The Wheel of Fire: An Obsessive-Compulsive Reading of Frodo Baggins

Authors

Andreas J.W. Minshew, Misty Mountains (Utah) Smial of the Tolkien SocietyFollow

Abstract

Although addiction has been the main psychological framework for understanding the Ring’s influence, it does not fully capture Frodo’s inner conflict. This paper argues that an obsessive-compulsive reading accounts for his ego-dystonic relationship with the Ring and his lack of an initial period of using it for pleasure, both of which differentiate his experience from other Ringbearers. This reading, rather than in opposition to addictive or post-traumatic frameworks, can coexist with both to bring added nuance to how readers and scholars understand Frodo’s experience.

Comments

This conference paper was presented at the Pop Culture Association 2025 conference in New Orleans within the Tolkien Studies sector.

Recommended Citation

Minshew, Andreas J.W. (2025) "The Wheel of Fire: An Obsessive-Compulsive Reading of Frodo Baggins," Journal of Tolkien Research: Vol. 21: Iss. 1, Article 8.
Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol21/iss1/8