: If some people wish to rephrase this as an "imperfect symbolism", that will be acceptable, although still not correct. The point is that one cannot be sure of what is and isn't evil simply because black is associated with it. The uncertainties abound in Tolkien's world. Evil is identified by action, not by color.

Is that what you said? Let me quote you from a previous post then:

"Black does not, never has and never will represent evil in LotR"

I must say I agree far more with your most recent statement. You actually said that I'd "totally missed Tolkiens point". I've asked around on messageboards and chat forums and it seems the great majority of readers 'totally miss Tolkiens point' because they also think Tolkien to great extent uses black with evil and white with good.I think rather that the readers are stuck with images Tolkien wanted them to have. Here's what they mention:

Dark tower vs. White tower
Dark lord in a Black land with a Black speech.
White council
Shelobs blackness
Galadriels light
White rider vs. Black captain