The Lord of the Rings - A General Discussion Thread

Merry · Post by **Merry** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:25 pm

I think we kind of lost some energy for these chapter discussions, Kirill. But we can open another one if folks are interested.

Kirill Leonov · Post by **Kirill Leonov** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:58 pm

*is interested*

Riv Res · Post by **Riv Res** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:03 pm

Kirill and Iolanthe, I have added the chapter, The Breaking of the Fellowship. We had gotten that far in our previous discussions and it seems a good place to start our discussion of The Two Towers in general.

Iolanthe · Post by **Iolanthe** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 4:31 pm

We were going through one chapter at a time, Kirill, progressing gradually through the book.

Kirill Leonov · Post by **Kirill Leonov** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:39 am

Ah, I see. I thought you were just being FotR-centric.

Iolanthe · Post by **Iolanthe** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:59 pm

Nope

. Just very, very slow in an entish unhasty fashion.

Merry · Post by **Merry** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:50 pm

(There's an interesting poll at theonering.net about which element from book LOTR that we would have liked to have seen in movie LOTR. I know we don't discuss the movies here, which is why I'm whispering, but it's an interesting thing to think about!)

Riv Res · Post by **Riv Res** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 12:56 am

Merry, the obvious for me would be anything having to do with Aragorn...

The Grey Company

The friendship of Aragorn and Eomer

Their meeting on the Pelennor

The passing of Erech and the battle at Pelargir

The Field of Cormallen

(of course!!) The complete House of Healing

Just for starters...

Lindariel · Post by **Lindariel** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:13 am

I agree wholeheartedly with your list, Riv, and would also add Tom Bombadil and Goldberry, the Scouring of the Shire, and a proper representation of Faramir's encounter with Frodo and Sam (no silly march to Osgiliath!).

Merry · Post by **Merry** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 4:53 am

Funny, RR, none of your Aragorn events are listed at TOR.net.

To me, the Field of Cormallen is the eucatastrophe of the story, and so its absence is grievous. I think all of your suggestions are possibilities at TOR.net, Lindariel. The last time I looked, the Scouring of the Shire was winning.

Riv Res · Post by **Riv Res** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 4:53 am

Lindariel, wouldn't you just love to see that whole scene and conversation play out between Faramir, Frodo, and Sam on their way to Henneth Anun, and once they get there? Faramir interrogating Frodo...Sam coming to his defense?

"Maybe, maybe you discern from far away the air of Númenor."

Is their a line so fair in all of Tolkien?

Lindariel · Post by **Lindariel** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 8:40 pm

Oh Riv, I do love that line, but I think I can top it:

I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend: the city of the Men of Numenor; and I would have her loved for her memory, her ancientry, her beauty, and her present wisdom. Not feared, save as men may fear the dignity of a man, old and wise.

[THUD!] THAT is when I fell in love with Faramir and realized that Tolkien had given me not one, but TWO extraordinary men to adore -- Aragorn and Faramir.

That quote ranks right up there with the following one from Aragorn in the Houses of Healing:

Few other griefs amid the ill chances of this world have more bitterness and shame for a man's heart than to behold the love of a lady so fair and brave that cannot be returned.

[THUD! again] I felt cheated, I tell you, CHEATED, when PJ & Co. did not have the grace to include these two lovely passages in the movie. How hard could it have been? Get rid of the stupid, pointless trek to Osgiliath and the completely non-canonical encounter between Frodo and the Nazgul, and give us Ithilien and Henneth Annun as it was originally conceived. Eliminate some of the endless Battle of the Pelennor Fields and give us a true account of what happened in the Houses of Healing.

Merry · Post by **Merry** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:44 pm

Demographics, my friends, demographics: they were making movies for the people who most make the decisions to go to movies, young men. The middle-aged, well-read female audience is kind of low on the list, I would imagine.

Riv Res · Post by **Riv Res** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:21 am

I think you have nailed it Merry.

But...I also think we may need a thread here at MeJ for our most beloved quotes from Tolkien's LOTR.

marbretherese · Post by **marbretherese** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:27 pm

Yes please!!!