). Boots and the Seven Leaguers. San Deigo, Harcourt,
Inc.
