Gollum serves as one of the most intriguing characters in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium. First introduced in Tolkien’s 1937 fantasy novel The Hobbit, he became a central figure as the events of the book’s sequel, The Lord of the Rings, unfolded. While Tolkien didn’t write this character with addiction in mind, many who’ve lived with addiction identify with Gollum’s spiral.
Originally named Sméagol, Gollum began his story near a place called Gladden Fields. There, he was a Stoor, one of the three breeds of Hobbits, and lived with his extended family. One day, when fishing with his cousin, Sméagol discovered the One Ring after his cousin found it in the river. He quickly became fixated on it, killing his cousin so that he could have the Ring for himself.
Over time, the Ring corrupted Sméagol’s mind and body, creating within him a dual personality that came to be known as Gollum. Eventually, the Stoor Hobbits banished Gollum to the Misty Mountains, where his obsession with the Ring grew. One line from the book – “We even forgot our own name” – highlights the all-consuming pull the Ring had on Gollum.
In The Hobbit, after about 400 years of being exiled to the Misty Mountains, Gollum lost the Ring to Bilbo Baggins. He spent the next 90 years looking for it, eventually crossing paths with Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings on their mission to destroy it. Throughout the series, Sméagol/Gollum plays a crucial role as the personas fight for control. Sméagol wants to be helpful and yearns for redemption, while Gollum is motivated by his desire to reclaim the Ring. Ultimately, Gollum does get the Ring back, but in his euphoria, he loses his balance and falls into a fiery chasm, leading to the destruction of both him and the Ring.
The Characteristics of Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings”
By the time the events of The Lord of the Rings took place, Gollum had been in exile with the Ring for hundreds of years. His obsession had stripped away his original features, leaving him physically deformed and mentally unstable. He exhibited a split personality, with Sméagol representing his original, true nature and Gollum embodying the darker character he became as a result of his fixation on the Ring.
Throughout the story, Gollum is torn between his wish to be free from the Ring’s influence and his desire to repossess it. At times, he’s helpful in Frodo’s mission to destroy the Ring, providing advice on how to navigate unfamiliar landscapes, leading them through dangerous territories, and ultimately getting them close to Mount Doom, the only place they can destroy the Ring. Other times, Gollum is cunning and deceitful, sneaking and lying to cause confusion and confrontation and ultimately to take the Ring back.
Parallels Between Gollum’s Behavior and Addiction
J.R.R. Tolkien didn’t set out to personify addiction when he created Gollum. However, many people living in active addiction identify with Gollum’s internal conflict. Even Andy Serkis, the actor who played Gollum in the film adaptations of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, expressed that the elements of addiction informed how he portrayed Gollum.
There are several key ways people see Gollum’s fixation on the Ring as a metaphor for addiction:
- Isolation: For many people, addiction is an isolating experience. Whether it’s due to feeling shame or guilt over excessive alcohol or drug use, fear of judgment, or accompanying mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, those living with active addictions typically have difficulty maintaining social connections. In Gollum’s case, isolation came when his friends and family drove him out. However, his fixation on the Ring and his decision to prioritize his obsession with it over his social group are ultimately what led to his alienation.
- The Impact on Physical Health and Vitality: The books and movies both chronicled the changes in appearance Gollum underwent as his obsession with the Ring grew. After centuries, his lifestyle caused him to become frail and withered, more adjusted to life in a cave than the environment he experienced as Sméagol. This extreme depiction of physical deterioration can mirror the impact certain recreational drugs can have on a person’s appearance, affecting the health and function of their skin, hair and teeth.
- The Shift in Priorities: Perhaps the most significant way Gollum’s obsession with the Ring can exemplify addiction is the character’s shift in priorities. Tolkien characterized the Stoor Hobbits as a close-knit group with strong communal bonds. Despite this, Sméagol killed his cousin so he could take possession of the Ring. From then on, he consistently put his fixation on the Ring over his obligations to his friends and family until his obsession altered him so significantly that they drove him out. Later on, when he meets Frodo and Sam, despite his desire to redeem himself and build social connections, his obsession causes him to be unreliable and duplicitous. This can mirror how those living with active addiction see a shift in their priorities, often putting their need for a substance over physical, emotional and social needs.
Symbolism of the Ring and Its Addiction-like Influence
Those familiar with dependence on drugs or alcohol may see the Ring as a symbol of addiction. First, it exerts a strong, nearly irresistible pull on those who come into contact with it. Even Frodo, the protagonist of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, becomes more obsessed with it the longer he carries it. Over time, the Ring corrupts the person who possesses it, leading to physical and moral deterioration and decay.
The Ring also caused a loss of control in the person carrying it. We see this most clearly in Gollum, who is torn between his hatred for the Ring and his overwhelming desire to possess it. Many people in active addiction identify with this struggle, feeling hatred toward the substance that’s impacting them so significantly, wanting to end their dependence on it, but also feeling a seemingly inescapable drive to continue using it.
Finally, the Ring’s role in ultimately bringing about Gollum’s destruction can symbolize addiction’s devastating effect on a person’s life and relationships. In the end, Gollum put his desire for the Ring before his own safety and sense of self-preservation. For many living with addiction, the destructive nature of addiction has a serious impact on them and those around them, and in extreme cases, it can impact their quality and duration of life.
Gollum’s Journey and Consequences of Addiction
Unfortunately, Gollum’s story doesn’t have a happy ending; in the end, his fixation on the Ring is too strong for him to overcome. After following Frodo and Sam into Mount Doom, where they intend to destroy the Ring, Gollum attacks them in an effort to reclaim the Ring and its power for himself. He succeeds, finally taking the Ring back. However, in his excitement, he dances and gloats only to lose his balance and fall into the chasm below. He and the Ring were destroyed, ending the story for both.
For some, this dramatic conclusion can serve as a cautionary tale of the consequences of addiction. In the end, Gollum’s inability to overcome his obsession with possessing the Ring led to his downfall. Similarly, those who never receive professional help for a drug or alcohol addiction often see their dependence destroy their relationships, health, career and lifestyle goals and quality of life.
Lessons and Reflections on Addiction from Gollum’s Character
Gollum can serve as a symbol of how addiction can impact anyone. In the beginning, Gollum was similar to Frodo and the members of Frodo’s community; he wasn’t born “bad” or broken, but he became something very different than who he originally was as the result of his obsession. Throughout the books and film adaptations, we see Gollum’s internal struggle between his desire for the Ring and his desire for change. Ultimately, Gollum never developed the tools he needed to overcome his “addiction,” and it led to his destruction.
For many people living with active addiction, this internal war can feel familiar, the pull of substances such as alcohol and recreational drugs can feel just as strong as what Gollum experienced. Fortunately, a life of sobriety is possible. While overcoming addiction while in isolation can feel nearly impossible, connecting with mental health professionals who understand the nature of addiction and the path to recovery can give those seeking help the support and guidance they need. To learn about the addiction programs at Restore Mental Health, contact us today.
