[00:00:00] So I just finished book one of Lord of the Rings, and I want to talk about the thing that has maybe impressed me the most about Tolkien's writing. I've never really encountered another author who so nonchalantly puts their wisdom into the pages of a work of fiction.
[00:00:25] Jeez, it is so good and so profound, all within this incredible confine of a brilliantly crafted story. Generally, when authors try to do this too much, it just falls flat or comes across as preachy. And I immediately think of Ayn Rand here. It's a problem that a lot of people have with her writing in that she writes a story and then simultaneously just tries to shove her wisdom and philosophy down your throat.
[00:00:53] It can be a bit maddening. And I remember reading Fountainhead and just rolling my eyes at the bits of dialogue between characters that just felt so heavy-handed and boring to me. But then, there are authors that strike a balance really well. And I'm kind of thinking of Brandon Sanderson and J.K. Rowling as like more popular authors who have done this.
[00:01:16] And then, obviously, the more well-written authors like Zadie Smith or Jeffrey Eugenides or Marilynne Robinson, who is my favorite, by the way. And the list could go on. But I have to say, again, after reading Lord of the Rings, I am astounded at how well and seamlessly that Tolkien implements some of his wisdom into these books. It's not just a few random moments, too.
[00:01:39] But his characters have these beautiful speeches where they talk about life with such eloquence that it makes me furious at how brilliant Tolkien is. And I'm mesmerized at his work at the same time. I think of Gandalf's really popular line to Frodo in the books. I wish it need not have happened in my time, said Frodo. So do I, said Gandalf. And so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide.
[00:02:07] All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. Ah, it's so good. It's so popular and it's so overused, but it is so good. Or I think about all the hobbits giving a speech of loyalty to Frodo. I think of Sam saying, If you don't come back, sir, then I shan't. That's certain, said Sam. Don't you leave him, they said to me. Leave him, I said. I never mean to. I'm going with him. If he climbs to the moon. And if any of those black riders try to stop him, they'll have Sam Gamgee to reckon with.
[00:02:37] His loyalty is just so brilliant there. Or along the same lines, when Pippin shows his loyalty and says, You do not understand, said Pippin. You must go, and therefore we must too. Merry and I are coming with you. Sam is an excellent fellow and would jump down a dragon's throat to save you if you did not trip over his own feet. But you will need more than one companion in your dangerous adventure. Even Pippin, the youngest of the entire fellowship, is just so loyal to Frodo.
[00:03:03] Or you have the loyalty with Merry, which maybe is my favorite line of all of book one so far, when he says, Anyway, there it is.
[00:03:39] Just all of the hobbits' brilliant loyalty makes me so happy and privileged to be able to read these books. Then we have random characters like Gildor who said, Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift. Even from the wise to the wise. And all courses may run ill. That is just brilliant.
[00:04:03] I keep saying that word, but Tolkien is a brilliant philosopher and wordsmith here. And then you have sad moments of wisdom with things that other characters say, like Aragorn, when he says, A hunted man sometimes wearies of distrust and longs for friendship. Like, these turn out to be lines that so many fans can relate to. The depth with which Tolkien talks about friendship and love and loyalty and time and advice and everything else under the sun is astounding.
[00:04:31] And I have to say, Tolkien does seem like a curmudgeon sometimes when I hear stories about him. But he seems like my kind of curmudgeon. And I want to talk about one thing that I think is probably near and dear to Tolkien's heart from the very little that I know about him. It's a line that Pippin says that just got me thinking about the whole point and purpose of Fellowship of the Ring. It's in the moment after Frodo gets stabbed at Weathertop by the Morgul Blade. The hobbits have to travel 12 days to get to Rivendell.
[00:04:59] And they are very, very depressed and very, very exhausted. As they've been traveling nonstop without much talk or rest. Then Pippin chimes in with this line. And then Pippin, the wind will be able to travel 12 days to get to the end of the year. Won't somebody give us a bit of song while the sun is high? Said Mary. When they had finished. We haven't had a song or a tale for days. This line just feels like what Tolkien is all about. And is so appropriate to things going on in the world today.
[00:05:27] I'm not going to get controversial or political about anything here. As I don't really like to do that and stay away from all controversial topics like that. But I find this to be the whole purpose of Tolkien's work. As it's just a kind of balm that can help the heavy heart. It's a resistance against the tiresome politic talks. And the exhaustion that most of us feel on a day-to-day basis. I don't care what side of the political spectrum you're on. I think both sides can be exhausted.
[00:05:55] And so I find going to these works as a severe help to get the worry out of my heart. And just to enjoy life with other people that I love. Which is what I find life to be all about. I think about this all the time lately too. In that I don't ever care to get into political discussions with people. All I want in life. And this is increasing the older I get. Is to sit around a campfire with some friends and some people that I love. And swap stories all night.
[00:06:22] I just want to enjoy a good tale with some friends of mine. And that we can all kind of get our mind off the insanity of the world. And focus on the things that really matter. And I think Tolkien realizes this. And his life was bleaker than the majority of us really know. Or really have experienced having fought in the first world war. That was a time when I think the world was much darker. Than it is today. At least to me. But lately. All I think anyone can focus on are the people in power.
[00:06:51] Rather than just a good song or a tale that will lighten the heart. I don't really know why Tolkien wrote Lord of the Rings. Or created this world. But I have to imagine that it was something close to escapism. Or being able to refocus on the things that truly matter in this world. And so reading through Fellowship of the Ring for the first time. Has felt like a chiropractic adjustment for me. Where I see these characters' desires. And how it all seems like all of them desire a good friend. And someone to love.
[00:07:19] And for their hearts to be merry and light. And I find myself drawn to that idea. In a time when all anyone can talk about is the darkness. Giving me a room full of people. Just swapping stories and singing songs. And I am there. I know there are people who disagree with me here. And I'm not a Tolkien expert. But I really find the things that he wrote about are just hitting true for me. About how these songs and tales can be a form of escape. And can refocus your life. Just like it did for the Hobbits. Just like what Pippin is asking for here.
[00:07:49] They're on a tiresome journey. They're exhausted. They're grumpy. They're hungry. And all Merry and Pippin and Sam and Aragorn and Frodo want right here. Especially Pippin because he's the one that says it. Is just a song or a tale. Because something like that can really help lighten the load. It can really help lighten your heart. Anyway, I'll stop doing what I lambasted in the beginning. And I'll stop preaching here. But Tolkien's work is immense in its beauty.
[00:08:19] It seems like he's a better writer than I really ever thought. And I find that his main theme is one of friendship. Nay, fellowship. But anyway, this is my halfway point to the Fellowship of the Ring book. And I just finished part one. And I wanted to do a quick video talking about my full experience so far. And I just wanted to hone in on the one thing that keeps hitting me throughout this first read. It's like hitting me like a ton of bricks. But I am trucking along onto book two now.
[00:08:48] So make sure you subscribe if you want more of my unorganized thoughts on Middle Earth and on Lord of the Rings. As I am publishing a video essay pretty much on every single chapter. And if you want to, join our Discord too. As we were talking about some Lord of the Rings things as well. And that's where I ask questions live as I'm reading to some of the experts in our Discord about Lord of the Rings. So you could help me in my reading. And help my reading get even better with your nerddom. But anyway, subscribe. Make sure you like the video. And I'll see you in the next one.