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J.R.R.
First, with Elves and wizards mostly departed from Middle-earth, the characters themselves would have been changed.
This was a winning formula and one that fit perfectly with the overarching themes ofThe Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien’sThe New Shadowwould have interrupted this.
By the time this story played out, Gandalf would have traveled to Valinor centuries before.
After Sauron’s defeat, Middle-earth was left to Men to govern.
Tolkien even emphasized this fact inThe Lord of the Ringsby making the villain Sauron set his sights on Aragorn.
The Dark Lord was sure Gondor’s king would be his nemesis, so he never saw Frodo coming.
Tolkien took the Heroes Journey formula and turned it on its head.
Tolkien took the Heroes Journey formula and turned it on its head.
They love the earth and things that grow and aspire to a great meal rather than heroics.
EvenFrodo and Bilbo, who enjoyed travel and adventures, valued community above all else.
Custom Image by Milica Djordjevic
Such unlikely creatures serving as heroes are what madeThe HobbitandThe Lord of the Ringsexceptional.
Sauron was a powerful being who could have instantly destroyed Frodo, Bilbo, or any other Hobbit.
However, their simple natures meant that the Dark Lord overlooked them entirely.
He is the guide character, who is typically presented in fiction as wise to the point of omniscience.
Of course, Tolkien put a spin on this aspect of the age-old formula as well.
It makes it clear that Frodo’s sacrifice to take down Sauron was worth it.
Any further works that suggested otherwise would have only diminished the impact of Tolkien’s iconic story.
