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The Lord of the Rings
Part I. The Fellowship of the Ring
Review of J.R.R. Tolkien's Novel
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| Bilbo is unlike most
of his kind, for he left his home country and had an adventure many years ago, a very unnatural thing for a
Hobbit! As he is getting old, he decides
to leave again and
bequeathes most of his possessions to his adopted nephew, Frodo. Amongst all the wealth he inherits is a small ring of
very simple appearance. Soon however, it is revealed to be an old magic jewel wielding terrifying power and
sought by its maker, Sauron, an ancient evil who has recently awakened again. If the Dark Lord
was to retrieve his ring, it would give him uncontrollable destructive power over all.
Soon Bilbo's well-meaning gift turns into a great burden
for his young nephew whose life becomes inextricably linked to the ring. Forced into exhile, Frodo must flee from
danger to danger, in a seemingly hopeless attempt to escape Sauron's servants, who are forever hunting him. But his most
difficult fight may be against himself, as he must resist the poisonous corruptive influence of the malignant ring upon
his own soul and face the huge responsibility that he carries as bearer of the One ring towards all the Free people
of Middle-Earth. |
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| One of, if not THE, most beloved fantasy
novel of all times, Tolkien's enchanting masterpiece is definitely a fantasy tale in essence, but it feels also at the
same time both historical and mythologic, realistic and dreamlike, harsh and sweet, simplistic and intricate,
classic and original. The world of Middle-Earth and its people are given so much cultural and historical background
that they seem absolutely real, though at the same time, completely otherworldly since it is inhabited by immortal
elves and other imaginary beings and creatures, mostly inspired from Nordic mythology. The plot seems very simple
and so does the author claims in his preface, that no allegory should be assigned to his words, that his
work is merely en entertaining tale, its success maybe lies in the fact that it it is still more subtle and
touches people universally. It is said in the
novel that Sauron was not always evil and some good characters can become corrupted, not to mention that even
the most likeable sweetest characters occasionally
have strong violent impulses, for instance when Frodo feels a desire to strike his dear uncle Bilbo.
So though it seems at first merely a story about good versus evil, it is about people very much like us and
about a world very much like ours in many ways too. Friendship, love, war, fear, racism, class, loss, death,
responsibility, doubts, pain, joy are all themes that all readers can relate to. Lord of the
Rings is a celebration of courage, friendship and selflessness above all differences; above class, cultures,
family feuds, races, age etc.
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| There was a great tradition in most
cultures to share from one generation to the next certain values and ideals through the telling of tales and songs.
This
cultural heritage has now been diminished to a genre, fantasy, favoured only by a few adepts and not often worthy
ot its origins. Stories rarely have now the particular quality of these tales of old, told around a fire. But Tolkien's
work does and this is actually how the author first created the novel: in the telling of stories to his family.
Tales played an important role in moral, cultural, philosophical and political education but also satisfied the human need
for stories
that take you away on a journey to stranger, beautiful and terrifying lands, from which you return somehow changed, with an
everlasting memory, having learnt and felt many things which you can bring back to the real world.
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| So just like
the fictitious people from Middle-Earth who enter Tolkien's imaginary Lothlórien do come out changed, most earthly readers who
finish his novel feel enriched in a way, though of course it varies from one person to the next. Some even only
seem to experience little more than great boredom but the patient readers are well-rewarded. This is not
like most 'commercial' art when often little or no effort is required of the receiver, when it is purely meant to
entertain so it is a bit more difficult at first, but the readers come out with much more to feed
their minds afterwards. Tolkien's work is extremely rich and varied, the language is quite poetic, both in its
use of literary and made-up dreamlike words, as well as in their carefully arranged sonorities. The extensive descriptions
are so meticulous and detailed that they bring vivid clear images to the mind of the amazing world of Middle-Earth.
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