Fellowship Of The Ring Literary Analysis

When faced with an enormous task, one cannot always bear the weight of it on one’s own. Without strength and guidance granted from a higher source, a mission can seem simply impossible. In The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien, Frodo puts his trust in a higher purpose to give him bravery to complete his quest, similar to how David trusts in God to guide him to victory against Goliath. Frodo Baggins is a hobbit, a race known for for their small stature and nimble movements. Tolkien says, “These little people seemed of very little importance,” playing a small roll in history until the Baggins come along (2). Similarly, Goliath “looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy. . . and he despised him. (NIV 1 Samuel 17:42). Both Frodo and David are small and seem powerless to their enemies, yet they both end up defeating their enemies and changing the course of history for the better. While David stands against Goliath in the name of the Lord, Frodo puts his trust in Gandalf and the other members of the Fellowship. Gandalf explains

His story shows that even the largest of problems can be solved through hard work, trust, and hope. Frodo’s battle is one between good and evil, one that Christians face every day in their own world. Evil is an army of giants, full of pride, greed, lust, envy, and wrath, surrounding Christians from every side. In order to defeat these giants of evil, Christians must look to the one being that can destroy these enemies for good: God. Before David killed Goliath, he said to the crowd, “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (NIV 1 Samuel 17:47). David gives all of the credit and glory to the Lord, praising Him even through his most frightening