THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING

"Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
   Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
   One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
   One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
   One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie."


I guess this quote from TLOTR series is familiar to everyone who has read the series.  It certainly sums up the point of the story and what to expect from them.  I have recently become a major fan of the tv show Big Bang Theory; they did an episode where the guys get a replica of the Ring from the movies and they go crazy over the "Precious."  Of course, I didn't see this episode until I was well into reading the series, so it made the episode that more more interesting, and funny, for me!

One of the things that has stood out to me the most in reading this series is the Forward written by Tolkien himself.  For as long as I can remember, I have been told (and believed it to be utterly true) that TLOTR series is a modern-day allegory and that Tolkien and C. S. Lewis challenged each other write true, modern-day allegories--which we've believed became, for Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings (the whole series), and for Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia series.

But, according to Tolkien himself, TLOTR is in no way an allegory:  "As for any inner meaning or 'message', it has in the intention of the author none.  It is neither allegorical nor topical.  As the story grew it put down roots (into the past) and threw out unexpected branches:  but its main theme was settled from the outset by the inevitable choice of the Ring as the link between it and The Hobbit. . . I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence.  I much prefer history, true or feigned, with its varied applicability to the thought and experience of readers.  I think that many confuse 'applicability' with 'allegory'" but the one resides in the freedom of the reader, and the other in the purposed domination of the author" (10-11).  I must admit that reading these words straight from Tolkien himself were somewhat of a shock.

As a teacher, I pride myself on teaching my students true and factual information as much as possible as far as literature is concerned.  As even Tolkien himself notes, readers take rich and varied nuances from their own readings and thus their interpretations of their readings are as rich and varied as the readers themselves----which is why Reader Response Criticism has become an acceptable way of looking at and interpreting literature regardless of how the true critic of literature feel about it. The point I am trying to get at is that for years, I have taught that TLOTR is a purposeful allegory, but now, upon reading the series for myself (finally), I learn that I have been teaching incorrect information!!!

It just goes to show that no matter who tells us something that is believed to be truth, we must research and learn for ourselves the real truth.  It's the reason why students should always read the literature for themselves rather than simply trusting the teacher and/or classmates' discussions to determine what a story is truly about.

I am reminded of the fallacies so many people believe regarding Frankenstein.  Only those of us who have read this wonderful book by Mary Shelley know of the richness of story as well as the fact that the Creature is never named.  While the public has called the Creature "Frankenstein" for as long as I can remember, that name belongs to the CreatOR, not the creatURE.  We've also always called him "Dr." Victor Frankenstein, when in all reality, Victor never was a "doctor" of any kind.  The way the story reads, it is doubtful that Victor even finished his college education!

It is important for readers to read the material for themselves and not simply trust what others say about certain works.  That goes for so-called facts about the stories as well as for opinions about the stories.  What one person finds awful, the worst thing ever, another may find to be life-changing.  It has always been that way for me as far as reading is concerned (and for movies, too).  I have found that I absolutely LOVE books/stories that friends, critics, the general public, etc. find absolutely horrid and that I wonder how some of books considered great by these same people ever were even published!!!

Read the story for yourself!!!  Find out for yourself the truths of the story....the facts.....the details.  Don't believe everything you hear without the facts (reading the story for yourself) to back up your information!!!!

Work Cited

Tolkien, J. R. R.  Foreward.  The Lord of the Rings:  The Fellowship of the Ring.  New York:  Ballantine Books, 1955.  8-12.  Print.