Write a carefully organized, double-spaced essay of two to three pages in which you discuss the following topic. Be specific, and be sure that you are using evidence from the story to illustrate the points you want to make. Do not simply summarize the story. Be sure that your essay has a clear thesis in the opening paragraph and that it uses specific details from the texts to support the points you make.
- Tolkien deeply mistrusted power, especially unlimited power. He thought it corrupted, and that people could not be trusted with it. Discuss how this mistrust is expressed in Books I and II. Consider Saruman, Galadriel, Boromir, and Frodo. You may consider others if you wish. Be specific, and support each point of your discussion using specific details from the story.
