The Two Towers

by

It’s seldom that we ponder, after the fact, how challenging it might have been to choose a title for timeless works of literature, such as J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic The Lord of the Rings, which has become a cornerstone of the fantasy genre and served as an inspiration for countless authors creating their own fantasy realms. In contrast to contemporary writers who often resort to the overused and formulaic naming convention of “A [Noun] of [Blank] and [Blank]“, The Lord of the Rings appears surprisingly succinct.

During one of my explorations into Tolkien’s additional works, I stumbled upon something intriguing: The author put a great deal of thought into deciding the titles for each book in “The Lord of the Rings” series. A significant aspect of this deliberation stemmed from disagreements with his publishers over how many volumes to divide the epic into. However, an even larger part was due to his challenges in finding titles that accurately captured the essence of each section, and it was “The Two Towers” that proved to be the most difficult to title.

Tolkien’s Publisher Wanted To Separate LOTR Into 3 Books & Had The Final Say On Titles

Tolkien Had Several Working Titles For A 6-Book Series

The primary debate over the titles of “The Lord of the Rings” centered around the number of volumes. J.R.R. Tolkien had composed the story as a six-part series and also aimed for “The Silmarillion” to be published concurrently, as it contained the comprehensive background knowledge woven into the epic tale.

In response to the immense length of his work, Tolkien’s publisher, Allen & Unwin, firmly declined publishing it as a whole and instead proposed dividing “Lord of the Rings” into three books. Each book would then consist of two smaller sections. This is where the discussion about titles ensued. Not only was Tolkien finding it challenging to name each of the six parts, but he also desired for the entire series to be titled as “The Lord of the Rings“.

Working Titles of The Lord of the Rings
Book Title (March 1953) Volume First Title (March 1953) Revised Title (August 1953)
1 The Ring Sets Out 1 The Shadow Grows The Return of the Shadow
2 The Ring Goes South
3 The Treason of Isengard 2 The Ring in the Shadow The Shadow Lengthens
4 The Ring Goes East
5 The War of the Ring 3 The War of the Ring The Return of the King
6 The End of the Third Age

In the end, Tolkien and his publishers came to an agreement regarding the titles, which are familiar to today’s audiences. However, it was a close call; Tolkien himself wavered at the last minute, favoring the third volume being called “The War of the Ring” over “The Return of the King” (although he conceded to his publishers’ choice there), and remained uncertain about the title of the middle volume.

J.R.R. Tolkien Wasn’t A Fan Of The Two Towers’ Title Because It Was “Misleading”

Which Two Towers Is He Talking About?

As a dedicated movie reviewer, let me share my thoughts on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic trilogy, “The Lord of the Rings.” Contrary to popular belief, the author himself was never completely content with the title of the second book, “The Two Towers.” This dissatisfaction stemmed from the fact that the title was rather ambiguous, a quality that Tolkien found quite displeasing, much like allegories.

You see, throughout this magnificent tale, there are more than just two towers significant to the narrative: Minas Tirith, the city where hope resides; Isengard, Saruman’s stronghold; Cirith Ungol, a watchtower of great importance; and Barad-dûr, Sauron’s imposing fortress. In 1954, Tolkien voiced his concerns to his publisher, expressing his disapproval of such an enigmatic title that might mislead readers unfamiliar with the intricate details of his masterpiece.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I can’t help but express my dissatisfaction regarding the title “The Two Towers.” If this name indeed hints at Volume II, it should undoubtedly reference Orthanc and the Tower of Cirith Ungol. However, the constant emphasis on the fundamental contrast between the Dark Tower and Minas Tirith feels quite misleading in this context.

In truth, there is no genuine connection linking Books III and IV when they are presented as a standalone volume. The title seems to suggest a continuity that doesn’t fully exist within these pages.

For some time now, this point has been a source of uncertainty for the author. In a letter to Unwin only a few months prior (Letter 140, August 17, 1953), he expressed: “The Two Towers… can remain ambiguous. It could symbolize Isengard and Barad-dûr, or Minas Tirith and [Barad-dûr]; or Isengard and Cirith Ungol, ” as the four locations indeed held contrasting roles throughout the book’s narrative, leading to a confusing visual metaphor.

Tolkien Had A Point About The Two Towers’ Name, But I Don’t Love His Original Choice Either

Everything Obviously Worked Out For The Best With LOTR

The ambiguity in the title “The Two Towers” has been incredibly frustrating, with many discussions on Reddit and scholarly debates over the years trying to determine which towers are being referred to. Given J.R.R. Tolkien’s aversion to vagueness as a writer, it’s not surprising that he spent several months in 1953 agonizing over the title choice and later continued to be unhappy with it.

It’s quite possible that alternative titles for the central part of “The Lord of the Rings” would have left us feeling just as unfulfilled. Tolkien initially considered “The Ring in the Shadow” and “The Shadow Lengthens,” but these options were somewhat vague and lacked a certain special quality. In particular, “The Shadow Lengthens” seems to miss the growing tension that is central to the story’s middle act. Perhaps there was a more fitting title for “The Two Towers,” but I, for one, am content with the title we have now.

Read More

2025-04-19 16:31