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Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 2:06 pm
by Lindariel
Merry wrote:I've read that, when asked later on in life, if any of his writing still moved him, Tolkien named that passage, Lindariel.
I've read that too, Merry. I remember the first time I read that passage, I put the book down and just cried like a baby. Gollum just creeped me out from the very beginning. Beginning in Moria, he just loomed over the story -- a hidden menace. When Frodo took him on as a guide, I was completely with Sam -- don't trust him! Something awful will happen, I just KNOW it! And then I read this passage, and just wept, thinking, "Darn it all! This man has me crying over GOLLUM!"
I think Tolkien's ability to make us all feel creeped out, horrified, and distrustful of Gollum, and then through the strange, almost beautiful relationship he creates between Frodo and Smeagol/Gollum, to draw us into and make us feel the Pity of Bilbo, which saved the world, is nothing short of miraculous.
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 4:14 pm
by Merry
Well said!
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:26 pm
by Lindariel
Here's another passage that took my breath away when I first read it -- mostly because I thought Tolkien was indicating that Aragorn would shortly die a tragic and heroic death! I confess after reading this passage that I immediately peeked ahead into ROTK, just to make sure Aragorn was going to stick around. Didn't think I could bear to read the rest of the book if he died!
From "Lothlorien" in FOTR:
At the hill's foot Frodo found Aragorn, standing still and silent as a tree; but in his hand was a small golden bloom of elanor, and a light was in his eyes. He was wrapped in some fair memory: and as Frodo looked at him he knew that he beheld things as they once had been in this same place. For the grim years were removed from the face of Aragorn, and he seemed clothed in white, a young lord tall and fair; and he spoke words in the Elvish tongue to one whom Frodo could not see. Arwen vanimelda namarie! he said, and then he drew a breath, and returning out of his thought he looked at Frodo and smiled.
"Here is the heart of Elvendom on earth," he said, "and here my heart dwells ever, unless there be a light beyond the dark roads that we still must tread, you and I. Come with me!" And taking Frodo's hand in his, he left the hill of Cerin Amroth and came there never again as living man.
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:37 am
by Merry
I can't believe you peeked!
Here's one of my favorites:
And all the host laughed and wept, and in the midst of their merriment and tears the clear voice of the minstrel rose like silver and gold, and all men were hushed. And he sang to them, now in the Elven-tongue, now in the speech of the West, until their hearts, wounded with sweet words, overflowed, and their joy was like swords, and they passed in thought out to regions where pain and delight flow together and tears are the very wine of blessedness.
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 2:53 pm
by Lindariel
Oh, yes Merry! I love that one too! But you have to pair it with this:
"Lo! lords and knights and men of valour unashamed, kings and princes, and fair people of Gondor, and Riders of Rohan, and ye sons of Elrond, and Dunedain of the North, and Elf and Dwarf, and great-hearts of the Shire, and all free folk of the West, now listen to my lay. For I will sing to you of Frodo of the Nine Fingers and the Ring of Doom."
And when Sam heard that he laughed aloud for sheer delight, and he stood up and cried: "O great glory and splendour! And all my wishes have come true!" And then he wept.
How I dearly, dearly love Sam! Almost every morsel that comes out of his mouth is pure gold, especially when he waxes poetic and then claims that he is incapable of expressing himself adequately (his description to Faramir of Galadriel, which I cited earlier in this thread, is particularly delightful)!
P.S. OF COURSE, I peeked, Merry! I was 15 years old, desperately in love with Aragorn, and couldn't bear the thought of him dying before his time. I was VERY careful about the peeking, though. Just chose a chapter I thought would give me a clue and quickly scanned for the word Aragorn to satisfy myself that he was at least still alive closer to the end of the book. Otherwise, I don't think I could have continued to read!
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 4:18 pm
by Merry
I must admit to peeking on other books, Lindariel. But I think I knew (even forty-three years ago!) that I was reading something unique, that it was the journey, and not the destination, and that I could trust the author. Not that I could have put it in those words then!
One of my students has just finished reading LOTR (because I recommended it) and it's interesting to read his attempts at articulating the experience. He knows that everything he has read before and will read after will be measured against this. He knows that it is life-changing. He's sorry that his 'virgin' experience is over!
And he loves Aragorn, too. Shall I invite him here?
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:47 pm
by Iolanthe
Yes please! How wonderful to read the book for the first time and discover what a lifelong treasure it will be.
All the passages quoted above are beautiful, aren't they? Sam laughing with delight, and then crying, joy that can be like a sword, places where pain and delight can be mixed and tears are blessed, the image of Aragorn as a young lord, tall and fair....
Wonderful.
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:10 am
by Meliel
This is one of the funniest quotes I think I've ever seen in LotR. It's hilarious and they use it in the movie, too!
'What are you going to do then?' asked Pippin, undaunted by the wizard's bristling bows.
'Knock on the doors with your head, Peregrin Took,' said Gandalf. 'But if that does not shatter them, and I am allowed a little peace from foolish questions, I will seek for the opening words.'
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:23 am
by Lindariel
That reminds me of another wonderful quote from the disastrous sojourn through Moria.
Gandalf to the Balrog of Moria:
You cannot pass . . . . I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass.
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:34 am
by Meliel
I like that quote too, ma!
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 5:28 am
by Merry
You have really good computer skills, Meliel! (Or can all kids do this these days?)
I like your quote, too--it's funny to see Gandalf at wit's end occasionally! My father used to say things like that sometimes; he'd tell us to go play in the traffic, or something like that. I suppose it would be considered abusive language today, but we knew he was joking and thought it was clever. I wonder if Tolkien's generation had the same speech patterns.
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 9:49 am
by marbretherese
Great quotes, Meriel and LIndariel both! It was the humour in LoTR which first enchanted me and drew me in. Appreciation of the grandeur of the story came later (and I'm still finding out about the depth - long may it continue!!!!)
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 2:12 am
by Meliel
It's a shame that only very few kids I know have read the Lord of the rings series. Most of them just do nothing but watch TV anyway.
I do agree that being introduced to Tolkien young was a great advantage, and it will also be a great advantage to my younger sister too.
I think it will also give us more knowledge of reading and language...unlike Dora the Explorer.
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 12:23 pm
by Iolanthe
It will Meliel - Lord of the Rings is a rich experience on so many levels and as you get older you'll discover that it's a gift that keeps on giving as it always reveals deeper meanings.
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:50 am
by Lindariel
I have thought of another quote I like a great deal.
Treebeard to Galadriel and Celeborn:
It is sad that we should meet only thus at the ending. For the world is changing: I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, and I smell it in the air.