The Concepts of Evil is a great chapter, because it hits on some of the most interesting – and devastating – parts of the story. Just what is evil? Obviously, Tolkien tells us over and over through the different characters that Sauron, the puppeteer behind this vast plan to take over Middle Earth, is wholly evil. That is a given, but Shippey investigates the different facets of evil, as it’s far too simple to just slap a label on a character and be done with it.
‘Shadow’ was a great concept that Shippey addresses. Nearly every character in the story at one point or another speaks of the Shadow. It is mostly a used as a symbol representing evil. But whenever mentioned in the story, it is always referred to in a negative manner. I don’t remember a single time where I read that someone “was glad there was a shadow they could rest under”, or glad that the “shadows of the night masked their advance”. I feel as though this was intentionally done on the part of Tolkien in order to focus the reader on the evil nature of a shadow as opposed to any benefit it can offer.
I cannot remember whether Shippey writes about it or not, but during the battle at Minas Tirith, great storm clouds (suspected to be manufactured by Sauron) cover the battlefield and shroud it in Shadow. Many analysts will probably agree, this alone dampens the spirits of the Gondorian army, and provides a shield under which Sauron’s forces can operate. But more than that, the shadow symbolizes the presence of evil there at the gates of Minas Tirith. For many characters in the books, especially Denethor, it is a glimpse of what could come to pass should Sauron succeed in his endeavors (and in Denethor’s case, he believes Sauron WILL succeed – but that’s for the next chapter).
Joseph Bella? November 02, 2008, at 08:05 PM
