For the last 300 or 400 pages I have been highlighting, underlining, and turning down pages for things I want to discuss. Now I finally have the book down in the den with me, so I am going to post some of these things in this thread. If you want to discuss any of these ideas, which may, and probably will, touch on other threads, feel free to hop right in!
Beautiful passage: From the chapter entitled "The Great River": Legolas describing the concept of time for the Elves: " 'Nay, time does not tarry ever,' he said; 'but the world moves, and it moves both very swift and very slow. Swift, because they themselves change little, and all else fleets by; it is a grief to them. Slow, because they do not count the running years, not for themselves. The passing seasons are but ripples ever repeated in the long long stream. Yet beneath the Sun all things must wear to an end at last.' "
And for the Elves, of course, their existence in Middle Earth is coming to an end.
Great passage, same chapter: " 'Fear not!' said a strange voice behind him. Frodo turned and saw Strider, and yet not Strider; for the weatherworn Ranger was no longer there. In the stern sat Aragorn, son of Arathorn, proud and erest, guiding the boat with skillful strokes; his hood was cast back, and his dark hair was blowing in the wind, a light was in his eyes: a king returning from exile to his own land."
From the chapter called "The Breaking of the Fellowship"-Frodo has put on the Ring and is coming to the attention of the Dark Lord.
"He heard himself crying out: Never, never! Or was it Verily I come, I come to you? He could not tell. Then as a flash from some other point of power there came to his mind another thought: Take it off! Take it off! Fool, take it off! Take off the Ring!"
This of course is Gandalf, calling out to him through time and space, and an example of Gandalf's powers, even after he has disappeared in the Mines of Moria.
Aragorn says (same chapter) " 'I do not think it is our part to drive him (the Ringbearer) one way or the other. Nor do I think that we should succeed, if we tried. There are other powers at work far stronger.' "
In the chapter entitled "The Palantir" Theoden King says, " 'Strange powers have our enemies, and strange weaknesses! But it has long been said: Oft evil will shall evil mar.' "
From "The Taming of Smeagol":
"It seemed to Frodo that he heard, quite plainly but far off, voices out of the past:
What a pity Bilbo did not stab the vile creature, when he had a chance! Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity and Mercy: not to strike without need.
I do not feel any pity for Gollum. He deserves death.
Deserves death! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some die that deserve life. Can you give that to them? Then be not too eager to deal out death in the name of justice, fearing for your own safety. Even the wise cannot see all ends. Here is that metaphysical idea that the Ring cannot be unmade without Gollum's help, however unwillingly given.
I loved Sam's description of the two halves of Gollum's personality: Slinker and Stinker!
Frodo refers to Gollum as Smeagol, and says, " 'I will trust you once more. Indeed it seems that I must do so, and that it is my fate to receive help from you, where I least looked for it, and your fate to help me whom you long pursued with evil purpose.' "
Frodo says that he was told by Elrond that he should find friendship along the way, secret and unlooked for. He had found and received help from Faramir, and he says that "To have found it turns evil to great good."
Sam's devotion to Frodo is touchingly revealed after he thinks that Frodo has been killed by Shelob, and he knows that he must carry of the quest, but cannot bear to leave Frodo behind, and "He knelt and held Frods's hand and could not release it.'
The Macbeth-like prediction that the King of the Nazguls cannot be slain by any man. He is then slain by Eowyn, a woman dressed in man's garb.
Well, I didn't mean for this to be so long, but I have other things. They will have to await another time.
ROLL TIDE FOREVER!
[This message has been edited by LTBF (edited May 13, 2001).]
Beautiful passage: From the chapter entitled "The Great River": Legolas describing the concept of time for the Elves: " 'Nay, time does not tarry ever,' he said; 'but the world moves, and it moves both very swift and very slow. Swift, because they themselves change little, and all else fleets by; it is a grief to them. Slow, because they do not count the running years, not for themselves. The passing seasons are but ripples ever repeated in the long long stream. Yet beneath the Sun all things must wear to an end at last.' "
And for the Elves, of course, their existence in Middle Earth is coming to an end.
Great passage, same chapter: " 'Fear not!' said a strange voice behind him. Frodo turned and saw Strider, and yet not Strider; for the weatherworn Ranger was no longer there. In the stern sat Aragorn, son of Arathorn, proud and erest, guiding the boat with skillful strokes; his hood was cast back, and his dark hair was blowing in the wind, a light was in his eyes: a king returning from exile to his own land."
From the chapter called "The Breaking of the Fellowship"-Frodo has put on the Ring and is coming to the attention of the Dark Lord.
"He heard himself crying out: Never, never! Or was it Verily I come, I come to you? He could not tell. Then as a flash from some other point of power there came to his mind another thought: Take it off! Take it off! Fool, take it off! Take off the Ring!"
This of course is Gandalf, calling out to him through time and space, and an example of Gandalf's powers, even after he has disappeared in the Mines of Moria.
Aragorn says (same chapter) " 'I do not think it is our part to drive him (the Ringbearer) one way or the other. Nor do I think that we should succeed, if we tried. There are other powers at work far stronger.' "
In the chapter entitled "The Palantir" Theoden King says, " 'Strange powers have our enemies, and strange weaknesses! But it has long been said: Oft evil will shall evil mar.' "
From "The Taming of Smeagol":
"It seemed to Frodo that he heard, quite plainly but far off, voices out of the past:
What a pity Bilbo did not stab the vile creature, when he had a chance! Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity and Mercy: not to strike without need.
I do not feel any pity for Gollum. He deserves death.
Deserves death! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some die that deserve life. Can you give that to them? Then be not too eager to deal out death in the name of justice, fearing for your own safety. Even the wise cannot see all ends. Here is that metaphysical idea that the Ring cannot be unmade without Gollum's help, however unwillingly given.
I loved Sam's description of the two halves of Gollum's personality: Slinker and Stinker!
Frodo refers to Gollum as Smeagol, and says, " 'I will trust you once more. Indeed it seems that I must do so, and that it is my fate to receive help from you, where I least looked for it, and your fate to help me whom you long pursued with evil purpose.' "
Frodo says that he was told by Elrond that he should find friendship along the way, secret and unlooked for. He had found and received help from Faramir, and he says that "To have found it turns evil to great good."
Sam's devotion to Frodo is touchingly revealed after he thinks that Frodo has been killed by Shelob, and he knows that he must carry of the quest, but cannot bear to leave Frodo behind, and "He knelt and held Frods's hand and could not release it.'
The Macbeth-like prediction that the King of the Nazguls cannot be slain by any man. He is then slain by Eowyn, a woman dressed in man's garb.
Well, I didn't mean for this to be so long, but I have other things. They will have to await another time.
ROLL TIDE FOREVER!
[This message has been edited by LTBF (edited May 13, 2001).]
