J.R.R. Tolkien's creative process extended far beyond the finished volumes of The Lord of the Rings.. Recent discussions regarding the author's private notes suggest that the creator of Middle-earth spent significant time reimagining the trajectories of his most famous inhabitants through unpublished letters and journals.
Samwise Gamgee's rejection at the Stairs of Cirith Ungol
The psychological turning point for Gollum occurs during the grueling ascent of the Stairs of Cirith Ungol. As reported by Screen Rant, Dr. Gerry Canavan, an associate professor at Marquette University, highlights a specific moment where Samwise Gamgee's suspicion and verbal hostility toward Gollum cement the creature's identity as a monster. This interaction serves as a pivotal moment of social rejection that effectively closes the door on Gollum's potential for change within the primary narrative.
This scene carries significantly more weight in the original text than in various cinematic adaptations. The tension between the travelers during this climb illustrates how character interactions in Tolkien's prose often dictate the moral direction of the entire journey.
Tolkien's private "fan fiction" and the Catholic lens
J.R.R. Tolkien utilized his personal correspondence to expore "what if" scenarios that functioned as a form of self-directed fan fiction. according to Dr. Canavan, these explorations were deeply rooted in Tolkien's Catholic worldview, which emphasizes the existence of free will and the possibility of redemption for even the most fallen beings. Because Tolkien believed a benevolent creator would not design beings solely to suffer, he felt compelled to explore paths where Gollum might have chosen a different life.
These experimental writings show a creator wrestling with the moral agency of his subjects. By writing about potential versions of Gollum that could have turned toward the light, Tolkien was testing the boundaries of his own theological and narrative frameworks. This practice demonstrates that the published Middle-earth was merely one version of a much more fluid and experimental mythology.
The narrative purposelessness of Tom Bombadil
Tom Bombadil remains one of the most enigmatic figures in Middle-earth because he lacks a clearly defined role in the central conflict. While most characters are driven by specific plot requirements or historical legacies,Dr. Canavan notes that Tolkien remained fiercely protective of Bombadil despite the character's lack of a concrete narrative function. Bombadil exists as an ancient, powerful entity that chooses to remain aloof from the escalating struggles of the Ring.
Tolkien's decision to include such a character suggests that his world-building was not always beholden to strict plot utility. Instead, the author often prioritized the internal logic and charm of his world, allowing characters to exist simply because they enriched the texture of the setting. This pattern of prioritizing character depth over narrative necessity is a hallmark of Tolkien's expansive approach to fantasy literature.
Uncertainties in the posthumous Middle-earth archives
While these insights provide a deeper look into Tolkien's mind, several questions remain regarding the full extent of his unpublished character studies. It is currently unknown how many other major characters, such as Bilbo Baggins or Aragorn, had "alternate" versions written in private correspondence that never reached the public eye. Furthermore, since the current reporting focuses on specific anecdotes, it remains unverified whether Tolkien ever intended for these experimental notes to be integrated into a revised version of his published canon, or if they were merely intellectual exercises meant for his own eyes only.
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