What is the Scouring of the Shire?

The Scouring of the Shire is an epilogue chapter in the final book of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings. It describes the events that take place in the Shire, the homeland of the hobbits, after the defeat of the Dark Lord Sauron.

At the end of the War of the Ring, Frodo and his companions return to the Shire to find that it has been taken over by a gang of ruffians, led by the wizard Saruman. With the help of their fellow hobbits, Frodo and his friends lead a rebellion against the invaders. The resulting conflict, known as the Scouring of the Shire, is a microcosm of the larger war that has just ended.

The Scouring of the Shire is significant because it shows that even small, seemingly insignificant actions can have great consequences. The hobbits' struggle to reclaim their home highlights the themes of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice that run throughout the Lord of the Rings trilogy.