The Heavenly and the Twisted: Understanding Tolkien’s Elves, Orcs, and the Symbolism of Good and Evil

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS Priest

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is more than just a masterfully crafted fantasy epic; it is a profound allegory for good and evil, featuring an intricate spiritual framework that speaks to universal themes of temptation, corruption, and redemption. Through the portrayal of Elves and Orcs, Tolkien invites readers to consider the eternal battle between angels and demons, and the symbolism of twisted beings who, though originally created in purity, fall into darkness. The Elves, as Tolkien envisioned them, represent angels, embodying grace, wisdom, and beauty, while the Orcs serve as their twisted counterparts—demons, corrupted by dark forces, just as angels can fall to evil.

Tolkien’s Elves are the closest beings to divinity in Middle-earth. They are ethereal, long-lived, and exhibit an inherent connection to the natural world. Much like angels in Christian theology, they are portrayed as beings of light, beauty, and purity. The Elves' great wisdom, their understanding of time, and their resistance to the corrupting influences of the world parallel the nature of heavenly beings. Just as angels, according to Christian tradition, exist to serve God’s divine will and bring goodness to the world, Elves are the caretakers and protectors of Middle-earth. Their immortal souls are in harmony with the divine order, and they strive to preserve beauty and balance in the world. Their battle is not one of conquest, but of preservation—an effort to hold the evil forces at bay.

In contrast, Orcs, the enemies of the Elves and all free peoples of Middle-earth, are a clear representation of demons. Tolkien introduces Orcs as twisted, grotesque beings, corrupted by the influence of Morgoth, the great antagonist of the First Age. Orcs were once Elves, according to Tolkien’s writings, but they were subverted and twisted into perverse forms by Morgoth’s dark power. This transformation mirrors the Christian theological concept of fallen angels—beings created in beauty and goodness, but who, due to pride and rebellion, fell into darkness. The Orcs, in their monstrosity, serve as a warning about the consequences of corruption and the distortion of God’s original design.

The demonic nature of Orcs becomes more evident when we consider their behavior: they are chaotic, filled with hatred, and driven by destruction. This mirrors the role of demons in Christian theology, who seek to spread sin and corruption. The Orcs' physical deformities and their violent, destructive tendencies symbolize the degradation of the soul when it turns away from the divine. They are the antithesis of the Elves—creatures not of light, but of shadow.

At the heart of the conflict in The Lord of the Rings is the struggle against Sauron, the Dark Lord who serves as the embodiment of evil in the world. Sauron’s quest for domination reflects the biblical story of Lucifer’s rebellion against God. Like Lucifer, Sauron was once a great being, a servant of the Valar, but he fell due to his pride and desire for power. He became an agent of corruption and control, much like the fallen angel Lucifer, whose name itself means "light-bringer," but who turned to darkness, desiring to overthrow God’s kingdom.

Morgoth, the first and greatest of the fallen Valar, represents the ultimate Satanic figure. His rebellion against the supreme being, Eru Ilúvatar, mirrors Lucifer’s rebellion in Christian tradition. Morgoth’s desire to create life and bring about his vision of order, in defiance of the divine plan, is analogous to Satan’s desire to usurp God’s throne. Morgoth’s influence taints all of Middle-earth, leading to the creation of Orcs, dragons, and other corrupted beings. This portrayal of Morgoth as a figure of ultimate evil is Tolkien’s way of illustrating the power of Satan’s temptation to turn good into evil and to destroy all that is beautiful and divine.

In Tolkien’s world, the conflict between Elves and Orcs, and the larger battle against Sauron, are symbolic of the eternal struggle between good and evil. The Elves, like angels, represent purity, beauty, and the will of the divine, while the Orcs embody the twisted, fallen nature of demonic forces. Sauron, Morgoth, and the Balrog represent Satan, the fallen angel who seeks to bring about the destruction of all that is good. This framework reflects Tolkien’s Christian worldview, where the fallen angels (like Satan) use their influence to corrupt humanity, but the ultimate victory belongs to those who resist the darkness and remain faithful to the light.

Tolkien's narrative serves as a reminder that even the most pure beings can be corrupted, and that the forces of evil are constantly at work to twist and distort what is good. However, it also offers a hopeful message—that through courage, wisdom, and fidelity to divine principles, good can ultimately triumph over evil. The purity of the Elves stands in stark contrast to the corruption of the Orcs, reminding us of the importance of remaining true to the light and resisting the darkness that seeks to twist and pervert our souls.

Citations:

• Tolkien, J.R.R. The Silmarillion. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1977.
• Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1954-1955.
• László, Ervin. The Hidden History of the Elves. Quest Books, 2009.