[JenB]

Right, and then the theme of redemption, and the salvation which, while coming as a surprise, is inherent in the plot and foreshadowed long before.

Or perhaps we should go on to discuss how LotR related to Scandinavian and Finnish folklore. Actually the Finnish stuff is more related to the Silmarillion, but the Rohirrim seem like they stepped out of Beowulf and the Gondorians are a sort of Roman/Atlantean hybrid of - er - and the Ents are representative of Native Americans. Or maybe oppressed Eskimos or something...

Mine!

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Yes, redemption and salvation! But, it also shows that one must desire redemption, and the consequences of refusing it... oh, wait, what I'm thinking about was in Return of the King, wasn't it... uhm...

Oh, yeah, Finnish stuff! Have I ever mentioned there was a Finnish family in the town I grew up, named Koivenen? Suspiciously close to the early forms of Cuiviénen, the Waters of Awakening! And what about that line, "...Atalantë in the Eldarin tongue," that was a dead giveaway!

And the Ents... why, they were just thinly veiled representatives of the early environmentalist movement! Why, it's obvious!

Wait, maybe I've got it wrong...

Uhm, mine!