JRR Tolkien, English poet, academic and philologist, taught at Oxford University. Tolkien, also a modern author of his time, explored social and political ideas in his writings, such as The Hobbit. In it Tolkien explores the Nazi party and its adversaries, linking his experiences during the Second World War as a British soldier in a novel. A novel about one of the toughest and longest battles in the world; the clash between light and darkness for power, dominance and wealth that influences our daily lives. Light and darkness persist in a constant conflict for power. When Thorin and company head towards the misty mountains after receiving nourishment and rest from Elrond. The dwarves find themselves in a difficult situation during a storm. After seeking refuge on the Goblin's "front porch," they become the Goblin's prisoners: "...and push them forward" into the tunnels: "Now there came a glimmer of red light before them...as they stumbled into a great cavern. " Then the dwarves were chained and dragged to the end of the cave where the goblins placed them, and Thorin advanced to be interrogated by the Great Goblin. When the Great Goblin discovered that Thorin was carrying Bite, the Great Goblin flew into a rage and was about to attack Thorin: “…all the lights in the great cave went out and the great fire uttered poof! …those scattered piercing white sparks among the Goblins…burning holes in the Goblins.” Subsequently each goblin fell upon the other due to the blinding smoke, and Gandalf, taking advantage of the situation, quickly approached the Great Goblin: "Suddenly a sword flashed with its own light... right through the Great Goblin." The dwarves heard a proud, quiet voice and Gandalf drove... into the center of the card... shone before him and drew his feet towards it. This light of hope and redemption in the middle of the chamber that smells of greed makes Bilbo want to have it and keep it for himself: "...but he lifted it up, closed his eyes, and put it in his deepest pocket." Later Bilbo grew tired of the greed and violence between light and dark, and so gave the Arkenstone to Bard and the Elves to help them negotiate and end the stalemate, with the dwarves, as quickly as possible. So the world, a place we think of as peaceful and calm, has extreme forces of nature, light and dark, that do not give up fighting against each other. They have been fighting since the beginning and will fight mercilessly until the end of time. There will be a lot of destruction, but it is unstoppable. Light and darkness have their course, and will keep their course. Works Cited The Hobbit