Ivy Phillips

At the beginning of the Fellowship of the Ring, Evil is not established to the reader. Tolkien specifically starts the story in quiet Hobbiton to show the reader how little Evil has effected the Shire. Later in the chapter, with the arrival of Gandalf, do we gain information on how the outside world is being effected by Evil.

In the second chapter we see a development of Evil. Gandalf explains to Frodo the dangers of the Ring and what it holds. Now, there is an evident fear of Evil; both in the reader’s mind and Frodo’s mind. Of course, this fear is not fully developed until Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry come across the Black Riders. Now, they are fleeing for their lives.

By this time the leader of Evil has been identified to the reader. Gandalf says, “Mordor draws all wicked things, and the Dark Power was bending all its will to gather them there.” (57) Sauron is the Dark Lord and he dwells in the land of Mordor where evil breeds. He searches constantly for the One Ring, which is his Ring that has the power to bring down the entire Middle Earth. This Ring is in possession of Frodo, and since Frodo agrees willingly to take it away he is represented as Good.

The Struggle of Good and Evil continues when Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin are traveling towards Bree. The Black Riders, servants of Evil, are chasing after them. They almost kill them at the Prancing Pony, but thankfully another character joins Frodo on his mission. This character is Aragorn/Strider. He helps the hobbits escape the Black Riders, but on Weathertop Frodo is stabbed. This is an essential fight because it almost claims Frodo’s life. Now he knows for sure that he must not let the enemy win.

Evil has remained a constant force, but now it is time for the representatives of Good to step out and come against Sauron. At the Council of Elrond Frodo volunteers himself to destroy the Ring by saying, “I will take the Ring, though I do not know the way.” (264) He is joined by 8 other companions who swear to help Frodo destroy Evil. Now Evil really has something to worry about because people are standing up and fighting for the forces of Good and they are no longer intimidated by Evil.

The Company sets off for Mordor, but along the way they encounter many servants of Evil. Some of them include: The Monster in the Lake The Balrog The Crebain from Dunland (spies) Orcs All of these things try and either attack the Fellowship, or intimidate them. Some of them are direct servants of Sauron, but others are just plain Evil. This is true with the Balrog. It is not a servant of the Dark Lord, but it attacks the Fellowship and kills Gandalf.

It is important in the novel that we look at who wins the battles between Good and Evil. In the novel almost all of the characters face some sort of conflict. For some it is external, but for others it is internal. Gandalf fights the Balrog in Moria, which is an external conflict with Evil. Frodo, on the other hand, has to fight within himself. Since he is the carrier of the Ring he is constantly being effected by its evilness. He has to keep his heart true and his mind strong to fend off the Evil thoughts lurking around the Ring.

The fight of Good and Evil continues in the book, and each side suffers its own losses. In Moria, Gandalf falls while fighting the Balrog. This is a horrible loss for the Fellowship because he was the one who held them together. The Evil side suffers many losses such as when the Black Riders are swept into the River. They do not die, but they are delayed for a long time. It is important in any good story that both sides loose some battles and win some. This adds to the suspense and builds up to a climax.

At the very end of the novel, Frodo and Sam leave to go to Mordor by themselves. Frodo tried to leave on his own, but Sam’s caught up with him and joined him. In book it says, “Frodo actually laughed. A sudden warmth and gladness touched his heart.” (397) This is something the Enemy doesn’t have- Friendship. Because Frodo and Sam are truly devoted to each other, then they will be able to overcome Evil. Only with a good heart can you overcome the Powers of Darkness.