Why the Lord of the Rings? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Elladan and Elrohir · 07-24-2005, 09:34 PM

Of course, Tolkien had chosen the title long before he knew that Frodo had called his book TDotLotRatRotK.

It is quite interesting that Tolkien uses this title, especially considering that Sauron never actually makes an appearance in the book (he appears to Pippin in the palantir, but we only hear about it after the fact; and of course we see his realization and wrath when Frodo claims the Ring, but this isn't really an appearance). It's an unusual, but I think in this case an excellent, literary device to have the main antagonist never appear in the book; but it is quite interesting that the book is then named for him.

Really, though, there aren't very many more options, for titles that is. "The Quest of the Ring," I suppose, is a possibility, but somehow that isn't as mysterious and alluring as "The Lord of the Rings." Somehow that title -- to me, anyway -- implies something dark, and epic. It did even before I had read the book.

the phantom · 07-24-2005, 11:04 PM

Quote:

"The Quest of the Ring," I suppose, is a possibility, but somehow that isn't as mysterious and alluring as "The Lord of the Rings." Somehow that title -- to me, anyway -- implies something dark, and epic.

That's exactly what I was going to say before I read your post.

The Lord of the Rings is an awesome title- the kind that makes you stop when you are scrolling through a list of books. It makes you think ooh- what's that book about?

The longer title... it just gives too much away. There are too many known things in the title.

Downfall- we know what that means
King- we know what a king is
Return- we know what it is to return

Where as the short title...
The Lord of the Rings- Umm, what's a Lord of the Rings? Is it some guy? Is he bad? Why does he rule rings?

The title definitely makes the book sound more mysterious.

Plus, the long version of the title would just be too much to stick on a book cover.

Lhunardawen · 07-24-2005, 11:45 PM

If I remember correctly, the title "The Lord of the Ring(s)" was not attributed to Sauron alone. Pippin called Frodo that in Rivendell, promptly followed by a rebuke from Gandalf, saying that Frodo is not "the Lord of the Ring," but Sauron. Does that tell us something?

But it's interesting to note that the book title says 'Rings.' Plural. Not just the One, but also the Three, the Seven, and the Nine. So this word alone encompasses most of the Free Peoples of Middle Earth, particularly the prominent characters (the Nazgul, Galadriel, Elrond, and Gandalf). The Hobbits were added into the mix through Pippin's words above.

Of course I'm merely speculating here.

Estelyn Telcontar · 07-25-2005, 01:02 AM

Very good point about the plural, Lhuna! That little extra "s" tells a lot without giving anything away to new readers. At first glance, one could think that it should be singular, as it's mostly about one ring, Sauron's, but there's so much more involved: the Nazgûl and the end of the Elven 'kingdoms', both results of the rings, are part of the greater picture. That's why the tale doesn't end with the destruction of the One Ring, but goes on to tell of the departure of the Three Elven Rings from Middle-earth. Only when all of the rings are gone is the story over.

Lhunardawen · 07-25-2005, 01:08 AM

Why, thanks for that, Esty!

Amazing what one little s can do...

07-24-2005, 09:34 PM	#1
Elladan and Elrohir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Halls of Mandos Posts: 332	Of course, Tolkien had chosen the title long before he knew that Frodo had called his book TDotLotRatRotK. It is quite interesting that Tolkien uses this title, especially considering that Sauron never actually makes an appearance in the book (he appears to Pippin in the palantir, but we only hear about it after the fact; and of course we see his realization and wrath when Frodo claims the Ring, but this isn't really an appearance). It's an unusual, but I think in this case an excellent, literary device to have the main antagonist never appear in the book; but it is quite interesting that the book is then named for him. Really, though, there aren't very many more options, for titles that is. "The Quest of the Ring," I suppose, is a possibility, but somehow that isn't as mysterious and alluring as "The Lord of the Rings." Somehow that title -- to me, anyway -- implies something dark, and epic. It did even before I had read the book. __________________ "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door." THE HOBBIT - IT'S COMING

07-24-2005, 11:45 PM	#3
Lhunardawen Hauntress of the Havens Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: IN it, but not OF it Posts: 2,538	If I remember correctly, the title "The Lord of the Ring(s)" was not attributed to Sauron alone. Pippin called Frodo that in Rivendell, promptly followed by a rebuke from Gandalf, saying that Frodo is not "the Lord of the Ring," but Sauron. Does that tell us something? But it's interesting to note that the book title says 'Rings.' Plural. Not just the One, but also the Three, the Seven, and the Nine. So this word alone encompasses most of the Free Peoples of Middle Earth, particularly the prominent characters (the Nazgul, Galadriel, Elrond, and Gandalf). The Hobbits were added into the mix through Pippin's words above. Of course I'm merely speculating here. Last edited by Lhunardawen; 07-24-2005 at 11:49 PM.

07-25-2005, 01:02 AM	#4
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Very good point about the plural, Lhuna! That little extra "s" tells a lot without giving anything away to new readers. At first glance, one could think that it should be singular, as it's mostly about one ring, Sauron's, but there's so much more involved: the Nazgûl and the end of the Elven 'kingdoms', both results of the rings, are part of the greater picture. That's why the tale doesn't end with the destruction of the One Ring, but goes on to tell of the departure of the Three Elven Rings from Middle-earth. Only when all of the rings are gone is the story over. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

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07-25-2005, 01:08 AM	#5
Lhunardawen Hauntress of the Havens Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: IN it, but not OF it Posts: 2,538	Why, thanks for that, Esty! Amazing what one little s can do...