Summer Interlude: The Lord of the Rings and the Value of Literature
Opening ourselves to the beauty of great literature allows us the opportunity to be shaped under its influence, and to lead greater, more meaningful lives as a result. And sometimes, it is incredibly difficult to achieve that openness. But goodness, it’s worth the work.
Recently, I read The Lord of the Rings trilogy for the first time. I tried to read it several times before, and despite loving The Hobbit since childhood, I found The Fellowship of the Ring to be something of a slog. I would always stop before reaching the end. However, after some regular correspondence about reading with my friend, Andrew Seeley, I decided to give it another go. And this time, I promised myself, I would finish the trilogy.
Because I was in it for the long haul, I wanted to really give these books an honest attempt. It took months. When I got to things I thought were dull, or too long (like The Council of Elrond), I would stop reading and try to think about the story from the perspective of someone inside of it. I would look at the maps in the book to orient myself in Middle Earth. I would summarize what had happened recently to my husband, who patiently listened and even asked me questions. I would ask questions of my friend, Andrew. And, what initially seemed unimportant to me eventually began to take on meaning. As time went on, I did not need to stop and do these things anymore. I now find every aspect of The Council of Elrond essential and even gripping. What started as concern for Frodo and Sam eventually extended to Tolkien’s entire world. Boy, was it rewarding—perhaps even more so because it was difficult.
My favorite aspect of the books soon became, not just the simple and innocent hobbits, but the multitude of heroic personalities in Middle Earth. Of course there is Gandalf, who is the pinnacle of goodness and wisdom in the story, but my heart also thrilled to see Aragorn become an inspiring leader and king, to witness the perfection of Faramir, and to watch Éowyn grow into a mature understanding of heroism and love, in others and in herself. These characters, believable and admirable despite their fictional setting, hold relatable human values which readers find relatable and inspiring.
It became clear to me while reading The Lord of the Rings that I was not merely there to enjoy an adventure, as I originally thought I was. Tolkien demands much more from his readers than would be required for a mere adventure story. Earnest readers of the trilogy fall in love with a massive, complicated, gorgeous world, and then watch helplessly as it reels toward imminent destruction. By falling in love with The Shire and Lothlórien, by seeing the Ents destroy Isengard, by standing witness to the bravery at Helm’s Deep, readers become invested in more than just a story. What is The Shire if not home? What is Lothlórien if not an utterly peaceful, healing oasis? Villains become corrupted through real forces of temptation we all face, even if the setting is fictional. Virtuous heroes fight valiantly for what is good and right, even in the face of certain doom. What happens to Middle Earth matters in a very real sense because, through it, readers see all of their most important values at stake.
Reading The Lord of the Rings with great attention puts us more in touch with this world. By requiring so much from his readers, Tolkien encourages them to sympathize, to see value where others don’t, to admire heroism, and to love beauty. And those things are essential to enjoying life, not just in Middle Earth, but right here.
I’ve been saying for a long time that great literature enriches our lives. That, where you sow a seed of beauty, something ugly or evil cannot take root. Let The Lord of the Rings serve as yet another example of this value, and let it also serve as a reason you should read things you think you won’t like. You might be surprised.
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.
—J.R.R. Tolkien
Some Favorite Quotes
“‘… The praise of the praiseworthy is above all rewards.’”
“‘Do not scorn pity that is the gift of a gentle heart, Éowyn!’”
“Then the heart of Éowyn changed, or else at last she understood it. And suddenly her winter passed, and the sun shone on her.”
“Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.”
“‘It’s the job as never started as takes longest to finish.’”
“It was Sam’s first view of a battle of Men against Men, and he did not like it much. He was glad that he could not see the dead face. He wondered what the man’s name was and where he came from; and if he was really evil of heart, or what lies or threats had led him on the long march from his home; and he would rather have stayed there in peace.”
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was a light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach. His song in the Tower had been defiance rather than hope; for then he was thinking of himself. Now, for a moment, his own fate, and even his master’s, ceased to trouble him. He crawled back into the brambles and laid himself by Frodo’s side, and putting away all fear he cast himself into a deep untroubled sleep.”
“‘Despair, or folly? … It is not despair, for despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not. It is wisdom to recognize necessity, when all other courses have been weighed, though as folly it may appear to those who cling to false hope. Well, let folly be our cloak, a veil before the eyes of the Enemy!’”