January 27, 2003

Scourging of Shire Cut?
Mp

It is bad news if the scourging of the shire is cut. It is probably the most significant chapter in the three books.

Hard to believe as you finish the rest of the book shell shocked by larger than life goings on? But THAT is a hint at why this chapter is really so important.. It is what is happening in the world around us today (so many Lothos!). It is similar to what happened to eastern europe after the communist occupation (a real consideration for anyone who is not utterly lost in escapist entertainment). This chapter is Tolkien's masterful closing line to a masterful epic. Ironic that such a "small" and "seemingly insignificant" chapter should actually be so important. Hmmm kind of like it may be the "hobbit" of the story, you might say.

Also note, the Scourging of the Shire is the end of the book. Authors don't normally just throw the endings of their works together and consider them unimportant to the rest of the story. Quite the opposite, actually. The ending of a book is where it all comes together and wraps up it's purpose. I doubt Tolkien, especially after spending 14 years writting the story, would have been any different.

I wouldn't have noticed the importance of this chapter myself had I not re-read the books recently as a more wise and travelled .

I am not suprised at this change, however, as the Two Towers was showing large signs that some of the most important messages and moments of the story were in danger of disappearing.... Purposefully most likely, as truly elevated messages are typically not endorsed by Hollywood and even if they were all the "Saruman's" out there will never let them happen). This is not alligory this is "applicability".