Finding Your Toolbox

Did you know Lord of the Rings is not actually a trilogy?  It's a six-volume work.  However, it is intended to be read as one novel.  Whereas one can read one Hunger Games or Harry Potter book, take an extended break, then return to read the next book, The Lord of the Rings is not structured like this.  Each book leads directly into the other and is to be read without undue pause.  It was the publisher who decided it should be put out as a trilogy.  It is easier to sell shorter books, and you can market on the cliff-hanger at the end of each.  Why do I bring all this up?  Because we have finished book 1.  This week's chapter, "Many Meetings," is the first chapter of the second book.

In Jewish tradition, when you finish a book of the Torah throughout the annual cycle, you say "chazak, chazak, v'nitzchazeik."  This can be interpreted a variety of ways.  The interpretation I learned is that it means "From strength to strength, we will gather our strength".  Reading the Torah gives us strength, Torah is a source of strength, Torah makes a community stronger, etc.  Given the original goals of this project it would be interesting to think of a phrase to be said at the end of each book, to celebrate our progress.  But that's a problem for another time.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this week's chapter Frodo finds himself in Rivendell, safe from the Black Riders who had been pursuing him.  Frodo has been asleep for a few days healing from his injuries.  When he awakens he has the eponymous many meetings: Frodo reunites with Strider and the other hobbits, but also Gandalf and Bilbo.  He also meets some newcomers to our narrative, like Elrond and Arwen.  Indeed, this title is well earned!

As I said, Frodo had been in bed for a few days.  Everyone was worried about him.  When he arises, they are collectively relieved.  Pippin, in particular, makes an over-the-top remark when he sees his Frodo has recovered:

"Hurray!" Cried Pippin, springing up. "Here is our

noble cousin.  Make way for Frodo, Lord of the Ring!"

"Hush!" Said Gandalf... "The Lord of the Ring is not Frodo,

but the master of the Dark Tower of Mordor..."

Gandalf objects to Pippin's characterization of Frodo.  Frodo has borne the Ring and has (mostly) resisted its temptations, but Frodo is not it's master.  Indeed, Frodo can never be the Master of The One Ring  That is, and remains, Sauron, even though he doesn't currently possess it.

What is the Ring, precisely?  When it was created Sauron added some of his own essence.  Sauron is a creature of strength and deception.  The Ring both represents Sauron's desire to dominate all of Middle Earth and is a tool to increase his strength.  The Ring tempts other bearers with a promise of this strength.  They can dominate as Sauron dominates.

But the Ring deceives.  No one can dominate as Sauron dominates - it is only an imitation of his dominance.  In a clash of wills against Sauron the Ring will betray them.  The Ring can be wielded by others, but not against Sauron.

As readers, we can understand The One Ring as a metaphor for power.  If you have it, you will be tempted to use it.  But if you use it, it changes you.  They say discretion is the better part of valor.  It is better to take a temporary loss than to permanently lose yourself for a momentary victory.  There are other ways to act.

Take Donald Trump.  Trump excels at insults.  They are memorable and they are annoying.  They are difficult to ignore.  These insults are one way Trump is, as we have heard many times before, a different kind of politician.  So how do we fight a different kind of politician?  Will the old strategies work?

Some have decided to take him on directly - beat him at his own game.  Marco Rubio decided to throw his own insults at him during the 2016 election.  The results were laughable.  Rubio could not match Trump's ability to cut with words.  Rubio tried to correct-course and the end result was one of the strangest political breakdowns I think has ever happened on live television.

The reason Rubio lost was simple.  Insults are Trump's weapon of choice.  Insults are Trump's Ring.  You can wield them against him, but ultimately insults will aid Trump, not you.  You will harm only yourself.

Another example is to consider the American Revolution.  We've all heard (somewhat exaggerated) that the colonists used guerrilla tactics while the British used European linear tactics.  The British were much better at linear tactics - why try to beat them at their own game?  Instead the colonists decided to exploit the weaknesses of linear tactics.  Only with the aid of the French were the colonists able to use linear tactics effectively.

A final example: I play a lot of board games in my spare time, and some of them I play competitively.  My favorite to play is Diplomacy.  Briefly, Diplomacy is a game of deal making - you must cooperate with some players against others.  Ultimately, to win, you need to be seen as trustworthy and deserving of the win.  People rarely win Diplomacy by brute force.

But there are many styles of play.  Some people refuse to lie.  Some people move their units aggressively.  Some people plant seeds of mistrust between other players.  Some people try to intimidate others.  Some hope to go unnoticed.  All of these styles are valid.

Where some new players run into trouble, I find, is playing a style against a certain opponent, rather than playing their style.  If someone is known for setting up conflict on the board, they'll try to get them embroiled in a conflict, often leaving a front unguarded.  If someone tries to disappear into the din, they'll use all their strength to point this out - unaware that they are now making the din they can disappear into.

In all cases we have people using tools.  There are many ways to make it in this world.  It is important to look inside yourself and discover your natural strengths.  Are you an excellent deal maker?  Do you like to take your time and explore your surroundings or do you prefer to quickly focus in on what's important?  Are you good at bringing people together, or better at pointing fingers at the out-group?  All of these are tools.  There are many ways to live a successful life.  But you need to find the right tools for you.  I say tools and not tool because A) we are all at least competent at multiple things and B) it is a bad idea to depend on only one approach.

Overcoming obstacles is a key skill in life.  There are many tools we can employ for success; find the tools that work for you.  Practice them, hone them, learn how to best apply them.  Finding your toolbox is an important step toward living the kind of life you want to.  Not only will you be equipped to deal with obstacles as they come your way but you'll stay true to yourself, as well.  If overcoming an obstacle changes you, did you really overcome it?

The Lord of the Rings: An Ethical Guide is a Patreon-supported project.  Thank you to all those who have contributed.

Like this project?  Want to learn more?  Want exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content?  Go to my Patreon site and see how you can become a part of the action!