Tolkien’s Great War: Trauma and War Commentary in The Lord of the Rings

Abstract

This thesis examines the connection between J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy The Lord of the Rings and World War I. It argues that Tolkien’s trilogy was influenced by his experience in the Great War and that by depicting a narrative that resonates so closely with modern war experience, Tolkien creates a critical commentary on the ways war can be justified and must be conducted. I trace the particular forms of trauma that Tolkien’s protagonist Frodo Baggins suffers and use the poetry of prominent British trench poets to highlight the parallels between his trauma and the trauma of British soldiers in the First World War. I examine Tolkien’s descriptions of battle in the trilogy, analyzing how he avoids glorifying combat, instead depicting the harsh realities of war. I argue that Tolkien emphasizes the importance of innocent people and unblemished natural spaces and that in showing how war destroys those things, the trilogy confirms that just war must defend them. I also argue that the trilogy depicts the responsible use of powerful weaponry through the portrayal of the One Ring and its use. In this thesis, I define the critical commentary on war in The Lord of the Rings: war can only be justified if it serves to defeat evil, defend innocent people, protect untouched natural spaces, and is conducted with a responsible use of powerful weaponry.