LotR is a meditation on the virtue of hope. Next time you read it notice how many times the author uses that word.
For JRRT, hope is not about a “positive attitude” or sunny optimism, but more about simply staying in the fight—because things might turn your way. 🧵
For JRRT, hope is not about a “positive attitude” or sunny optimism, but more about simply staying in the fight—because things might turn your way. 🧵
https://twitter.com/DailyGondor/status/1826689241914769699
In one of the most important lines in the books, Gandalf offers insight into this virtue by highlighting its opposite: “Despair,” he says, “is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not.”
As long as you don't know how things will end, you'd better fight on.
As long as you don't know how things will end, you'd better fight on.
Gandalf is hardly the most upbeat and chipper fellow. At one point he confesses that the whole campaign might have been just a “fool’s hope.” And yet he presses forth. He will go till he can go no more.
Most all the characters will face the test.
Most all the characters will face the test.
Denethor is the best example of one who fails. In his considerable wisdom, he becomes convinced that Sauron will win and the only reasonable thing to do is to lay down on a burning funeral pyre—and even to take your son with you.
His approach will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
To be fair, there’s every reason for Denethor to come to this conclusion. So hope requires something beyond a purely rational calculation. This is why it is a theological virtue.
To be fair, there’s every reason for Denethor to come to this conclusion. So hope requires something beyond a purely rational calculation. This is why it is a theological virtue.
Theoden similarly doesn’t see much chance of prevailing in this war, but he at least thinks it’s worthwhile to go down fighting.
He courts death in his great cavalry charge. This is not a perfect expression of virtue of hope, but it’s obviously far more useful than Denethor’s despair. He even accomplishes great deeds on the field that will give his people a chance.
Frodo and Sam’s journey to Mordor is the most straightforward example. Above all else, they must keep going, one foot in front of the other. Certain obstacles on their way will require a bit more finesse, but the constant challenge is to march forward every day.
When they accomplish that much, they find strange and unexpected help along the way.
Like Gandalf, Sam hardly keeps a totally positive attitude, but even in the darkest moments his dismay turns to resolve. He continues on in spite of himself.
And of course there's Aragorn. He is put through trials that would break almost all mortal men. He doesn’t pretend like there is much reason for optimism. At one point, on the search for Merry and Pip he suggests that they will press on without hope.
This is another key line because it suggests that hope is less of a feeling, as we tend to view it, and more of an action. So long as you keep moving forward, so long as you stay in the fight, you are expressing hope.
And in the end, Providence comes to the aid of those who stay in the fight. It's almost as if he wants to test you, to see if you really want his help. Those who don't want it enough will remove themselves from the fight and prove unworthy.
Those who want it will press on.
Those who want it will press on.
Art by:
Lucas Graciano
Joshua Cairos
Magali Villanueve
Lucas Graciano
Joshua Cairos
Magali Villanueve
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