The One Ring? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

SamwiseGamgee · 09-25-2003, 05:17 PM

I think perhaps it is important to distinguish between allegory and symbolism. Allegory is something like Animal Farm, a direct retelling of a chain of events, often simplified for easier understanding. Symbolism, however, is far wider. It is perfectly feasable that Tolkien wrote LoTR with the thought in mind that The One Ring would symboliose the corrupting nature of power, but did not write LoTR as some kind of WWII allegory. I hope you can understand the subtle though, I think you'll agree, rather important difference.

09-25-2003, 05:17 PM	#36
SamwiseGamgee Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In the warm bosom of a Warg Posts: 378	I think perhaps it is important to distinguish between allegory and symbolism. Allegory is something like Animal Farm, a direct retelling of a chain of events, often simplified for easier understanding. Symbolism, however, is far wider. It is perfectly feasable that Tolkien wrote LoTR with the thought in mind that The One Ring would symboliose the corrupting nature of power, but did not write LoTR as some kind of WWII allegory. I hope you can understand the subtle though, I think you'll agree, rather important difference. __________________ -- Well, I'm back.