Numerous fantasy novels have faced bans due to their positive representations of magic, and the works of J.R.R. Tolkien—including The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit—are no exception. While Tolkien’s narratives are seminal to the fantasy genre as it exists today, it’s noteworthy that The Hobbit diverges from the epic tone characteristic of its sequel. Instead, it presents a more intimate, fairy-tale-like adventure aimed primarily at younger audiences. Set before the events of The Lord of the Rings and centering on Bilbo Baggins’ personal evolution, it seems less vulnerable to censorship than many of its contemporaries.
Critics who focus solely on perceived dangerous elements within The Hobbit overlook its profound narrative about courage and camaraderie. While Tolkien’s works do feature religious allegories, they have not safeguarded them from scrutiny on religious grounds. The troubling history of book bans and burnings indicates that various interpretations of a text can provoke discontent, regardless of the author’s intentions.
Banning of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit for “Satanic Themes”
The Perception of “Witchcraft”in The Hobbit
Reports from sources such as BookTrib and Banned Library reveal that The Hobbit has faced attempts at censorship due to accusations of “witchcraft and satanic themes.”A notable incident occurred in 2001 in Alamogordo, New Mexico, where a Christian rights group organized a book burning in protest. Although The Hobbit lacks characters portrayed in the film adaptations like Saruman and Galadriel, it still includes Gandalf, a wizard who practices magic, and Smaug, a malign and supernatural being. Complaints likely stem from the book’s expansive world-building and underlying themes.
Similar Banning Trends for The LOTR Books and The Hobbit
The LOTR Series: A Deeper Dive into Why They Are Banned
Just like The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings has also faced bans, but the reasons behind these actions are generally clearer. The narrative places a stronger emphasis on characters like Gandalf, who embodies the practice of what some may view as threatening “witchcraft.”Additionally, Galadriel is sometimes perceived as a potentially untrustworthy witch within the narrative. The demonic representations of figures such as Sauron and the Balrog are far more pronounced, even though they are established as unequivocally antagonistic figures in the storyline.
In contrast, The Hobbit offers a simpler, less intricate tale that remains grounded despite its fantastical setting. Nevertheless, both stories illustrate archetypal themes of heroism against the forces of evil, often interpreted as aligned with devilish ideologies. While banning these texts might overshadow their core messages, the ambiguous aspects of magic and morality can blur lines for some audiences. However, this controversy has not diminished Middle-earth’s lasting impact on popular culture.
Source: BookTrib, Banned Library