CliffsNotes on

The Lord of the Rings

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About the Author

Formative Years
A Scholar’s Life
Fantasy and Fame

About the Trilogy

Introduction to the Trilogy
The Fellowship of the Ring: A Brief Synopsis
The Two Towers: A Brief Synopsis
The Return of the King: A Brief Synopsis
List of Characters
Character Map

The Fellowship of the Ring: Summaries and Commentaries

Maps, Prologue, and Note on Shire Records
Book 1, Chapters 1–6: The Shire to the Old Forest
Book 1, Chapters 7–12: The House of Bombadil to the Ford of Bruinen
Book 2, Chapters 1–5: Rivendell to Moria
Book 2, Chapters 6–10: Moria to Amon Hen

The Two Towers: Summaries and Commentaries

Book 3, Chapters 1–6: The Falls of Rauros to Edoras
Book 3, Chapters 7–11: Helm’s Deep to Isengard
Book 4, Chapters 1–6: Emyn Muil to Henneth Annûn
Book 4, Chapters 7–10: Henneth Annûn to Cirith Ungol

The Return of the King: Summaries and Commentaries

Book 5, Chapters 1–5: Minas Tirith and the Siege of Gondor
Book 5, Chapters 6–10: The Battle of Pelennor Fields to the Black Gate
Book 6, Chapters 1–5: Cirith Ungol to the Return of the King
Book 6, Chapters 6–10: Journey Home and the Scouring of the Shire
Appendices

Character Analyses

Frodo Baggins
Sam Gamgee
Gandalf the Grey
Aragorn
Gollum

Critical Essays

“This Is Worse Than Mordor!”: The Scouring of the Shire as Conclusion
The Temptation of the Ring

Study Help

Quiz
Essay Questions
Practice Projects

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Which is better, the Twilight books or the movie?

The books.
The movie.

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The Return of the King: Summaries and Commentaries

Book 6, Chapters 6–10: Journey Home and the Scouring of the Shire

gangrels  vagrants.

ironmongery  something made of metal, such as armor.

loth  reluctant.

niggard  stingy.

weskit  waistcoat, vest.

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