UMC Lord of the Rings The Return of the King Concepts Discussion

I’m working on a writing question and need a sample draft to help me study.

Write a carefully organized, double-spaced essay of two to three pages in which you discuss the following topic. Be specific, and be sure that you are using evidence from the story to illustrate the points you want to make. Do not simply summarize the story. Be sure that your essay has a clear thesis in the opening paragraph and that it uses specific details from the texts to support the points you make.

Gandalf, Elrond, and Aragorn have all insisted that their followers undertake dangerous missions only of their own free will. They will not compel anyone. By contrast, Sauron and Saruman corrupt, break, or distort the free will of their followers.

Evaluate the importance of free will as a defining characteristic of free people. Use specific examples from the story to illustrate each point you make.