# Another LOTR thread:  Opinions on the end of the book.  (MAJOR spoilers)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-lotr-thread-opinions-on-the-end-of-the-book-major-spoilers/130519>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [October 2, 2002, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-lotr-thread-opinions-on-the-end-of-the-book-major-spoilers/130519 "2002-10-02T11:19:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2002, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-lotr-thread-opinions-on-the-end-of-the-book-major-spoilers/130519/21 "2002-10-04T00:13:03Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by toadspittle \*  
> **Then there’s Gandalf–I mean, he’s an angel, as it were, and is brought back from the dead, and sent back with more ass-kicking power than before.**

\<Peter Jackson reference\>

“I kick arse for the Lord!”

\</pjr\>

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**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2002, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-lotr-thread-opinions-on-the-end-of-the-book-major-spoilers/130519/22 "2002-10-05T05:54:57Z")

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I found a copy of letter 246 here. I think it’s one of the most important letters because it reveals some of the ideas and beliefs that were fundamental to LOTR.

[http://www.americanidea.org/handouts/06240110.htm](http://www.americanidea.org/handouts/06240110.htm)

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**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2002, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-lotr-thread-opinions-on-the-end-of-the-book-major-spoilers/130519/23 "2002-10-05T06:16:54Z")

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BTW, this letter is a draft found in Tolkien’s papers - it was never sent.

The letter includes Tolkien’s outline of what would have happened if Gollum had not taken the ring at the last moment and Frodo had kept it (in essence, with the help of the Ringwraiths, Sauron would have easily recovered it). He also describes the power of the Ring and Sauron’s power even when someone else is wearing it.

The letter ends with these fascinating comments:

> [@](#):
>
> Gandalf as Ring-Lord would have been far worse than Sauron. He would have remained righteous, but self-righteous. He would have continued to rule and order things for good, and the benefit of his subjects according to his wisdom (which was and would have remained great).
> 
> [The draft ends here. In the margin Tolkien wrote: Thus while Sauron multiplied (illegible word) evil, he left good clearly distinguishable from it. Gandalf would have made good detestable and seem evil.]

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