The Lord of the Rings focuses upon a particular episode in the eternal struggle between Good and Evil. Special emphasis is placed on the central role that Power plays in this conflict. Tolkien demonstrates that Power is the true weapon only of Evil, and that even in the hands of Good it eventually must result in corruption and suffering….
[Louis J. Halle, in a review comparing Tolkien's work to actual historical studies, says] "The two prime facts of Middle-earth … are power and its consequence, suffering…. In the historian's view, power is not a neutral element that can be used for good or evil. It is always evil, for it enables the wicked to dominate the world or, in the hands of the good, is inescapably corrupting."
This is a free excerpt of 126 words. There are 999 words (approx.
3 pages at 300 words per page) in the full critical essay.
Read the rest of this Criticism with our Tolkien, J(ohn) R(onald) R(euel) 1892–1973: Critical Essay by Alexis Levitin Access Pass.
