Book Review: The Lord of The Rings
This week I wanted to organize my thoughts on The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. There is so much one could say about such a work and I want to pinpoint what is most important for me. As I am writing this essay, the first thing that comes to mind is the feeling of the work. The Hobbits of the Shire and their comeliness, the elegance of the Elves and the passing of their time, the nobility of Men and their mission to protect their realm.
I think most authors set out to capture a certain feeling or sensation when they write: the cosiness of sharing a pipe and beer with friends, the awe and wonder of discovering a new world, the fear when opposed by a great foe, and the bravery with which one endures great hardship. These things are so central to being human and yet at times it can be difficult to share these perspectives. We see the world only through our own eyes, and experience it only through our own senses, how do we know that what another feels, we feel?
It is in this regard that I am very taken aback by The Lord of The Rings. I had seen movies and I assumed that I would not be so touched by Tolkien’s work, but I was mistaken. For those that might not be aware, the beginning of the Fellowship is written through Biblo’s perspective with the remainder of the work being of Frodo’s. When the Hobbits reach Rivendell, the perspective shifts, and the calm and comforting world of the shire which Bilbo describes with such affection, is replaced by a colder world, a realer world, which resembles more our own.
But in this darker place, Tolkien summons up the bravery and courage of Hobbits so much so that the reader identifies with them. We too might be smaller than some, we might be weaker in some regard, and yet, the true power which we can draw upon resides in the heart. This, if anything, is what I draw from Tolkien’s work.
In this, I find myself particularly interested in the ending of The Lord of the Rings, namely the Scouring of the Shire. For those of you who have not seen the movie, suffice it to say that this chapter — the entire arc of saving the Shire from Saruman and his ruffians — does not happen. It is not even in the movie. And so, when I first read it I was quite surprised. But more than this, I felt that Tolkien sought to deliver a final message with the chapter.
I always felt, when seeing the movies, that the people of the Shire had it easy. Four of their kind disappeared to who-knows-where and then only when they came back did they realize that their world was in danger. The Hobbits of the Shire passed through the reckoning without a care in the world and without even realizing it needed saving. It seemed to me that in their ignorance they avoided taking responsibility for their own safety.
With the Scouring of the Shire, however, a small shadow of Mordor does pass over the Shire and so the effects of Sauron’s evil are felt and must be dealt with. Moreover, Frodo, Merry, Pippin, and Sam all show how they have changed thanks to their journey. They are brave, and driven, and take action to save the Shire. This is their final test, and they prevail. I had not realized before how necessary this conclusion was for the story, but it gives it a sense of completeness that I now wonder if the films lack.
To sum up, I was deeply moved by Tolkien’s work. Often when a book is so popular it is difficult for it to reach up to its hype. But this was not the case for The Lord of the Rings. It did not only meet my expectations but surpassed them. And I am in awe that such a work exists. It feels like Tolkien wished to create a modern myth for our world and succeeded even without Troy and Mount Olympus. And in this, I am quite grateful.
