Tolkien's View of Good vs. Evil

We've seen a recurring theme in Tolkien's writing of evil being a corrupted and fallen good.  This view of evil is definitely cemented in the final chapters of The Lord of The Rings.   Though Gandalf is not perfect and all knowing, having him undergo a 'resurrection' and transformation into a white wizard gives him an almost god-like characterization.  In addition, the fact that he is dressed in white contrasts him with the darkness caused by forces of evil automatically points to him being a symbol of purity and goodness.  In the opening of The Field of Cormallen, it is mentioned that "Upon the hill-top stood Gandalf, and he was white and cold and no shadow fell on him"(948).  The image of a white figure high up, untouched by shadows is a complete contrast from those under the rule f Sauron, who dwell on or underground and in constant shadows.  I think this definitely solidifies Gandalf a symbol of pure goodness, while Sauron is pure, corrupted evil.

Then, as the ring is destroyed, Sauron's final moments are revealed: "there rose a huge shape of shadow, impenetrable, lightning-crowned, filling all the sky.  Enormous it reared above the world, and stretched out towards them a vast threatening hand, terrible but imponent: for even as it leaned over them, a great wind took it, and it was all blown away"(949).  Evil is consuming, scary, and dark.  But it is also temporary, and not as powerful as it might seem to be.  Having the 'hand' of Sauron  blown away like nothing more than a cloud really drives home Tolkien's view of evil.  It is never enough to consume good forever, and when evil falls, goodness remains strong.  The shadow passes and the sky becomes bright again.

We see this same theme with the death of Saruman.  "about the body of Saruman a grey mist gathered, and rising slowly to a great height like smoke from a fire, as a shrouded figure it looked over the Hill.  For a moment it wavered, looking to the west; but out of the west came a cold wind, and it bent away, and with a sigh dissolved into nothing"(1020).  Not only is there a parallel between the wind blowing away a shadow, but also the mention of the hilltop.  Gandalf stands his ground upon the hill, while the mist from Saruman is blown away forever as he attempts to do so. Evil and those who let it consume them cannot outlast the goodness of the world, and their rise of power will not be permanent.   Wind is enough to take them away forever.

This imagery that Tolkien uses to communicate his personal views of good vs. evil are extremely compelling.  These scenes are easy to visualize, and really drive home the delicacy of the illusion of a lasting evil, vs a solid, bright influence of good.