In A World So Frightening (Essay #1)

This was the first essay I ever felt inspired to write about LOTR:

Three months and eight days after the events of September 11, 2001, Peter Jackson's production of "The Fellowship Of The Ring" opened in theaters nationwide. Even though J.R.R. Tolkien disliked allegory in relation to his story, I think he would agree that what happened in America and the world on that September day--the shock and grief--could be reflected in the eyes of his hero Frodo as he stands outside the Mines of Moria grieving over the loss of Gandalf--his mentor and friend.

Frodo was a carefree and happy Hobbit. In a life changing event he was given the responsibility to carry the One Ring to Mt. Doom and destroy it. It was a journey he did not take alone. One of the company in the Fellowship of Nine was Gandalf the Wizard, beloved by Frodo and his cousin Bilbo. In the Mines of Moria innocence was lost as Frodo watched Gandalf fall 'into shadow' and into supposed death. At that moment Frodo knew his life would never be the same. Now he knew grief in the uttermost depths of his soul.

Frodo's parents drowned when he was a young Hobbit. Tolkien never delved into Frodo's grief being orphaned but we learned he was cared for and eventually adopted by his cousin Bilbo. In the case of Gandalf though, it is clear that Frodo is stricken with grief. The movie reflects this in a poignant manner. The actor Elijah Wood, who portrays Frodo, masterfully shows us a Frodo whose face has become drawn and sad--lost and alone. No longer the carefree, happy Hobbit, this is a new creature--sadder but wiser.

I remember what I was doing the morning of September 11, 2001. I was reading to my class of first graders. Then a message delivered by hand was given to me simply relating that a major terrorist attack had taken place in New York City and not to turn on the classroom TV in order to protect the children from the images. But during lunch while the children were gone from the room, we turned on the TV and I saw those terrible scenes I shall never forget of jetliners slamming into those two beautiful buildings. I remember feeling physically sick. The remainder of the school day was a blur to me and the days that followed were mind-numbing as the images were repeated and fears of more attacks were on our minds. It felt like something deep inside of me was gone forever. No longer did I feel safe in my country. No longer could one take for granted the freedoms we have been blessed with. Images of people falling from those buildings to their deaths, images of the streets below, images of the wreckage at the Pentagon, images of funerals, images of candle-light vigils, images of a country pulling together in a shared grief filled my soul. Nothing would ever be the same again.

Then on December 19, 2001 I was introduced to the world of Middle-earth. Not being familiar with the story of The Lord of the Rings I was one of those who, at the end wanted to yell, "What was that?! The wizard died, that Boromir guy died, those Hobbits were hauled away by Orcs, they all are split up and I just sat here for three hours and this is how it ends?" I also remember experiencing a familiar feeling in my stomach as I watched Gandalf fall as it reminded me of the shock I had felt back in September.

But the story blessed me and gave me solace. Somehow things have to go on. Hobbits have to keep the quest alive and journey on even into darkness and danger. But not alone. We Americans have to pick ourselves up too and go on. We have seen Mordor in the rubble of the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and a farm field of Pennsylvania. We have no ring to throw into any of it but we know that we can persevere and work together to rebuild.

No--nothing will ever be the same for us Americans. We too are sadder and wiser now. What happened on that blue as the Hobbit Frodo's beautiful eyes September sky morning will forever be with us. But we need Peter Jackson's movie right now. We need Tolkien's story right now. Perhaps some sort of divine hand was at work in the timing of the release of this movie. The story Tolkien wrote gives us hope that with the help of friendship and loyalty things can get better.

In a world so frightening we need the beautiful Hobbit Frodo and his story.