GRIMA’S MALICIOUSNESS AND FALSE SOLIDARITY IN TOLKIEN’S NOVEL THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING: DURKHEIM PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This study will scrutinize the excessive ambition and negative solidarity of Grima as a servant of two masters who are the king Theoden and the White Wizard Saruman in Tolkien’s novel The Lord of the Rings. To this end, the novel is analyzed with respect to the concept of negative solidarity according to Durkheim's perspective. According to Durkheim, a few types of solidarity that are negative in which social relations and connections are at the basic rank essential for coexistence. In fact, negative solidarity is a problematic order because it is untrue solidarity and cannot make any kind of integration by itself but rather assumes it. Besides, the solidarity of Grima with the king, Theoden, and Saruman was not real but built on mutual benefit. Saruman was in need of Gríma as an instrument to involve in destroying the king, Theoden, in order to take control over Rohan and Grima was in need of Saruman to marry the woman he wanted and probably even Theoden's kingdom