Lord of the Rings - Good vs. Evil

• What does the work tell us about right and wrong? Or the nature of good and evil? 

The entire The Lord of The Rings Trilogy is based upon the conflict between good and evil and how these motives are created around the creation of a single ring. J.R.R. Tolkien places two very different forms of evil which pit against the struggling form of good. The two forms of evil are motivated by two different objectives and are personified in their own unique ways. The armies of Saruman the White are led by forces of Urukai, a greater force of Orcs, which are bred for one purpose, to simply gain power. Urukai are bred as skilled fighters and are organized but, with their ignorance to the world around them and their willingness to take commands to slowly gain leverage against the rival armies. Sauron's army are bred to spread chaos and to simply destroy everything in their path, while in pursuit of the ring to bring back their master and conquer the entire world.

While evil has two sides the forces of good are less divided and most are all in favor of the same motive, which is to destroy the ring. The forces of good are separated though at some points in the story as a few characters mean to take the Ring from Frodo and mean to use it themselves. Many others are able to resist the urge to take the ring and support the destruction of it. I believe the work tells us that there are many forms of good and evil and that each intent can be driven equally as strong, though when these intents entwine the result can be destructive and chaotic.


To view more quotes and views on the outcome of the story and its contrasts between good and evil follow the website below:
http://www.shmoop.com/fellowship-of-ring/good-evil-quotes.html

The Fellowship of Ring - Important line from the chapter

·         The most important line from a chapter is…  (and explain why it is important and how the plot develops from that line)

 I believe the most important line from the chapter, and a throughout all of the series, was:

 "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the Darkness bind them."  

    This quote really caught my eye because it was repeated from the beginning of the book and multiple times throughout. The quote refers to the simplest item you could think of: a plain gold ring, not embedded with any jewels or gemstones and yet not a scratch can be made on it. I really liked the symbolism that J.R.R. Tolkien used to describe it, because it is very simple and if it weren't a magical ring and didn't have an influence over others you might just not see it in the first place. The quote also supports how this ring that Frodo carries can determine the entire world's chance of survival against the servants of the enemy.

      The novel began by providing a effortless venture, that later presents a tense and slightly chilling story as Frodo and his companions try to escape the Nazgul. Nevertheless the plot changes almost as soon as this line is uttered by Gandalf and fear chills the bones of the council as they comprehend the true power behind the ring. This quote also encourages the group to proceed with their quest with haste and to deliver the Ring to Mount Doom, the origin of its creation, as quickly and stealthy as possible. Finally, I really enjoyed the quote because it used anaphora to catch your attention, and it consistently reminds you of this Ring's power and the potential it has to change the world for the worst.


If you'd like to read more of Tolkien's quotes visit Goodreads.com to explore his writing style.
(Or use this website: < http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3462456-the-lord-of-the-rings > )

Fellowship of the Ring - Suspense

              ·         Discuss the way the author built suspense in the book.  Was it effective?

          I believe that the author did a excellent work on creating a final suspenseful atmosphere at the end of the first half of the book. By providing a scene where the main character, Frodo, escapes narrowly from the Nazgul. Then with a little outside help, the hobbit is saved leaving you feeling a sense of relief for the him. Though to further this feeling of suspense Tolkien has Frodo faint from his fatal wound he received from the Ringwraiths. The ending provides you with two points of suspense meet their end within seconds of one another.  

          Suspense built across the book by beginning on the road where Frodo, Sam and Pippin first run into one of the nine Nazgul and are forced to find refuge with a group of vagabond elves heading to The Gray Havens. Slowly they are stalked by five of the nine and are set back significantly on their journey. Finally the hobbits meet up with Merry and Strider and encounter the Nazgul at Weathertop, where the Witch King (leader of the Nazgul) stabs Frodo and leaves him deathly sick. Below I have presented the film version of Frdo's escape from te Nazgul wth the Elf Arwen.