The Visibility of Dwarves in ‘The Lord of the Rings’

Often, casual readers of J.R.R. Tolkien's works may wonder about the absence of large dwarf armies in his epic tale, The Lord of the Rings. This article aims to clarify why there were only a few dwarf characters and armies mentioned in the story, focusing on the context and importance of dwarves in Tolkien’s expansive world.

The Presence and Absence of Dwarves in The Lord of the Rings

It is a common misconception that there were no dwarf armies in The Lord of the Rings. In reality, the Kingdom of Erebor did have an army. The assertion that there were “almost none” of dwarves in the story is correct in the sense that they were not central to the plot. The dwarves did fight, but they mostly fought in the north against Sauron's forces, such as the Easterlings of Rhun, as well as alongside the men of Dale and Laketown.

However, it is essential to note that the story focuses primarily on the hobbits, such as Frodo Baggins and his companions, as well as the protagonists like Aragorn and Gandalf, who are based in Gondor to the south. This geographical shift means that the northern battles involving the dwarves are less prominent in the narrative.

Why Were There No Dwarf Armies in the South?

The absence of a significant dwarven presence in the south of The Lord of the Rings is due to the focus of the narrative. Tolkien crafted the story to build on the success of The Hobbit, which concluded following the recovery of the One Ring by Bilbo Baggins. The subsequent story needed to cement the importance of the hobbits and introduce new characters, such as Frodo Baggins and his friends, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, and Samwise Gamgee. The dwarves, who are prominently featured in The Hobbit, are not the primary focus in The Lord of the Rings.

The main antagonist, Sauron, was primarily concentrated in Mordor, his base of power. Therefore, the narrative centered around the southern regions of Middle-earth, which is where the main battle lines were drawn.

Role of Dwarves in The Lord of the Rings

Dwarves did make some appearances in The Lord of the Rings. For instance, Gimli, the son of Glóin, was a significant character who fought alongside the hobbits and the free peoples of Middle-earth. Gimli's role goes beyond that of a mere background character; he is a well-developed character who supports the hobbits on their journey and plays a crucial role in fighting Sauron's forces.

Other dwarves mentioned, such as Dáin Ironfoot, Dori, Nori, Dwalin, and Bifur, did not appear in person in the text. They were mentioned by name in discussions or as participants in events, such as the Council of Elrond. These dwarves were part of the northern battles, with the fight for Erebor and the surrounding lands being a major conflict in the north of Middle-earth.

Conclusion

Middle-earth is a vast world with a rich tapestry of characters and stories. While there might be a perceived lack of significant dwarf armies in The Lord of the Rings, the dwarves certainly played important roles in the story, particularly in the north. Their actions and contributions, while not as extensively detailed as in The Hobbit, are crucial to the overall narrative of the war against Sauron.

By focusing on the northern battles and the roles of lesser-known dwarves like Gimli, we can appreciate the depth and complexity of Tolkien's world. The tremendous success and influence of The Hobbit led to a natural shift in the focus of the narrative, which is why dwarves take a more prominent role in The Hobbit rather than The Lord of the Rings.