## The Return of the King 🔹 *author* [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] 🔸 *prev* [[References/Readwise/Books/The Two Towers|The Two Towers]], *next* [[Readwise/Books/The Silmarillion|The Silmarillion]], *related* > [!abstract]- Overview > [name of book] (url)[^1] > ### Concepts %% fold %% #### Appendix A: The Necessary Background of History Notes from Appendix and the [Mythgard Institute](https://mythgard.org/academy/return-of-the-king/) series. Apendix A: I tells the story of the Numenorians. Two brothers had helped to defeat Melkor (Elrond and his brother Elros) and are given a choice between leaving for the undying lands or living in Middle Earth with blessed long life, a decision their descendents are also given. They choose to say for a time and Elros founds Numinor, which is blessed as long as they never break the oath to sail west to the Undying Lands. After many generations they begin to turn against the Eldar and the last king is swayed by Sauron who convinces him to take the Undying Lands as his own. His attempt causes the destruction of Numenor, and the few remaining faithful are forced to migrate to Middle Earth and found the Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor. --- [21:00](https://youtu.be/6KDuBMqfReg?si=dBpdHU-a8uE9AxXf&t=1260) While Tolkien may have argued he was against allegory, there is in fact what appears to be allegory in the end of Return of the King, even if it isn't direct or precise in the way that something like Animal Farm is. Each character doesn't represent a specific virtue or historical character, however it does reference the situation of Britain in WWI. - "He already owned a good sight more than what was good for him." - The Hobbit who seemingly has too much already and keeps desiring more, leading him into a relationship with Saurumon - I had seen this as representative of the beginning of capitalism in the English countryside. - Perhaps modernization (increased productivity in the mills being built) and a little bit the fall of aristocracy (the Took family). ### Highlights ![[Readwise/Books/The Return of the King#Highlights|The Return of the King]] <hr class="references"> ### References %% fold %% [^1]: Olsen, Corey (2016). *The Necessary Background of History* [YouTube Course](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KDuBMqfReg)