Final answer:
J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings' explores modern-day issues including the impact of industrialization, the corruption of power, morality, and the importance of unity in a divided world. It reflects on human ideals and our responses to real-life situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is a work of fiction that indirectly reflects on a number of modern-day issues through its storytelling, setting, and character development. One of the most prominent themes is the struggle against industrialization and the ruin it brings to the natural world, illustrated by the desolation caused by Saruman's war machinery in Isengard and the encroaching darkness of Mordor. Moreover, Tolkien deals with the concepts of power and corruption, with the One Ring serving as a symbol of ultimate power that corrupts all who seek to possess it, showing the author's skepticism of unchecked authority.
The battle between good and evil in the narrative also opens a discussion on morality, ethics, and the choices individuals make in the face of adversity, which can be translated into real-life situations of moral dilemma. Additionally, the portrayal of unity and diversity among the members of the Fellowship emphasizes the value of collaboration and acceptance among disparate cultures and races, promoting a message of tolerance and cooperation in a divided world.
While the novel was written in response to the circumstances and sentiments of a bygone era, its themes continue to resonate with contemporary audiences, providing an avenue for reflection on how human ideals are challenged by reality. Such a discussion can help students better understand their own capacity to handle real-life situations through the lens of literature.