Why Tell Stories?

Tolkien, Lord of the Rings and Therapeutic Worlds

Photo by Nong on Unsplash

Storytelling has been a fundamental part of human civilization for thousands of years, allowing us to share experiences, convey emotions, pass down knowledge, and connect with one another on a deep level. It has the power to captivate, inspire, educate, and entertain, making it a timeless and valuable art form. From ancient myths and folktales to contemporary novels and films, storytelling continues to shape our understanding of the world and our place in it.

J.R.R. Tolkien, for example, wrote “The Lord of the Rings” for a variety of reasons. He was driven by his personal experiences, interests, and creative vision. Tolkien had a deep appreciation for mythology, folklore, and ancient languages. His scholarly background and passion for constructing languages, such as Elvish, inspired him to create a richly detailed world with its own history, legends, and diverse cultures. He also served in World War I and witnessed the horrors of war firsthand. His experiences influenced his writing, and “The Lord of the Rings” can be seen as a reflection of the themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the destructive nature of power that he encountered during the war.

“The Lord of the Rings” was the culmination of Tolkien’s diverse interests, his desire to create a comprehensive mythology, and his passion for storytelling. The resulting work has become a beloved classic, captivating readers with its intricate world-building, compelling characters, and timeless themes.

The One Ring, also called the Ruling Ring and Isildur’s Bane, is a central plot element in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. It first appeared in the earlier story The Hobbit as a magic ring that grants the wearer invisibility

Writing fiction can provide a means for authors to explore their own emotions, experiences, and personal struggles in a creative and symbolic way. By translating their emotions into the lives of fictional characters, authors can gain distance from their personal experiences while still processing and giving voice to their emotions.

The act of creating and shaping fictional worlds and narratives can provide a cathartic release for authors. They may find a sense of relief and emotional release as they pour their thoughts, fears, hopes, and conflicts into their stories. This release can contribute to a sense of personal healing and emotional well-being. In fiction writing, authors have control over the worlds they create and the characters they develop. This sense of control can be empowering, especially if authors have experienced trauma or challenges in their own lives. Through storytelling, authors can rewrite narratives, explore alternative outcomes, and regain a sense of agency over their own stories.

Authors may discover new insights about themselves, their experiences, and their personal growth through the characters and themes they explore in their stories. This self-reflective process can contribute to personal healing, self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of one’s own journey. Fictional stories have the power to create connections and foster empathy. As authors develop complex characters and relatable experiences, they may find solace in knowing that their own struggles are shared by others. This shared understanding can promote healing by reducing feelings of isolation and fostering a sense of connection with readers and the broader human experience.

During his lifetime, Tolkien said little about himself. That’s a fact which should be held in mind in any question involving his beliefs. He opposed many efforts to write his biography. As he’d explain, he felt his identity was best communicated by “tales and myths.” After he died in 1973, his children engaged a biographer. Humphrey Carpenter was a young journalist whose key qualification seems to have been his willingness to print what the family wanted, and his ability to turn out a readable book in a year.

While Tolkien did not explicitly speak about personal healing through his writing, it is clear that his creative endeavors allowed him to explore his interests, express his imagination, and leave a lasting impact on the world of literature. “The Lord of the Rings” continues to inspire and captivate readers around the globe, and the act of sharing his imaginative world with others may have brought Tolkien a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

At its core, “The Lord of the Rings” is a story of a perilous journey and a quest to destroy the One Ring. The quest represents a metaphorical journey of personal growth, resilience, and the triumph of good over evil. It explores themes of bravery, friendship, loyalty, and the indomitable spirit of ordinary individuals facing extraordinary challenges.

The One Ring symbolizes power and the corrupting nature of unchecked ambition. It embodies the allure of power and the temptation to wield it for personal gain. The struggles and inner conflicts experienced by characters like Frodo, Gollum, and Boromir highlight the profound impact power can have on individuals and the moral dilemmas it presents.

Characters like Frodo, Sam, Aragorn, and Gandalf exemplify bravery, selflessness, and the willingness to give up personal comfort and safety for the greater good. The story explores the transformative power of sacrifice and the profound impact individuals can have on shaping the course of history.

The story is rich with symbolism, allegory, and intricate world-building, offering a profound exploration of the human experience and the timeless struggle between light and darkness, and how both live within us all.