This summer I read The Lord of the Rings to my eight-year-old and was struck by how much the themes continue to be relevant for the modern environmentalist movement. Ents destroying Isengard (the industrial power) is the classic example, but there’s so much more. Mordor as an imperial, extractive power. Hobbits regenerating the land after it has been degraded. Gimli trying to preserve the Glittering Caves of Aglerond. And of course, growing trees symbolizing renewal and prosperity. So, I decided to write all these themes down, and compare them to instances where similar things are happening today.
I just reached a milestone in the writing process and wanted to share a sample my work so far! Please take a look and let me know what you think.
Call me dense—where is the sample?
Love it!
The Scouring of the Shire is probably the most explicit anti-industrialization section of the books—more so even than the destruction of Isengard.
You should contrast it to “the last ringbearer” (1)
Holy cow. Thanks for sharing - I had no idea this existed.
