March 26, 2003

Pity Da Foo
Burnet

Indeed, there are many parallels to reality in LOTR as there are in any story of quality. Yes indeed, there is a war going on in Iraq that bears some resemblance to the war in Middle Earth. However, in both worlds there is another battle taking place on a completely different level. The application of this book to our present reality as if it were prophecy being fulfilled can be an interesting endeavor but it bears little fruit. What real point is there in watching the events of the world and translating them into LOTR-speak? So what is this other battle I speak of? Frodo's. The future of Middle Earth depends on the good heart of one not-so-tough hobbit. The cheeriness, the love, the submission to the task that he is given, the respect he shows to his betters, to his equals, and most importantly to his would-be enemy Gollum; these are the things that matter. Pity. Ultimately Frodo fails in his task to destroy the ring, but the love and pity he has shown throughout the story come back to save him. Frodo risks the whole quest by allowing Gollum to live, let alone to be his guide and almost-friend. It turns out that the quest itself is of little importance; the thing that matters is how Frodo bears himself while he bears the ring. Nothing very complicated, but it has 'the ring' of truth. People die everyday regardless of the decisions of the wordly 'powers'. Let us do the tasks that are set before us, and let us do them with love in our hearts. It's all we've really got. Word to my brotha, Chambers.