WWI and International Relations Replica

Lord of the Rings Trilogy Forum

I find it disappointing to see that no one had mentioned anything about the political aspects of the movie and how this movie related to the past and present. It really reflects the time it was written in. I believe the book was written just after WWI when the "machine" or technology was booming. I see this movie as a reflection of the world at this time.
I view the ring as the ultimate power and how every state is trying to gain this power. The Hobbits would represent nations like Ireland whom don't care for that type of power. Frodo, Aragorn... are all other nations. Also, I view Mordor as the machine. For example, in Helms Deep, the Oruks used black powder, something never seen before. That is like technology. Also, in Mordor, weapons were being created at a very fast rate. Another thing I notice was that the dwarfs, man, elves... did not want to help unles it was going to benefit them. For example, the trees were not going to help until they relized they were directly affected.
I really don't want to write any more, but I think it would be somthing worth talking about a bit more.

It's kind of funny. When I got done writing that, I did a Google search to see if there was anything on WWI and LOTR and here is an interesting web site. I haven't explored it yet, but it looks like it will support my theory.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/n...influences.html

Tolkien started the Lord of the Rings after he had completed the Hobbit. I believe it was started in 1936. Tolkien disliked people comparing his book to events in certain wars and reading things into it. This quote is from the foreward in LOTR

"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 believe because it was such a masterful tale, the Lord of the Rings causes us to think about many different things that have occured over time.

You have a good point maren, but don't ruin a good fantasy tale by over analyzing it. Remember, this a book that some consider a children's story that adults have come to love.

I want to resurrect this thread because the website is very informative, if you are interested in learning more about Tolkien's military influence in LOTR.