illustrates this corruption through the language of addiction, where everything is sacrificed to the insatiable thirst for the Ring/Power.

Early in Lord of the Rings, Gandalf attempts to explain the Ring to Frodo by saying: "It was the strangest event in the entire history of the Ring so far: Bilbo's arrival, just at that time, and putting his hand on it, blindly, in the dark...There was more than one power at work...The Ring was trying to get back to its master. When its master was awake once more and sending out his dark thought...Behind that, there was something else at work, beyond any design of the Ring-maker. I can put it no plainer than by saying that Bilbo was meant to find the Ring and not its maker." Critics often point out the lack of explicit religious elements or references to God in Lord of the Rings. However, a sense of providence permeates the story—a benevolent force guiding events and individual choices, both positive and (ironically) negative, to lead to the Ring's destruction and Sauron's defeat. This providence doesn’t guarantee a perfect ending, as it relies on the actions of the speaking peoples, leaving them to face the repercussions of their decisions, yet it does not abandon them. Elves, men, dwarves, Ents, and Hobbits must take action, but providence ensures their efforts are not in vain. The victory of good may not restore everything that was lost or preserve all that was saved. However, it does prevent a far greater, unimaginable evil.

In Lord of the Rings, pity encompasses understanding, compassion, and a moral obligation to alleviate suffering rather than cause it. It is closely connected to empathy, differing from the contemporary view of pity, which frequently includes a touch of scorn. Acts of mercy, motivated by compassionate pity, are integral to the overarching divine plan. Characters such as Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam repeatedly spare Gollum out of pity. Ultimately, this act of mercy does not save Gollum, who remains trapped by evil, but instead saves those who have extended mercy to him.

Although many readers and critics concentrate on the notion of power's complete corruption, Tolkien himself remarked that Lord of the Rings primarily explores themes of mortality and immortality. This focus often surprises even the most attentive readers of the series, yet it becomes more evident when considering the broader history of Middle Earth. The recurring theme is the contrast between the nearly immortal elves and mortal beings such as men, dwarves, and hobbits. Sauron's initial temptation of men preys on their fear of the unknown and jealousy of the elves' eternal life. The pursuit of immortality leads to the ruin of Númenor, the island kingdom in the western sea, and an obsession with death and lineage results in the sparse population of Minas Tirith. Tolkien describes death as a "gift," suggesting it is a natural passage from the world to the presence of its creator. This theme's importance becomes clearer in Tolkien's broader works, especially in the Silmarillion and The Book of Lost Tales. Middle Earth's landscape is often portrayed in terms of loss, change, and decay, highlighting the world's fleeting nature. The contrast between the immortal, unchanging elves and the transient world accentuates their ambiguous and uncertain position, alluding to the "long defeat" mentioned by Galadriel.

Tolkien frequently faces criticism for his portrayal of events in stark black-and-white terms. Yet, as the trilogy unfolds, it becomes clear that while moral absolutes lay the groundwork for actions, they do not enforce rigid, unchanging behaviors. These absolutes act as benchmarks for characters as they deliberate over various 'right actions.' Both Merry and Pippin swear oaths of loyalty but intentionally break them to pursue a greater good. As Rosebury observed, "it is precisely these kinds of departure from a facile and predictable structuring of ethical action which exemplify the work's moral subtlety and openness to contingency." Tolkien depicts his characters as having moral imperfections and intellectual limitations. Even Gandalf is portrayed with a deep sense of human flaw. Tolkien's most wise characters retain their wisdom by balancing their limited knowledge. Frodo demonstrates this when he quotes the saying, "Go not to the elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes." The elf Gildor replies, "Elves seldom give unguarded advice for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill."

The central theme of The Lord of the Rings highlights the necessity of confronting the power of evil. Tolkien demonstrates that nobody is immune to its influence. Everyone, regardless of their strength, is susceptible to corruption. Throughout the tale, characters who have been steadfast defenders of good in Middle-earth succumb to corruption—Saruman, Boromir, and Theoden. Even Gandalf, arguably the most virtuous and powerful member of the fellowship, refuses to take the ring, fearing it would corrupt him. Frodo also comes alarmingly close to disaster and is ultimately rescued from failure by an external force. Gollum, who consistently acts with malevolent intent throughout the book, inadvertently (or perhaps providentially) saves the day by biting off Frodo's ring finger and falling into the Cracks of Doom with it. Gollum's actions and their beneficial outcome can be seen as either a stroke of luck or divine intervention; Tolkien does not provide a clear explanation of his purpose. Regardless, the reader must come to terms with the fact that Frodo, despite his remarkable heroism—making him one of the most heroic figures in modern literature—could not ultimately resist the corrupting influence of true evil. In the end, it did corrupt him.