Sauron vs. Your Mama - A Discussion of Power in Middle-earth

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by alatar

Why did Tolkien have his origin of evil leave, and how does this work with those seeing a 'message' in his work?

Well, as we know from the Ainulindale, the true source of Melkor's actions still resides with Eru; moreover the last paragraph of the Silmarillion states that the evil seeds planted by Melkor still give fruit. In a sense, this is what made it possible for him to be defeated - he dissipated his power, he diminished himself so that he may perpetuate his works through an long lasting corruption of Arda. In a sense, the Marrer did not leave Arda; Melkor might be gone (he might even repent ), but his essence of evil is ever at work.