Yet it is not a falsely cheering work. In the end, alas, Frodo is utterly overwhelmed by the power of the Ring: the heroic hobbit is prevented from fulfilling his mission. But because Tolkien's universe is providential rather than accidental, Frodo's defeat does not mean ultimate failure. Sauron's evil finally destroys itself—but only because the Company has fought it valiantly to the end. Frodo is so exhausted by his arduous Quest that he is unable to relish the fruits of the victory over Sauron.
I like this. This author understands the most important parts of Lord of the Rings! But I do dislike his phrasing "prevented from fulfilling his mission" because I see Frodo's mission as simply to get the Ring to the fire (I think Tolkien himself, in his letters, indicates this interpretation). Not to destroy the Ring himself.
Great post!
I have felt that - not only the 'burden' of carrying the Ring, and the shoulder wound worked on Frodo, but his own guilt over knowing that he had succumbed to the the Ring - that all these things, not least his own sense of quilt worked on him, causing him continued pain, and din't allow him to 'heal'.
Don't know, but I've just always felt that his own sense of shame worked on him till he left Middleearth.