1.77k likes | 4.25k Views
Themes in The Lord of the Rings. Teachable, Universal, and Paramount to Teaching in the ELA Classroom By Courtney Musselman. War. Examples: There are numerous battles throughout the book, all politically charged and highly complex.
E N D
Themes in The Lord of the Rings Teachable, Universal, and Paramount to Teaching in the ELA Classroom By Courtney Musselman
War • Examples: • There are numerous battles throughout the book, all politically charged and highly complex. • As students learn about the details of this war, there are infinite teachable moments regarding the destructiveness of battles, even of a mythical source, and the often fruitless outcomes.
Adventure & Survival • Examples: • The quest to destroy the ring is fraught with moments of hunger, thirst, illness, and of course minor battles and dangerous surroundings in the wilderness.
Friendship • Examples: • The entire Fellowship, in particular that of SamwiseGamgee and Frodo Baggins. • There’s an example of a friendship broken between Saruman and Gandalf.
Love • Examples: • Arwen & Aragorn and their immortal vs. mortal love and the sacrifices required from both
Sacrifice • Examples: • SamwiseGamgee’s sacrifice of life and well-being throughout the journey to aid Frodo in his burden to destroy the ring. • Frodo’s sacrifice of a very similar nature to SamwiseGamgee’s. • Arwen’s sacrifice of her immortality in order to be with Aragorn.
Obsession • Examples: • Seen most prominently in the character Smeagol/Gollum and his relationship with The One Ring.
Morality • Examples: • Most of the tale presents the various characters with a choice between what is right and what is easy.
The Struggle for Power • Examples: • Seen most prominently in Sauron’s struggle for power and The Ring, but also in the betrayal of Gandalf by Saruman for the sake of power.
Nature vs. Industrialization • Example: • Saruman represents industrialization, sacrificing trees for his mechanisms of war. This results in an epic battle and rebellion against the powers that attempt to defeat them.
By: • Courtney Musselman • 20 November 2013