THE VALUES OF HEROISMIN “THE LORD OF THE RINGS:THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING” NOVEL BY J.R.R. TOLKIEN

Recent literary critics have come into an agreement that there is still no conventional definition, as well as the function, of literature. It commonly happens that a definition of literature given by one critic will soon be debated, challenged, or even refused by others. An attempt of finding a conclusive definition, limitation, and function of literature seems to be an endless effort in the frame work of humanistic studies. The Lord of the Rings took almost eighteen years of writing process before it was being published during the year 1954-55 and divided into three volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. The Lord of the Rings, actually, is not a ‘trilogy’ but a unified work.Moreover, this thesis analyzes one of J. R. R. Tolkien’s novels: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Therefore, the object of the study under the guidelines of two research questions, those are: (1) What values of heroism Frodo Baggins has which make him chosen as the Ring-bearer? (2)What and who influence him so that he has those values of heroism? The reasons in choosing Frodo Baggins as the Ring-bearer for there are some values of heroism Frodo Baggins has which make him capable of taking and destroying the Ring to Mount Doom. These values are pride, dignity, courage, willingness, as well as responsibility. These values of heroism can be taken out from Frodo Baggins for there are influences from his friends and relatives as well as his environment that can affect Frodo’s life in his journeys and his way of thinking. In order to analyze more about those reasons, the thesis writer uses the Mythological and Archetypal Approachwhich insists on locating the heroism values shown by the characters within the novel. By using the theory as well as exploring the reasons behind the choosing of Frodo Baggins as the Ring-bearer, it reveals the heroism values in the story. After analyzing the novel, it is found that Frodo is just a mere Hobbit who is weak and has limitations in strength to fight against the evil and powerful power of the Dark Lord Sauron. Still, there are values of heroism in him, such as willingness, dignity, courage, and responsibility that make him capable in doing the task of destroying the Ring. These values of heroism cannot be existed in Frodo’s life unless there are influences from his friends and relatives such as Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn , Boromir, Sam, Merry and Pippin to support him in facing all the obstacles and tries to make them through. Although he has to deal with both ups and downs, Frodo is able to manage his times, desires, and also copes with his environment in order to make the task of destroying the Ring accomplished