Literature
The Exclusion of Erebor from The Lord of the Rings: A Comprehensive Analysis
The Exclusion of Erebor from The Lord of the Rings: A Comprehensive Analysis
Ever wondered why Erebor, the renowned dragon-haunted mountain in The Hobbit and a favorite among fans, is notably absent from The Lord of the Rings? This exploration will dissect the reasons behind this curious omission, highlighting the strategic and thematic motivations behind such a decision. We will delve into the writing process, the role of Sauron, and the narrative focus of the story.
The Role of the Istari and Sauron
The Istari, also known as the Wizards, in Tolkien's lore are limited in their abilities, which explains why they never devised a means to transport their messengers to Erebor. This limitation is evident in Jackson's film adaptation, where Nazg?l—Sauron’s messengers—stare skeptically at Bilbo Baggins before he says a powerful incantation to send Gandalf away. In the book, Gandalf remains grounded, just as the Istari were in their written form.
The Fellowship's Journey
The Fellowship of the Ring, a central group in The Lord of the Rings, does not venture to Erebor. The story revolves primarily around the nine members of the Fellowship. It is a concentrated narrative focused on a six-month period, making any extensive coverage of other events or locations less relevant.
References to Erebor Throughout the Tales
While Erebor is not a primary location in The Lord of the Rings, it does make several appearances, albeit in a minor capacity. Bilbo Baggins mentions his trip to Erebor in his time after leaving the Shire, and his experiences there are significant to his character development. Gimli and Gloin, as representatives of the Kingdom under the Mountain, play a role in the Council of Elrond. The battle of Dale and the siege of Erebor are briefly mentioned in the appendices, adding depth to the history and significance of the mountain that played a role in earlier chapters of the Tolkien universe.
Reasons for the Omission
There are several key reasons why Erebor does not feature prominently in The Lord of the Rings: Focus on the Destruction of the Ring and the Restoration of Gondor: Tolkien's primary narrative focus is on the destruction of the One Ring and the restoration of the Kingdom of Gondor. Erebor's role, though significant, is not central to this main plot. Second Front in the War Against Sauron: Erebor can be seen as a secondary front in the larger war against Sauron. It provides a distraction and relief for the forces opposing Sauron by putting pressure on the enemy, but it is not crucial to their overall success. Size Constraints and Publisher Demands: In his introduction, Tolkien mentions that the publishers insisted he scale down the scope of the work, citing issues with resources such as paper and financing. This resulted in the appendices, which contain the omitted details, including the siege of Erebor.
These factors combined contribute to the strategic and thematic decisions that led to Erebor's exclusion from the narrative of The Lord of the Rings. The careful crafting of the narrative ensures that the most critical aspects of the story are the main focus, while the rich history of the world Tolkien created is explored through other means.
Conclusion
The omission of Erebor from The Lord of the Rings is a testament to Tolkien's masterful storytelling and the complex motivations behind his literary choices. Despite its absence, the influence of Erebor can be felt through the writings and characters of the later works, making it a significant part of the greater Middle-earth saga.