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Definition of Simile
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things. To make the comparison, similes most often use the connecting words "like" or "as," but can also... read full definition
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things. To make the comparison, similes most often use the connecting words "like... read full definition
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things. To make the comparison, similes most often... read full definition
Book 1, Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—Like Butter :
When Bilbo speaks with Gandalf before Bilbo's planned birthday party, Gandalf is glad to hear that Bilbo intends to leave The One Ring, a powerful and dangerous magical object, to his nephew, Frodo. In their conversation, Bilbo uses a simile to describe the effect that bearing the ring has had on him:
"I am old, Gandalf. I don’t look it, but I am beginning to feel it in my heart of hearts. Well-preserved indeed!" he snorted. "Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much bread. That can’t be right. I need a change, or something." Gandalf looked curiously and closely at him. "No, it does not seem right," he said thoughtfully. "No, after all I believe your plan is probably the best."
Book 1, Chapter 8
Explanation and Analysis—Tom Bombadil's Home:
Tolkien employs vivid imagery and a simile in a scene in which Frodo and his companions leave the home of Tom Bombadil and Goldberry:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Tom Bombadil’s house and the valley, and the Forest were lost to view. The air grew warmer between the green walls of hillside and hillside, and the scent of turf rose strong and sweet as they breathed. Turning back, when they reached the bottom of the green hollow, they saw Goldberry, now small and slender like a sunlit flower against the sky: she was standing still watching them, and her hands were stretched out towards them. As they looked she gave a clear call, and lifting up her hand she turned and vanished behind the hill.
Book 1, Chapter 11
Explanation and Analysis—Like Black Holes:
Tolkien uses a simile that compares the ring-wraiths to black holes:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Over the lip of the little dell, on the side away from the hill, they felt, rather than saw, a shadow rise, one shadow or more than one. They strained their eyes, and the shadows seemed to grow. Soon there could be no doubt: three or four tall black figures were standing there on the slope, looking down on them. So black were they that they seemed like black holes in the deep shade behind them. Frodo thought that he heard a faint hiss as of venomous breath and felt a thin piercing chill. Then the shapes slowly advanced.
Related Themes:
Book 2, Chapter 4
Explanation and Analysis—Will-o’-the-wisp:
Tolkien alludes to will-o'-the-wisps, creatures in British folklore, in a scene in which the Fellowship follows Gandalf through the dark and dangerous mines of Moria:
Unlock with LitCharts A+For eight dark hours, not counting two brief halts, they marched on; and they met no danger, and heard nothing, and saw nothing but the faint gleam of the wizard’s light, bobbing like a will-o’-the-wisp in front of them. The passage they had chosen wound steadily upwards. As far as they could judge it went in great mounting curves, and as it rose it grew loftier and wider. There were now no openings to other galleries or tunnels on either side [...] Evidently they had struck what once had been an important road.
Book 2, Chapter 5
Explanation and Analysis—Like a Wizened Tree :
During the climactic fight between Gandalf and the Balrog, an ancient creature of incredible size and power, Tolkien uses a simile:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass."
The Balrog made no answer. The fire in it seemed to die, but the darkness grew. It stepped forward slowly on to the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and its wings were spread from wall to wall; but still Gandalf could be seen, glimmering in the gloom; he seemed small, and altogether alone: grey and bent, like a wizened tree before the onset of a storm.
Related Themes:
Book 2, Chapter 7
Explanation and Analysis—Terrible as the Morning :
When Frodo offers The One Ring to Galadriel, she suddenly changes in appearance and uses a series of similes in a foreboding speech:
Unlock with LitCharts A+'And now at last it comes. You will give me the Ring freely! In place of the Dark Lord you will set up a Queen. And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair!’ She lifted up her hand and from the ring that she wore there issued a great light that illumined her alone and left all else dark.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Lothlórien:
Tolkien employs both simile and imagery in his depiction of Lothlórien, an important but secretive Elven realm:
Unlock with LitCharts A+There was a wide treeless space before them, running in a great circle and bending away on either hand. Beyond it was a deep fosse lost in soft shadow, but the grass upon its brink was green, as if it glowed still in memory of the sun that had gone. Upon the further side there rose to a great height a green wall encircling a green hill thronged with mallorn-trees taller than any they had yet seen in all the land. Their height could not be guessed, but they stood up in the twilight like living towers.
