Meant to Find the Ring

Symbolic Expression in the Works of J.R.R. Tolkien

9/22/2K6

"Bilbo was meant to find the Ring" (emphasis Tolkien's)

-- Gandalf (Fellowship, p. 65)

Bilbo's finding of the Ring is an expression of supernatural providence.

Ian Holm as Bilbo

Providence intended for Bilbo find the Ring.

Gandalf related, "Bilbo was meant to find the Ring" (Fellowship, p. 65, emphasis his).

What was this providence? Gandalf doesn't say. The One? The Powers? A combination of the two?