Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring follows a basic principle of narrative in the “Heroic Quest” it sees the hobbit Frodo forced into a situation where he must destroy the legendary “One Ring” in the Cracks of Doom in the land of Mordor. The book starts with a very slow paced introduction to life in the shire and the hobbits that live there. At the time the book starts it is Bilbo Baggins’ “Eleventy-First” birthday and the great festival’s joy and levity really help to contrast with the darker more serious fantasy that comes later in the novel.

Although the book was always intended to be part of a trilogy I can’t help but feel that that the first part of the novel goes somewhat sluggishly. We are 148 pages into the book before the adventure even begins meaning 33 percent of a novel, which could be considered the father of most high fantasy adventure, is spent overseeing Frodo’s moving house and preparation of the journey to meet Gandalf at The Prancing Pony. Whether this detracts from the story arc as a whole is a difficult matter as a long arduous introduction to Middle Earth only makes us more appreciating of the incredible sights and experiences the Hobbits undergo such as seeing Rivendell and the Mines of Moria.

It is perhaps this reason then that I feel Aragorn is such an important part of the plot, when the character of “Strider” that the real “adventure” theme begins. He is introduced as “A travel stained cloak of heavy dark green cloth was drawn close about him and in spite of the heat of the room he wore a hood that overshadowed his face; but the gleam of his eyes could be seen as he watched the hobbits.” This is the first real intrigue of the novel and this shady threatening description of Strider also seems to have connotations of a black rider that has so harrowingly hounded the Hobbits in Hobbiton. Aragorn instead quickly takes up the role of steadfast if somewhat stoic leader of the hobbits to Rivendell. Aragorn is always the most trustworthy and beloved “Big Person” to the Hobbits and it is always he who ultimately comes to the rescue when other Men such as Boromir fail.

Throughout the novel of The Fellowship of the Ring there appears to be a variety of social distinctions not focused on by Tolkien. John Molyneux writes “According to Marx social relations correspond to a certain level of development of the forces of production (technology, plus labour, plus science). The productive forces of Middle Earth are resolutely medieval.” (http://johnmolyneux.blogspot.com/2011/09/tolkiens-world-marxist-analysis.html) Aragorn appears to have a greater claim to the throne of Gondor though nothing but birth right and Boromir is cast aside even though he has served his kingdom well and loyally. This suggests that Middle Earth is still operating in a feudal system and therefore many allegoric claims the cold war become less serious.