Why J.R.R. Tolkien struggled to name his second volume, The Two Towers

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The title of the second volume of The Lord of the Rings is famously ambiguous. Tolkien himself offered conflicting explanations for which two towers it referenced, ranging from Orthanc and Barad-dûr to Minas Morgul and Orthanc. The mystery reflects the complex, interlaced narrative structure that defines this pivotal fantasy work.

First published in 1954, The Two Towers serves as the second volume of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic. The narrative is distinct from its predecessor, The Fellowship of the Ring, because it abandons a linear progression in favor of an interlaced structure. By splitting the fellowship, Tolkien tracks separate quests simultaneously, which allows him to build suspense through cliffhangers and limited perspectives. This technique forces the reader to experience the same disorientation as the hobbit protagonists, who often struggle to understand their surroundings or the fate of their companions.

The ambiguity of the title stems from Tolkien's own indecision. In an August 1953 letter to Rayner Unwin, he proposed several pairings, including Minas Tirith and Barad-dûr. By January 1954, he expressed unhappiness with the title, noting that identifying it as Orthanc and the Tower of Cirith Ungol would be misleading given the prominence of the conflict between the Dark Tower and Minas Tirith. Ultimately, he identified the pair as Minas Morgul and Orthanc in a note and a cover illustration, depicting the former as a white tower under a waning moon and the latter as a black, three-horned structure.

Scholars like Richard C. West argue that this interlacing creates a sense of interconnectedness that mimics real life. Events that appear casual or coincidental—such as the hobbits meeting the Ents or the Riders of Rohan hunting Orcs—are revealed to be part of a larger, purposeful pattern. While some contemporary critics like Anthony Boucher felt the book demanded too much patience, others, including Donald Barr, praised it as an extraordinary work of excitement and moral warmth. The volume remains a landmark in fantasy, celebrated for its ability to weave heroic romance and myth into a compelling, vivid reality.

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