Why I Read The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy

Around the age of ten I began reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy. One Sunday when I was sick I had to stay home from church. Since I had read The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien the previous week, I started reading The Two Towers, the longest book in the series. I started reading at eight a.m. and did not stop reading or take any breaks until six p.m. when I finished the book. In fact, I did not eat anything all day until I finished the book. My family even brought pizza for me to eat, but I ignored it until I finished reading. I have always had the tendency to become drawn into whatever book I am reading and will often read for hours without stopping. Sometimes when I am reading and someone tries to get my attention I unintentionally

I would argue that no other series can possibly compare to it. It captured my attention and appreciation like no other series has since I read it. I have now read the series multiple times and each time I read it I find something new to love about the books. However, it was not until I studied The Lord of the Rings in school that I realized how much work Tolkien put into his books. I also did not comprehend just how much I missed or did not appreciate about the books each time I read them. I did not know that Tolkien went through his books multiple times dissecting every sentence to make sure every word was the perfect word to use in that sentence. In fact, Tolkien went through his books many times even after the books became published, editing them to make them the best they could possibly

The Lord of the Ring series has many descriptive poems and songs scattered throughout the books, but there is also more subtle imagery happening within the pages than one would think. One example of subtle imagery is the contrast between light and dark. Tolkien contrasts light and dark periodically throughout the series. Sometimes these contrasts are more obvious, and other times one would not readily identify that Tolkien was doing it unless one was studying the books instead of merely reading them. One such instance is in the first book when the members of the fellowship are leaving Rivendell, an elf dwelling, to start their quest. Tolkien writes, “Then with one last glance at the Last Homely House twinkling below them they strode away far into the night” (Tolkien 316). In this quote the twinkling lights of Rivendell, a safe haven, are in contrast with the dark night as the characters begin their dangerous quest. Tolkien also has many themes present throughout his books. Generally, authors may have one or two major themes woven throughout their books. Tolkien, however, has several. The corruption that comes with power, having pity on others, doing something for the greater good, and