7) Tolkien creates symapthy for his heroes by making them very much like us. For instance, Aragorn is facing what seems to be an insurmountable problem. But Tolkien offers hope to us through the choices of his character - Aragorn sticks it out.
I don't believe that Tolkien gives sympathy to his villains, however. Throughout the book, it is very clear who is inherently evil. Even Saruman, though it is admitted that he was once great, is cruel and sadistic. Not even for a second does it seem like he could be anything but a villain.
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If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is "God is crying." And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is "Probably because of something you did."
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