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Welcome back to Rearview Mirror Chronicles! Last time, we explored J.R.R. Tolkien’s early life and the war that shaped him. Now, we turn to The Lord of the Rings—a story born from his experiences of battle, loss, and faith.

The trenches of World War I echo in the battlefields of Middle-earth, while his Catholic beliefs infuse the story with themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the corrupting power of the One Ring. Yet, despite its deep roots in tradition, Tolkien’s epic found an unlikely following in the 1960s counterculture movement, embraced by hippies as an anti-establishment, nature-loving manifesto.

But The Lord of the Rings isn’t just a product of its time—it’s still profoundly relevant today. In a world grappling with power, war, and moral choices, it reminds us that even the smallest acts of courage can change everything.

Let’s return to Middle-earth and uncover the deeper meanings behind Tolkien’s masterpiece.