Although The Lord of the Rings and Beloved look like two completely different books -- and they are -- I’ve found a lot of similarities between the two. Obviously, Morrison’s novel deals with very real issues and is grounded in a lot more truth than Tolkien’s magic-filled fantasy. But, perhaps The Lord of the Rings, despite taking place in an entirely different universe, encompasses some of the same issues as Beloved.
At its core, the ring seeks to control. First its user, then the rest of the world; the ring will not stop until it dominates everything. Unable to resist the temptation of power that comes with the ring, mankind is unable to destroy it. Even hobbits, one of the purest and wholesome species in Middle Earth, have trouble fighting the ring. Like a sickness, it festers in its user, stripping away their humanity. Smeagol, once a carefree hobbit, became something else when he found the ring. As a result of the rings power, Smeagol killed his friend, ate raw fish, and isolated himself from everyone. Smeagol eventually took on the name Gollum, marking the ring’s success in replacing Smeagol’s identity.
I think this situation is akin to Sethe and Paul D’s. Although the power dynamic is slightly different, their lifelong struggle with slavery and its ramifications are not too different from Smeagol and his ring’s. Slavery, like the ring, has taken Sethe and Paul D’s identity and humanity. Even after its abolishment, slavery takes its toll (at the time Beloved takes place and now). Sethe wishes she was crazy and Paul D relies on his tobacco tin more than his heart. Americans, then and now, struggle to end racism and sacrifice the power that accompanies it.
I have to say, I never expected to hear references to the Lord of the Rings when discussing Beloved. I love it. The One Ring and its interactions with Smeagol really do act as a microcosm for slavery. Sauron tugs at the strings, depriving those who now wear a metal band of their humanity and sanity much as a slave driver yanks the chains of a slave's restraints, depriving them of their basic human rights. The only disparity I can see here is that unlike the One Ring, slaver does not offer those afflicted by its corruption any super powers like invisibility.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very interesting and good comparison that I have not realized before. I never thought to compare Beloved to LOTR but now that I read this post, I cannot not see the similarities.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is an interesting comparison. I think that the Lord of the Rings can have many metaphors but relating it to slavery is one that I had not thought of. The ring is like a master. It controls their minds and strips them of their freedom to be happy and to live a normal life. I think the ring has more of a mental control, an insanity component, whereas slaves use agency more frequently to fight the system.
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