J.R.R. Tolkien and Fantasy

Author

• John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, died in 1973, was an English writer, poet, and academic
• He is most notable for his fantasy novels The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit
• He created stunning illustrations of his Middle-earth universe
• He is considered a main reason fantasy is the way it is now, which influenced modern fantasy

How Tolkien Changed Fantasy

• Tolkien did not create the fantasy genre; that honor goes to George MacDonald
• Tolkien's novel, The Lord of the Rings, changed the fantasy genre to what it is known as today
• The main characteristics of high fantasy are a hero, a fictional world setting, growth of the hero, learning, and eventual victory over evil forces

The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

• Both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings tell the story of a hobbit's journey (Bilbo and Frodo)
• The protagonists also experience personal growth, and defeat evil
• The Lord of the Rings was published in 1954, inspiring many high fantasy works

Symbolism of the Ring

• Diverse interpretations exist regarding The Lord of the Rings, in both books and movies
• Tolkien created Middle-earth, a comprehensive world that facilitates extensive analysis
• The One Ring serves as the story's most significant symbol, with Tolkien leaving its meaning open to interpretation
• The ring possesses dark powers capable of obsession and control over its bearers

One Ring as a Representation of Evil

• The One Ring signifies pure, unmotivated Evil, not merely hate or envy
• Lord Sauron forged the One Ring in Mount Doom's fires and exists as an inhuman spirit, unaffected by time or physical laws
• Sauron's soul is bound to the One Ring and his power remains even after his physical defeat
• Sauron's power to control and influence others is seen via the One Ring; his goal is to destroy Middle Earth
• The One Ring is an unstoppable source of devastation, darkness, and death
• Evil in Tolkien's world is portrayed as an external force that needs to be destroyed
• Evil embodies the spirit of Evil itself, rather than villainy or cruelty
• The One Ring is simply Evil, and seeks to capture anyone who comes near it
• Evil's strength lies in its lack of goals or desires
• Evil seeks only to destroy, therefore, it cannot negotiate
• The One Ring can only be destroyed in Mount Doom's fires, where Sauron created it originally, which may symbolize Satan

Power and Corruption

• The One Ring wields its power through its bearer and affects people significantly
• Frodo's pure heart is believed to make him the strongest against the Ring's power but even he succumbs to its influence near Mount Doom
• The idea of "absolute power corrupts absolutely" aligns with the One Ring, designed to "Rule Them All" and grant ultimate power
• While power is not inherently negative, it can corrupt, which carries a message about human nature
• Boromir becomes power-hungry in a short time and attempts to kill Frodo, and Galadriel desires to become queen with total power
• Whoever possesses the Ring will be controlled by it, so even gazing upon it is risky
• Hobbits are less vulnerable as seen by Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, demonstrated by a lack of interest in power
• Elves and men are more likely to be corrupted as they often dream of thrones and power
• Frodo's ability to resist temptation and the Ring's destruction are more accidental than him resisting the Ring's power
• Gollum attacks Frodo to reclaim the Ring, biting off his finger in the process, and celebrates regaining his "precious"
• Frodo pushes Gollum and the Ring into the fire, thus acting out of the same desire to claim the Ring for himself
• Their struggle over the Ring leads to the pair falling into the lava where the One Ring is destroyed and Frodo nearly dies
• Frodo's own desire causes the Ring to be destroyed
• The One Ring highlights that power corrupts those who possess it

Addiction

• Individuals are compelled to possess the One Ring when they see it and become hypnotized by it
• Gandalf and Aragorn avoid taking the Ring and instead pass it on to Frodo
• Once the Ring is worn, it is difficult to relinquish, akin to drug addiction
• Gollum's obsession symbolizes addiction, which ruins his life by causing loneliness, personality changes, and sickness
• The One Ring symbolizes addiction to drugs, gambling, or alcohol

Wealth and Greed

• The One Ring represents wealth and symbolizes materialism through its form and gold
• Like Smaug's treasure in The Hobbit, humans exhibit a natural desire for jewels and wealth as signs of power
• Although crowns bring images of authority and gold represents comfort, these desires result in greed and corruption
• The One Ring is wanted by people to possess or destroy it but they often want it for themselves because greed consumes them
• People may claim noble intentions for wanting the Ring, but these claims are often lies that mask the greedy desires
• The Ring remains lost for centuries until Gollum rediscovers it, thus causing the greed it brings to proliferate
• The One Ring shows human greed due to it being a golden object of value
• Love, friendship, and nature should be prioritized more than the One Ring
• The One Ring causes corruption in humans who cannot let go of it once they get it
• The One Ring represents material power, which symbolizes wealth which causes greed and corruption