|
Contact Author |
Thanks |
Blog Index |
Symbolic Expression in the Works of J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings
Chance
9/15/2K6
"this dreadful chance"
-- Gandalf, on Bilbo's finding of the Ring (Fellowship, p. 60)
Tolkien was a master of words. He sometimes uses words with several layers of meanings.
Other writers sometimes use words with double meanings, too. It is less common, however, for a writer to use a word with both its meaning and its opposite meaning at the same time.
The Free Peoples of the West are at war with Sauron. They are hard pressed enough as it is. Now that the Ring has come to light, it is only a matter of time (it seems) before Sauron obtains it, in which case his power will be multiplied manyfold.
It is for this reason that Gandalf refers to the finding of the Ring as "this dreadful chance" (Fellowship, p. 60).
Gandalf's words conceal a hidden meaning, however.
When Bilbo finds the Ring in The Hobbit, it is pure accident. In The Lord of the Rings, however, Bilbo's finding of the Ring is no accident. It has become an expression of supernatural providence.
The reasons for this were quite simple. Tolkien needed a sequel. The Hobbit had created an appetite for hobbits, and Tolkien was called upon to write another story. He therefore fixated on the finding of the Ring in The Hobbit and imbued it with greater significance.
Chance in Middle-earth is almost always chance and nothing more. On rare occasions, however, it is not chance at all. It is supernatural providence. Not divine providence. Supernatural providence.
Maybe it's because destroying the Ring seems so hopeless that Gandalf does not appear to seriously consider destroying it at this point. Instead the finding of the Ring by Bilbo seems only to give Sauron certainty of victory.
Gandalf does not seem to sense yet that the Ring also offers the West hope of victory.
Providence intends that the Ring be destroyed.
It is up to individuals to participate in this supernatural providence. They can refuse or screw up. It's not necessarily the end of the world. Someone else may take up the slack, providence can design something else, or the end might simply not turn out well.