First we take Poilievre (Saruman) then we take Trump (Sauron).
The structure of defeating Saruman before Sauron in The Lord of the Rings is an example of the literary device “false climax” or “delayed resolution.” It creates a sense of victory before the ultimate threat is truly vanquished, increasing tension and narrative depth.
Key Literary Devices at Play:
1. False Climax (or Delayed Resolution) – The downfall of Saruman in The Two Towers might seem like a major victory, but it is only a step toward defeating the greater evil, Sauron. This subverts expectations and keeps the narrative momentum going.
2. Foreshadowing – Saruman serves as a warning of what Sauron represents, allowing the characters (and readers) to understand the stakes before the final battle.
3. Parallelism – Saruman and Sauron are both dark lords in different ways. Their downfall follows a mirrored trajectory, reinforcing the theme of corruption and power.
4. Rising Action & Escalation – By defeating Saruman first, Tolkien structures the story so that the final battle against Sauron feels even more daunting and climactic.
5. Denouement & Catharsis (The Scouring of the Shire) – The delayed consequences of Saruman’s evil reach all the way home, reinforcing that the war was not just about grand battles but about the corruption of simple things.
This sequencing builds tension, subverts traditional storytelling rhythms, and enhances the novel’s themes of power, corruption, and the lingering effects of war.
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Published on January 29, 2025
Updated on January 29, 2025