Lord of the Rings ⚔️

 Beauty in the Struggle.

    I started watching Lord of the Rings again. Honestly, one of the greatest pieces of fiction ever written. The passion for detail, as the very story itself comes to life, is second to none. The constant focus on the history of the races, with their complex battles and challenges faced throughout the ages, is extraordinary. The understanding of a complex chess board, with moving pieces from every angle, help paint an utter masterpiece. Something which we no longer see the likes of today.

    I couldn’t help but wonder, why was it that the author was capable of understanding such complex ideas in their head? How was it, that one writer, could envision such a mass migration of parts and cultures, forming a conflict so great that it was documented and watched until this day? The accomplishment is one which should not be taken lightly, at all.

    When deep-diving into J.R.R. Tolkien, and the challenges he faced while writing the series- one fact became clear. The author was consumed with struggle beyond what the average individual today is capable of fully understanding. 

    Most of the story was written during World War II. Understanding just that should be enough for one to comprehend that the challenges J.R.R. Tolkien faced were greater than most can imagine. Not only was the author under the constant threat of war and all that it entails, but he also struggled with the moral battle of complex ideas. The constant back-and-forth between creation and destruction, in a time where things certainly seemed like they were coming to an end shortly. 

    And yet, despite the tremendous odds, one of the greatest pieces of fiction writing ever emerged. The ever-consuming, timeless story of a small yet determined Hobbit, travelling into a far-off land, to conquer the very evil which had set out to destroy them. The very thought that one, small, insignificant creature, could create a world of change. The idea that even the smallest of us, were powerful beyond our wildest imagination. A true classic, the likes of which we have rarely seen repeated.

    To complete such a story, during such a turbulent time, is no simple task. I cannot begin to fathom the challenges the author had to overcome. And yet, overcome them he did. Not only did he overcome them, but he took advantage of the chaos within. He searched deep inside, and created something from absolutely nothing instead. The adventure of a lifetime, which had now lasted close to 100 years. 

    I don’t believe the story would have been successful, without war taking place in the world. I cannot fathom the thought that the Lord of the Rings would have become such an international success, if it were not for the challenges that J.R.R. Tolkien faced. 

    How could one fully understand the complexities of war, if one were not emerged in one at the moment of creation? How could one not understand the complexities of race, were one not in the midst of a battle for it? How could one create a story resinating with the heart and beliefs of the reader, were they not already submerged in a battle for it? 

    True art, true masterpieces, are not meant to be created under perfect conditions. They are meant to be built in the midst of a storm. A giant, chaotic, hurricane, wiping across the plains and destroying everything in its path. The very death of existence, submerged and surrounded from all angles, leaving no chance for life to escape.

    And yet, despite the madness, one continues to dance in the rain. The act of creation, leaving nothing else to hold within. To move and write as if no one is watching, because odds are no one will ever survive to see the masterpiece anyways. Only these truly mad conditions, can be the perfect storm to create such a tale.

The beauty in the struggle, the madness in the sane-

these are the true ingredients for those who wish to create something greater than the pain.