He offers us an example of reconciliation in the form of Faramir as well as in
the moment when Sam encounters the fallen soldier in Ithilien. Even Aragorn
shows mercy when mercy is due.
But I also think he makes a point that there is a place and a person for both
sorts of behavior--"a time [and a person] for every purpose under heaven."
Tolkien believed in nature as well as nurture--though we all may seek and
find redemption, we also all have an essential nature that suits us to
different purposes. There is no one kind of "good" in Tolkien even while good
and evil are not relative terms. Yes Frodo could not have carried the
ring as safely as he did if he was less merciful or more interested in power.
But just as the Fellowship needed a ringbearer, it needed people to support and
protect him. This is precisely why Gandalf and Aragorn each decline a right to
the One Ring. They know that is not what they were made to do and they know
others are better suited. Does this make them evil? No, in fact if they
attempted to act against their nature to take the ring, they would have fallen.
So I guess self awareness is also something Tolkien must value.
But one thing Tolkien's fantasy world gives him that we do not have in real
life are creatures such as Orcs and Trolls and Balrogs who are so thoroughly
(essentially!) evil that fighting them is the equivalent of fighting Satan
himself. Of course, we all know that even these beings caused Tolkien some
concern, but either way, they give the author some freedom to violence he might
not otherwise
have.
--------------
With thanks to Takeo and the original post in the Reading Room:
By faith, Frodo, son of Drogo, went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith, he suffered knife, sting, thorn, lash, bite, and a long burden. By faith, he escaped the edge of the sword, braved the dens of great beasts, performed acts of mercy, quenched the power of fire, and conquered an evil kingdom. By faith beyond endurance, power was made perfect in his weakness.
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