J.R.R. Tolkien, the legendary author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, made a significant change to one of his earlier works when he was in the process of writing the latter. It turns out that he rewrote a small part of The Hobbit to better align with the story and themes of The Lord of the Rings.
The change in question revolves around the character of Gollum and the iconic scene in which he and Bilbo Baggins engage in a riddle game. In the original version of the story, Gollum willingly bets the One Ring on the outcome of the game and upon losing, he graciously allows Bilbo to leave with it. However, as Tolkien continued to develop the story of the One Ring and its corrupting influence in The Lord of the Rings, he realized that this depiction of Gollum and the ring needed to be altered.
In The Lord of the Rings, it becomes clear that the ring has a malevolent power that corrupts those who possess it, driving them to greed and destructive behavior. In light of this, Tolkien revisited The Hobbit and revised the scene between Gollum and Bilbo to reflect this darker aspect of the ring. In the new version, Gollum becomes enraged upon realizing that he has lost the ring and accuses Bilbo of theft, setting the stage for their future conflict in The Lord of the Rings.
This change not only serves to create a stronger connection between the two stories, but also enhances the consistency of the ring’s portrayal and its impact on those who come into contact with it. It is a testament to Tolkien’s meticulous world-building and his dedication to crafting a cohesive and immersive literary universe.
Discovering this tidbit about Tolkien’s creative process offers a fascinating glimpse into the meticulous attention to detail that he poured into his work. It is a reminder of the depth and complexity of the world of Middle-earth and the thoughtfulness that went into shaping its stories and characters.
So, the next time you dive into the rich tapestry of Tolkien’s writings, take a moment to appreciate the subtle yet significant changes he made to his earlier works, all in service of creating a more compelling and cohesive narrative.