I have always felt that “The Lord of the rings“ trilogy is imbued with conservative values.
It showcases the fact that evil does exist, pure evil, not evil that has been created by the policies of a government or society.
That loyalty means something, it isn’t just a platitude for suckers.
That there are rules in place for good reasons, and breaking those rules can and should have consequences.
That nobody ever thinks that, in their comfortable lives, they will be called on to defend against evil in terrible times. There will always be that mindset of “Why did this have to happen to us, why didn’t it happen to some other generation?”
And also that in those terrible times, ordinary people may be called on, and often do extraordinary things.
But most of all, the conservative value I think that is part and parcel of that whole story is that doing the hardest and most unpalatable task is often the only right way to resolve a situation and that terrible task may fall to you, and you alone. It is your responsibility to accept it and carry it out, even at the loss of everything you hold dear including your property, your loved ones, and even your own life.
Yes, I agree. There are a lot of conservative messages in that Tolkien story. It is regrettable that in conservative circles, that work is giving short shrift has some kind of liberal fantasy. I have always thought it was very useful as a messenger of conservative values.
“It is regrettable that in conservative circles, that work is giving short shrift has some kind of liberal fantasy. “
Really? Who thinks that.
Another conservative value is recognizing what you’re fighting for. That scene at the end where they’re at the tavern, the four hobbits sitting there having been stripped of their innocence while others are celebrating a pumpkin. Those are the small moments of freedom that we take for granted.
PS - I’m a critic of those movies but only because as they moved further from the books, they changed the narrative for the worse.
It also reminds that evil isn’t always ugly such as orcs and such.
Evil also comes in the whispered advice (Grima Wormtongue), the lust for power as promised by the rings, etc.
Or that Ariel, (Sp?) is willing to assume human mortality for love.
And you always get the sense that Gandalf can solve a LOT more problems than he does, but he willingly restrains himself so that humans/elves/dwarves/Hobbits can do it for their own benefit. Sort of like the Founders envisioned governments.
Super post, also LS #8.
Thanks, both