1983. From a novel or play of literary merit, select an important character who is a villain. Then, in a well-organized essay, analyze the nature of the character's villainy and show how it enhances meaning in the work. Do not merely summarize the plot.
In The Lord of the Rings, there are many characters who could be considered villains, all of whom have different motivations for doing what they do. The most interesting, however, is the character of Gollum. Gollum is not a typical “I want power, let’s kill everyone!” kind of villain. He is sneaky but timid, and is willing to sacrifice all for a singular object that has consumed his mind. He is not inherently “bad”, so to speak, but he will do bad things to achieve his goals.
Gollum was originally a simple minded creature, not much unlike a Hobbit. One day, when his name was still Smeagol, he was on a fishing trip with a close friend, Deagol, when Deagol happened to find the One Ring of Power at the sea floor. Almost immediately falling under its spell, Smeagol demanded it, because it was his birthday. In a fit of anger after being denied, he strangled Deagol. Back at his village, after discovering the invisibility powers of the ring, he used it for thievery and mischief, and was soon banished, after being given the name “Gollum”. He fled to the Misty Mountains, where the ring took over his body and mind.
Throughout the story, Gollum first follows, and then guides Frodo, for the sole reason that Frodo possesses his “precious”, or the One Ring. He is willing to betray Frodo and Sam (as he did, in Shelob, the giant spider’s lair) at a chance to get the ring, and at the very ending, when Frodo seems all consumed and puts on the ring, Gollum bites his finger off, clutching wildly at his prize, when he drops off into the lava, destroying himself and the ring, once and for all.
Gollum’s so called villainy symbolizes both a warning to Frodo, as well as the ring itself. Gollum started out as a creature not unlike Frodo, and ended up so corrupted, so pitiful, but doesn’t even realize it, in the same way that Frodo doesn’t realize that the ring is doing the same thing to him. Gollum also symbolizes the ring itself- the way it follows its target, corrupts it against those it once knew (Frodo starts trusting Gollum more than the ever-faithful Sam), and slowly poisons their mind.
I love that you used "Lord of the Rings" for this prompt! However, the directions in the prompt specify selecting a character who is a villain, and the first paragraph seems to debate whether or not Gollum actually fits that description. To accomplish the same tactic maybe you could approach with a comparison of the Gollum/Smeagle dynamic. His actions through knowledge and manipulation definitely enhance the struggle and dynamics in the story. Specific examples of Gollum's inner struggle & its outward effects on those around him would definitely add to your points (for example, when he betrays Sam and Frodo and leads them to Shelob).
ReplyDeleteI really like the flow of your second and third paragraphs, but they're really more of a summary & I don't get the impression that it fulfills the prompt.
Overall, I think you chose an excellent villain to write about and I think this would serve as a great springboard for the essay. (I hope that made sense...)
I actually have never read "The Lord of the Rings", though, I was able to understand what was going on through your descriptions. I agree with Miriam's points to the point where I don't really have much to say. The two body paragraphs do feel more like a summary rather than an analysis of Gollum's actions. Adding more specific examples to how Gollum's villainy adds to the meaning in the last paragraph would help, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAll-in-all, a great start!
I don't want to sound like a copycat, but I definitely agree with Miriam and Caitlyn in regards to the middle paragraphs: they feel like a summary, not an analysis. I also think that the last paragraph could use a little more fleshing out. While it could have illuminated the depth of Lord of the Rings, this paragraph seemed pretty bare bones to me. It needs to elaborate some more on how Gollum's villainy is symbolic; as of right now, it just kind of says "believe me, this is a symbol, but I don't have time to go into details." It left me confused as to how exactly Gollum represents the ring, in particular.
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