4. Loss of Innocence
The transformation of hobbits from innocent beings to seasoned veterans mirrors the experiences of youths thrust into the horrors of World War I. Their journey from the peaceful Shire to the battlefields of Middle-earth reflects a loss of innocence, akin to the abrupt and traumatic maturation of young soldiers during the war. This theme is explored in the Literary Hub article “On War: Tolkien’s Lost Generation and the Scourging of the Shire,” which delves into the parallels between Tolkien’s narratives and the experiences of the Lost Generation (lithub.com).
