Just thought I would mention this. I would like to hear what everyone thinks about this. I know that Tolkien himself never wanted anyone to over analyze his books or compare them to anything going on in the world. But I think it's eerie, that there are so many parallels to the story and current events. There is a great war going on, just like the war on terrorism. There are two evils that must be defeated, Sauron and Saruman. In today's world it is Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussain. Or some think it may be Korea and the middle east. Look at a map of middle earth. The hobbits were from the west, just like US and Britain. The enemy is in the east. If you look at a map of Middle Earth and then a map of Europe and Asia, the shire is located in western Europe, Isengard (Saruman) is located in the middle east and Mordor (Sauron) is located near Korea. Eerie, huh? The fellowship, US, Britian and their allies, Two Towers, World Trade Center. Return of the King, return of a free life for Afghanistan and Iraq. I know this thread would make Tolkien angry, because he wanted his books to be an escape from reality, and they were never meant to be compared to real life. But in today's time, it makes you wonder. What do you think?
What was that sound? Ah yes, Tolkien rolling over in his grave. The book was not meant to be political. You can often compare evil charaters to evil people in the world.
I mean, it's just proof of how timeless and classic this book is. You can apply it to any time or place. that's why so many people relate to it and are touched by the story. It gives us hope.
Hmmm... maybe you're right. It's just, I didn't really applied the story to the goings-on in the world till i read your post, Heather... At least not consciously. Who knows what inspired Tolkien to write about the bad East and good West (NOT!allegorically)? Maybe the troubles with Soviet Union that were going on in his time?
I'm not saying that Tolkien wrote this way at all, I am just saying that it's interesting how you can relate a story to real life. Some people have said that the books are racist in that the "black" riders are bad and Gandalf the "white" is good. I think that is non sense.
Totally non-sense, since those who are not illiterate know that the book is based on dualism in Scandinavian, Nordic and Slavic mythology, where there are good, white gods, and black, bad gods. I doubt Tolkien co-operated with KKK on that one... but then again... there are people that only see what is under their noses. *rolls eyes*
ughhhhhhhhhh Heather don't destroy Tolkien for me........... already I have to hear that the movies are anti-African........... (ie The Two (black) towers....... the orcs and Ura-Kai being black with dreadlocks, etc), don't mix politics with Tolkien as that was never HIS intent........ I mean you are free to post what you want but just remember that Tolkien used his books as a mean for one to escape reality, not face it and find similarities.........
Maja88 said this in post #12 : Yeah, Tolkien's books are to me too a shelter from the world outside, not a reflection of it. Not that the world isn't good--it is, altogether--- :
Maja, I think Middle Earth has become a Haven for many of us.
The book was not meant to be political. You can often compare evil charaters to evil people in the world.
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with LotR. I just re-read Story of Arwen and Aragorn... man I needed it...