Rhetorical Analysis : Temptation and the Ring in J.R.R Tolkien's "The Fellowship of the Ring"

Kathleen E. Gilligan writes her paper on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring. Gilligan provides her thoughts on whether Tolkien intended for his readers to have such a "bible based" outlook on his works. Gilligan hits many key points. By her use of quotes and extensive insight, she appears to know much about both texts herself. She does not assume the reader to know the text as well, due to many descriptive examples throughout her paper. But she does allow her readers to step back and think for themselves as she informs the readers of the many comparisons often being discussed.

"Tolkien argues for a religious reading by showing that the struggle for the characters to fight the temptation of the Ring is a direct reflection of the temptation faced by those in The Bible." Temptation has surrounded the world all the way from the beginning when Eve was first tempted to take the apple. Here, the ring is being compared to the apple itself. It was in the beginning of the story that the ring was seized upon like the apple. And just like in the Bible story once the ring was taken, automatically everything changed for the characters. Both the apple and the ring are small and can seem insignificant to some but in nature they are both powerful and life changing.

Smeagol and his friend Deagol can easily be compared to the Bibles own "Cain and Able." Just like the close relationship of brothers, Smeagol and Deagol were good friends that would usually lead to a strong bond and a secure comfort of trust. But in the end, Cain and Smeagol both turned on their close relationships out of envy and jealousy. Able was the perfect son and his parents loved him and cain envied him for it. Deagol was envied for what Smeagol saw as perfect. The ring was little again and was underestimated. The undermining theme of temptation once again took over.

Temptation itself is seen countless times in both the Bible and Tolkien's writings. And each story of "temptation" as similar biblical comparisons. This leads reader to ponder the question, "Is Tolkien's writing of "The Fellowship of the Ring" Biblical based and inspired?" Tolkien said that the direct biblical Parallels were unintentional. But they didn't go without being noticed.

The popularity of Tolkien's text is vast. Many people have compared it to the bible and use the parallels to better relate to the story itself. But whether it was intended or not the readers enjoy the comparisons. And if the readers got so much out of it because of the biblical parallelisms, then Tolkien's book is a success all itself. Its not what the writer puts into it. But it is what the reader takes from it that really counts.