Theme Response Lord of the Rings, Fellowship of the Ring

The theme of the book The Lord of The Ring, Book One, The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien, is the challenge of being brave and having responsibility.  In the beginning, Bilbo disappears from his party and goes away, leaving everything to Frodo including his magical ring.  Gandalf told Frodo to keep the ring safe and instructed him to never put the ring on.   Many years later, Gandalf returns and tells Frodo that he must leave the Shire because of Bilbo’s magical ring that possessed a Great dark evil power.  In addition, Gandalf told Frodo to bring Sam (Frodo’s friend) with him in order to watch his back and help him.  Almost immediately after Frodo and Sam stated to leave the Shire, they were pursued by scary black riders.  The theme is responsibility and bravery because Frodo and Sam have to face their fears and protect the ring from falling into the wrong hands.

            In the book the theme of responsibility was expressed when Frodo followed Gandalf’s instructions to leave the Shire with Sam.  This emphasizes Frodo’s responsibility because he didn’t just say, “Not my problem” and walk away like nothing happened or was going to happen.  Also, it shows how responsible he was to do exactly what Gandalf instructed him to do by bringing Sam along to watch his back and help him. These examples show how Frodo and Sam were responsible and brave enough to leave the Shire.

            Frodo and Sam exhibit bravery even though they were frightened. Almost immediately after Frodo and Sam started to leave the Shire they were pursued by scary black riders.  “We have all been scared.” said Pippin another friend of Frodo who got dragged into the chase. Even though they were fearful of the black riders, Frodo and Sam didn’t just give up and go home.  Their perseverance shows their bravery.

The theme of the book is responsibility and bravery.  Frodo is responsible and does exactly what Gandalf instructs him to do.   Frodo is also brave enough to ignore his fear of being caught by dark riders and keep going on his mission.  Overall, Frodo is responsible and brave enough to leave the Shire and keep Bilbo’s ring out off the wrong hands.