Any advice on how to underdstand all of The Lord of the Rings?

Question

I've just recently begun reading The Lord of the Rings. I understand the gist of the plot but I want to know it like the back of my hand.

Answer 1

I would say, watch the film several times, the long DVD home version. Then read the novels. The film only left out a few elements: Tom Bombadil and the Scouring of the Shire to be the main ones.

You will have to read it several times to attain the degree of fluency you wish.

Then you would want to read a biography of Tolkein himself. He was a Jewish kid raised in South Africa who returned to England, attended Oxford (or Cambridge, I forgot which), fought in WWI and taught medieval literature and old English for most of his life. His books are a fusion of medieval legends, linguistics, his own life history, and a huge amount of fantasy.

Answer 2

I read the Hobbit and the Trilogy many years ago, and still remember much of it. I suggest to read it and reread it again. Rereading is like watching a movie again, different things will stand out, that weren't evident the first time..

Answer 3

You will have to read it alot. There is alot of depth to the story and the symbolism. (Even though Tolkien claimed he didn't mean anything by it. he said he was just telling a story.) I read it once a year usually January. It feels like a vacation to me.

Answer 4

Listen to the audio book version instead. They sell the LOTR trilogy in audio book form, and it's much easier to understand, remember and appreciate the story through listening instead of reading.

Answer 5

take a glimpse into the movies- all three will take you one day