Lord Of The Rings The Mythology Of Power – Jane Chance

Gandalf’s lesson to Wormtongue (and Théoden and Rohan) reveals clearly that appearances may mask a higher reality—a lesson in symbolism and courtesy. The appearances of the three followers belie their regal identity, that is, as Elendil’s heir, Elf, and Dwarf. Moreover, Gandalf reveals that these three are clad in humble raiment because the Elves bestowed that gray clothing on them.

But this bestowal is falsely termed by Wormtongue an alliance with the deceptive, web-weaving “Sorceress of the Golden Wood” (2:150), Galadriel herself. Gandalf then, snakelike, sheds his false outer appearance of the weak old man, dependent on staff, to sing of Galadriel without stain—that is, to reveal the truth, to put on the new person: “The wise speak only of what they know, Gríma son of Gálmód.

A witless worm have you become. Therefore be silent, and keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a serving- man till the lightning falls” (2:151). Wormtongue twists words and meanings to serve his own purpose, and that of Saruman, but it is not the purpose of truth or of Rohan. Furthermore, Wormtongue’s counsel to Théoden has heightened the fear of the old king in order to subvert Théoden’s sovereign role to that of the “serving-man,” Wormtongue.

Gandalf’s rescue alerts Théoden to light instead of dark, to hope instead of despair, by means of encouraging instead of critical and destructive words. Wormtongue has scolded Théoden, “Did I not counsel you, lord, to forbid his staff? That fool, Háma, has betrayed us!” (2:151), criticizing both Théoden’s folly in not listening to Wormtongue and Háma’s folly. What exactly does Gandalf say to evoke a change in Théoden that restores him to his rightful place as sovereign?

He urges optimism—courage and wisdom— in a respectful manner. Gandalf declares, “Not all is dark. Take courage, Lord of the Mark; for better help you will not find. No counsel have I to give to those that despair. Yet counsel I could give, and words I could speak to you. Will you hear them? They are not for all ears.

I bid you come out before your doors and look abroad.

Publication of this volume was made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Copyright © 2001 by The University Press of Kentucky Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University.

All rights reserved. Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky 663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508–4008 05 04 03 02 5 4 3 2 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Chance, Jane, 1945- The lord of the rings : the mythology of power / Jane Chance.—Rev. ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-8131-9017-7 (pbk. : acid-free paper) 1. Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973. Lord of the rings. 2. Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973—Political and social views.

3. Politics and literature—Great Britain—History—20th century. 4. Literature and society—Great Britain—History—20th century. 5. Political fiction, English—History and criticism. 6. Fantasy fiction, English— History and criticism. 7. Power (Social sciences) in literature. 8. Middle Earth (Imaginary place) 9. Myth in literature. I. Title. PR6039.O32 L6332 2001 823′.912—dc21 2001002583 This book is printed on acid-free recycled paper meeting the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials.

Manufactured in the United States of America OceanofPDF.com CONTENTS Note on the References and Acknowledgments Chronology: J.R.R. Tolkien’s Life and Works 1. Introduction: A Voice for the Dispossessed 2. “Queer” Hobbits: The Problem of Difference in the Shire 3. The Political Hobbit: The Fellowship of the Ring 4. Knowledge, Language, and Power: The Two Towers 5. Power and the Community: The Return of the King 6. Conclusion: Heroic Narrative and the Power of Structure Notes An Annotated Bibliography: Recommended Works by and about Tolkien About the Author Index OceanofPDF.com NOTE ON THE REFERENCES AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The edition of The Lord of the Rings used throughout is the three-volume standard second edition published in London by Allen and Unwin in 1966 and in Boston by Houghton Mifflin in 1967 (Ballantine Books reprinted a revised paper edition in 1965).

References to The Lord of the Rings (henceforth LotR in my text) appear within parentheses and indicate volume and page numbers: The Fellowship of the Ring (Fellowship) being volume 1; The Two Towers (Towers), 2; and The Return of the King (Return), 3. Quotations from the following works are reprinted by permission of Houghton Mifflin Co.: The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien; text copyright © 1954 by George Allen and Unwin, Ltd. The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien; copyright © 1955, 1965 by J.R.R.

Tolkien; copyright © renewed 1983 by Christopher R. Tolkien, Michael H.R. Tolkien, John F.R. Tolkien, and Priscilla M.A.R. Tolkien. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R.

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.

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