The most practically useful Appendix is the chronology, which helps the reader correlate events between the various storylines. It is possible to read, enjoy and understand The Lord of the Rings without this information, but the Appendices reward the reader with enhanced understanding of the characters, history, and culture of Middle-earth. Like the Prologue, the Appendices include material that adds to the depth of Middle-earth and elaborates the stories of individual characters, but would have slowed down the main narrative too much to be included there. Appendix F explains the languages and races of Middle-earth during the time of the story, as well as commenting on some of the difficulties of translating all of these languages into modern English for today's readers. Appendix E explains pronunciation and forms of writing. After Aragorn dies, Legolas and Gimli set sail, the last of the Fellowship to leave Middle-earth.Īppendix C provides the family trees of Frodo, Pippin, Merry and Sam, while Appendix D explains the Shire calendar and its relationship to the calendars of elves and men. Merry and Pippin travel at last to Gondor and are laid to rest beside Aragorn.

Eventually, Sam passes the Red Book to his daughter and goes to the Havens, where the last Ringbearer also sailed to the Undying Lands. Aragorn brings his court north to visit occasionally and keeps in contact with the hobbits. Merry becomes Master of Buckland and Pippin becomes the Took, both heads of their families. The events of The Lord of the Rings are listed by specific date, and significant events in the lives of the characters after the end of the story are noted. It begins with the most significant occurrences of the First and Second Ages, followed by a more detailed summary of the Third Age. This appendix also provides the complete history of Aragorn and Arwen's romance, including Elrond's initial disapproval.Īppendix B gives a chronology of major events. Appendix A recounts the history of various rulers of Middle-earth, including the kings of Númenor and their descendants, the kings and stewards of Gondor, the rulers of Rohan, and the dwarves. Although the information is not necessary to understand the main story, they add details to the history and describe the fates of many of the characters. Tolkien provides readers six appendices to the text of The Lord of the Rings. Full Glossary for The Lord of the Rings.This Is Worse Than Mordor!': The Scouring of the Shire as Conclusion'.Summary and Analysis: The Return of the King.

Maps, Prologue, and Note on Shire Records.Summary and Analysis: The Fellowship of the Ring.

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