Letter 181

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Letter 181
Recipient	Michael Straight, editor of New Republic (drafts)
Date	Unsent and undated, probably January or February 1956
Subject(s)	Answering questions for Mr. Straight’s review of The Lord of the Rings

Letter 181 is a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien and published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Summary

In response to Michael Straight's inquiry about the role of Gollum and Frodo's moral failure at the climax of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien explained that Gollum is primarily a character acting under "opposing strains" rather than an allegorical figure. He emphasised that there is no allegory in his work, stating that "Gollum is to me just a 'character' – an imagined person". Tolkien stressed the complexity of the situation that Frodo faces, noting that Frodo's moral failure was shaped by the enormous pressures he was under.

Tolkien further clarified that Frodo’s failure at Mount Doom was inevitable. The immense power of the Ring, combined with Frodo’s prolonged exposure to its influence, made it impossible for him to resist it in the end. According to Tolkien, Frodo was in a "sacrificial" situation, where his failure was unavoidable. He was placed in an extreme position where success would have required a strength beyond what he possessed. Tolkien wrote "The Quest was bound to fail as a piece of world-plan... Fail it would and did as far as Frodo considered alone was concerned. He 'apostatised'".

Despite Frodo's failure, Tolkien argued that Frodo was still deserving of honour due to the role of mercy and pity in his story. Frodo’s earlier decision to spare Gollum ultimately resulted in the destruction of the Ring, an outcome that Frodo could not have achieved alone. Tolkien explained "By a situation created by his 'forgiveness', he was saved himself, and relieved of his burden".

The Scouring of the Shire

Straight had also asked if the Scouring of the Shire chapter in The Lord of the Rings was intended as a commentary on contemporary England. Tolkien denied any direct allegorical connection between the Shire’s destruction and post-war England. He stated that although he drew inspiration from his own experiences, particularly growing up in Warwickshire, he did not intend for the Shire to represent England specifically. "There is no special reference to England in the 'Shire'", Tolkien wrote, emphasising that the story was not a post-war allegory. He noted that while the spirit of "Isengard" might be present in the world, the events of the "Scouring of the Shire" were not a reflection of any particular political or social conditions of his time.

Tolkien did acknowledge that elements of modern life could be seen in the destruction of the Shire, particularly in the growing industrialisation and urbanisation of the English countryside, which he lamented. He referred to the "present design of destroying Oxford in order to accommodate motor-cars" as an example of the type of destruction he saw mirrored in his work.

Departure of the Ringbearers

In discussing the departure of the Ringbearers at the end of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien elaborated on the deeper mythological and thematic elements behind this narrative choice. He agreed with Straight's interpretation that victors often cannot enjoy victory, writing, "I think that 'victors' never can enjoy 'victory' – not in the terms that they envisaged". However, Tolkien clarified that the departure of the Ringbearers had a more complex and mythological background.

The departure of the Elves and other Ringbearers, such as Elrond and Galadriel, from Middle-earth was tied to the end of their era. With the destruction of the One Ring, the power of the Elven Rings also diminished, leaving nothing more for them in Middle-earth. Tolkien explained that the Elves represented "the artistic, aesthetic, and purely scientific aspects of the Humane nature" and that their immortality within the world had become a burden over time. "There was nothing more in Middle-earth for them, but weariness", he concluded. He also addressed Gandalf's role, noting that his departure was different; as a Maia, he was returning to the land of the Valar, rather than leaving, having completed his mission to assist the peoples of Middle-earth.

Mythological Structure

He described the mythology structure underlying The Lord of the Rings and its broader legendarium as "monotheistic but 'sub-creational'", in which the Valar take the place of gods but are themselves creations of Eru, the One God. The mythology behind the story, particularly the relationship between Elves and Men, was designed to explore themes such as mortality and the nature of death. Elves represent "a devoted love of the physical world" and the desire to preserve it, while Men face the inevitability of death and the hope of something beyond the world. The tension between the Elves desire to preserve their world and the inevitability of change plays a significant role in their decision to leave Middle-earth. With the destruction of the One Ring, the Elves efforts to preserve the past fall apart, prompting their departure. Tolkien emphasised that this was not merely a metaphor for death but part of the larger narrative structure of the world he created.

The Role of the Wizards

Tolkien discussed the role of the wizards, particularly Gandalf and Saruman, in the story. He explained that the wizards were sent by the Valar to assist the peoples of Middle-earth against Sauron. They were incarnated in human-like forms to experience the world and its limitations, making them vulnerable to the same temptations and potential for corruption as the characters they were meant to help.

Tolkien likened Gandalf's death and return to life to a form of resurrection, although he emphasised that this was not the same as the Christian incarnation. He clarified that while one might be reminded of the Gospels, Gandalf's return was part of the mythology of Middle-earth, not a direct analogy to religious events.

The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen

Tolkien briefly mentioned the importance of the tale of Aragorn and Arwen, which he regarded as an essential part of the overall story. Although the tale was placed in the Appendices, he considered it integral to the theme of the story, particularly in its exploration of mortality and hope. He explained that the main narrative of The Lord of the Rings was centered on the "ennoblement (or sanctification) of the humble”, while the story of Aragorn and Arwen added a layer of complexity regarding the human condition and the inevitability of death.