Many Shades of One Man: Heroic Personalities in the Works of J. R. R. Tolkien

Abstract

Tolkien's heroes appeal to the reader because the heroic development of the individual is so apparent; heroes progress in noticeable ways which are easy for the reader to follow and understand. Plus, no heroic figure goes without some type of improvement over the course of the storyline. This gives the reader a chance to see several characters evolve over time towards the common goal of character development. However, no two characters progress in the same manner; some maturation may seem, on the surface, to be greater than others. Nonetheless, the reader must look at each character independent of his companions; comparative growth in his heroes was not Tolkien's intent. Instead, each figure represents a different type of heroic growth, and it is the individuality of this heroism which separates the characters from one another. Purtill viewed the heroic figures in LOTR in this manner: "In many ways Tolkien 'facets' character: each individual . . . represents one aspect of a complete human being" (Purtill 45). Tolkien had a specific purpose, a particular message, which each character was meant to portray. In relaying his intentions, he creates a group of heroes unlike any other which had come before. [From Introduction]