The Two Towers: Symbolism and Parallels to the Catholic Faith

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Brief Overview of the Book

The Two Towers continues the journey of the Fellowship, now scattered across Middle-earth. The narrative splits into two main storylines:

  1. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli pursue the orcs that have captured Merry and Pippin. This leads them to the kingdom of Rohan, where they encounter King Théoden, corrupted by Saruman’s influence. They join forces with Rohan to fight Saruman’s armies, culminating in the Battle of Helm’s Deep. Meanwhile, Merry and Pippin escape and meet Treebeard, an ent, who rallies the ents to attack Saruman’s stronghold at Isengard.
  2. Frodo and Sam continue their journey to Mordor with the reluctant guidance of Gollum. Along the way, Frodo’s compassion for Gollum contrasts with Gollum’s internal struggle between good and evil. The book ends with Frodo’s capture by orcs after Gollum leads him to the lair of Shelob, a monstrous spider.

The themes of providence, trust, and the fight against evil come to the forefront, offering many connections to Catholic teachings.

Catholic Symbolism in The Two Towers

  1. Gollum as a Representation of Fallen Humanity
    • Gollum embodies the duality of human nature—created good but marred by sin. His struggle between his better self (“Sméagol”) and his darker impulses (“Gollum”) parallels the internal battle described in Romans 7:19: “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”
    • Frodo’s mercy toward Gollum reflects the Christian call to show compassion and recognize the potential for redemption in every soul.
  2. The Ents and the Stewardship of Creation
    • The ents, tree-like beings who guard the forests, symbolize the Catholic understanding of humanity’s responsibility to care for God’s creation (Laudato Si’). Their march against Saruman, who destroys the forests for power, serves as a reminder of the consequences of exploiting nature without reverence.
  3. Helm’s Deep as a Fortress of Faith
    • The Battle of Helm’s Deep represents the perseverance of the faithful against overwhelming odds. The stronghold, a last refuge for the people of Rohan, can be seen as a symbol of the Church, which offers spiritual protection and strength in times of trial.
    • Gandalf’s arrival with reinforcements at the battle’s darkest moment mirrors Christ’s promise to be with His people and bring victory over evil.
  4. Sam as a Model of Christian Virtue
    • Sam exemplifies virtues like loyalty, humility, and perseverance. His unwavering support for Frodo mirrors the role of a faithful Christian in carrying others’ burdens (Galatians 6:2).
    • Sam’s confrontation with Shelob, where he fights to protect Frodo, can be likened to the spiritual battle against evil that Christians must face with courage and faith.
  5. Saruman as a False Prophet
    • Saruman’s fall from grace represents the danger of pride and the corruption of wisdom when separated from God. His use of lies and manipulation to lead others astray parallels the work of false prophets warned about in Scripture (Matthew 7:15).
  6. Providence in the Journey
    • The seemingly random events—such as Merry and Pippin meeting Treebeard or Frodo’s sparing of Gollum—demonstrate the hand of providence at work. Tolkien’s Catholic worldview emphasizes that even in chaos, God’s plan unfolds, bringing good out of evil.

Parallels to Catholic Themes

  1. The Struggle Between Good and Evil
    • The Two Towers delves deeper into the moral struggle, showing characters like Frodo and Gollum grappling with their choices. This reflects the Catholic understanding of free will and the constant spiritual battle against temptation (Ephesians 6:12).
  2. Trust in Divine Providence
    • Despite the odds, the characters move forward in hope, trusting in the unseen. Aragorn and Théoden’s decision to fight at Helm’s Deep despite their small numbers echoes the biblical theme of God using the weak to triumph over the strong (Judges 7:2-7, the story of Gideon).
  3. Humility in Leadership
    • Aragorn and Théoden both display humility, contrasting sharply with Saruman’s pride. Aragorn serves selflessly, delaying his claim to the throne to prioritize the mission, while Théoden overcomes his despair to lead his people. These examples mirror Christ’s model of servant leadership (John 13:14-15).
  4. Shelob as a Symbol of Mortal Sin
    • Shelob, the monstrous spider, represents mortal sin that traps and paralyzes the soul. Sam’s defeat of Shelob using the light of Galadriel’s star-glass (a symbol of grace) signifies the power of God’s light to overcome darkness (John 1:5).
  5. Treebeard’s Warning Against Indifference
    • Treebeard initially hesitates to involve the ents in the war, reflecting the temptation of indifference in the face of evil. His eventual decision to act serves as a reminder of the Christian duty to stand against injustice and defend the truth.

Conclusion

In The Two Towers, Tolkien deepens the spiritual and moral themes of the story, weaving in Catholic concepts such as providence, redemption, and the fight against sin. The book reminds readers that even in times of division and darkness, faith, hope, and courage can guide the way. Characters like Frodo, Sam, and Aragorn serve as models of perseverance and selflessness, pointing toward the ultimate victory of good over evil.

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