The Two Towers

Throughout The Two Towers, Tolkien invokes the power that hope can have. While the Ents, the people of Rohan, and Frodo and Sam face seemingly insurmountable challenges in the war against Sauron and Saruman, they all miraculously overcome a seemingly superior enemy because they maintain hope when despair seems to be the more reasonable choice. This belief in the power of hope to allow good to triumph over evil is informed by Tolkien’s Christian faith.

Gandalf repeatedly reminds his companions that hope is vital to their cause because only through trust and collaboration can Sauron be vanquished. He does not suggest that hope alone can save Middle-earth, admitting, “Hope is not victory” (489), but his meeting with Théoden reveals that hope is the necessary first step to achieving victory. When Théoden is under Wormtongue’s influence, he is in a state of despair, but Gandalf inspires him to try to fight against Isengard by promising that there is at least a chance of victory. Gandalf indicates that a similar hope is required for all members of the fellowship, because they must trust that Frodo will complete his mission without knowing whether or not he is alive. He alludes to this when he tells the Rohirrim, “You live.