Posted on 03/14/2002 5:07:26 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
This is a continuation of the infamous thread New Zealander Builds Hobbit Hole originally posted on January 26, 2001 by John Farson, who at the time undoubtedly thought he had found a rather obscure article that would elicit a few replies and die out. Without knowing it, he became the founder of the Hobbit Hole. For reasons incomprehensible to some, the thread grew to over 4100 replies. It became the place for hobbits and friends of hobbits to chit chat and share LoTR news and views, hang out, and talk amongst ourselves in the comfort of familiar surroundings.
In keeping with the new posting guidelines, the thread idea is continuing here, as will the Green Dragon Inn, our more structured spin-off thread, as soon as we figure out how to move all the good discussion that has been had there. As for the Hobbit Hole, we will just start fresh, bringing only a few mathoms such as the picture above with us to make it feel like home, and perhaps a walk down memory lane:
Our discussion has been light:
It very well may be that a thread named "New Zealander builds Hobbit hole" will end up being the longest Tolkien thread of them all, with some of the best heartfelt content... Sorry John, but I would have rather it had been one with a more distinguished title!… post 252 - HairOfTheDog
However, I can still celebrate, with quiet dignity, the fact that what started as a laugh about some wacko in New Zealand has mutated and grown into a multifaceted discussion of the art, literature, and philosophy that is Tolkien. And now that I've managed to write the most pompous sentence of my entire life, I agree, Rosie… post 506 - JenB
Hah! I was number 1000!! (Elvish victory dance... wait, no; that would be too flitty) … post 1001 - BibChr
Real men don't have to be afraid of being flitty! Go for it. – post 1011 – HairOfTheDog
Seventeen years to research one mystical object seems a bit excessive… post 1007 - JenB
Okay...who's the wise guy who didn't renew Gandalf's research grant?… post 1024 – Overtaxed
To the very philosophical:
…Judas Iscariot obviously was a good man, or he wouldn't have been chosen to be one of the Apostles. He loved Jesus, like all of the Apostles, but he betrayed him. Yet without his betrayal, the Passion and Crucifixion would never have occurred, and mankind would not have been redeemed. So without his self-destruction infinite good would not have been accomplished. I certainly do not mean this to be irreverant but it seems to me that this describes the character of Gollum, in the scenes so movingly portrayed above… Lucius Cornelius Sulla
To fun but heartfelt debates about the integrity and worth of some of the characters…
…Anyone else notice how Boromir treats the hobbits? He's very fond of them but he seems to think of them as children - ruffling Frodo's hair, calls them all 'little ones'. He likes them, but I don't think he really respects them… post 1536 - JenB
Yes... Tolkien told us not to trust Boromir right off the bat when he began to laugh at Bilbo, until he realized that the Council obviously held this hobbit in high esteem. What a pompous dolt… post 1538 - HairOfTheDog
…I think almost every fault of his can be traced directly back to his blindness to anything spiritual or unseen. He considers the halflings as children, because that is what they look like. He considers the only hope of the ring to be in taking it and using it for a victory in the physical realm. He cannot see what the hobbits are truly made of, he cannot see the unseen hope of what the destruction of the ring might mean--the destruction of Sauron himself, and he cannot see the unseen danger that lies in the use of the ring itself… I just feel sorry for Boromir--he is like a blind but honorable man, trying to take the right path on the road but missing the right path entirely because he simply cannot see it… post 1548 - Penny1
Boromir isn't a jerk, he's a jock… post 2401 – Overtaxed
-----------------------------------------
Oh, I think by the time Frodo reaches the Cracks, he's not even himself anymore! I think he's not only on the brink of a dangerous place physically, he's on the brink of losing himself completely during the exchange with Gollum. But for some reason, the take-over isn't complete till he actually has to throw the Ring in. The person speaking to Gollum is not Frodo, but the "Wheel of Fire" that Sam sees. After the Ring is destroyed, Frodo not only comes back to himself, but comes back with the unbearable (to him) knowledge of what it's like to be completely without compassion. I think that's why it's so important to him to be compassionate in the Shire… post 2506 - 2Jedismom
…Regarding Frodo's compassion... it's a little too much at the end. Even Merry tells him that he's going to have to quit being so darn nice. But you're right. He's learned a lesson about evil that very few ever learn since it wasn't an external lesson but an internal one. (Those kinds of lessons have the greatest impact) Not only did he totally succumb to it, but he was rather ruthless to my little Smeagol… post 2516 - carton253
Well that Frodo was a big mean bully! (to Smeagol)… post 2519 – Overtaxed
So as you can see, everything JRR Tolkien (and Peter Jackson) is welcome here in our New Row, our soon-to-be familiar New Hobbit Hole…; philosophy, opinion, good talk and frequent silliness.
I thought that was a very interesting dramatic choice to make. I think you're daughter is right, it's definitely that Frodo is slowly becoming a wraith himself. In fact, the most dramatic Frodo-screeching moment comes just after Aragorn says, "He's passing into the shadow world...he'll soon become a wraith like them." The wraiths howl and screech, and he sort-of screeches in response. Perhaps Frodo's answering screech added a little extra impetus to Aragorn and Sam looking for the athelas plant--it was pretty scary that Aragorn left them a bit defenseless at that moment while he went off looking for the herb. It brings out just how perilous Frodo's situation really was, that worse than being killed or injured by the Nazgul that lurked seemingly all around them would be losing Frodo to that shadow world--losing his very soul.
I think the same connection is illustrated when Frodo almost dies after the Nazgul are "drowned." It's almost as if he drowns himself--it really brings out that connection that he has with them, and it's quite frightening. I have a feeling this connection will come back in at least the final movie if not TTT, it will be interesting to see how they handle that.
Some of my favorite character/acting moments happen when the person isn't saying a word.
However... I have come out of LotR with red-rimmed eyes, crying for a character who I don't care for that much and am more likely to accuse than to praise. I've wept for Gandalf, even though I know the story inside out. And Sam's devotion to Frodo leaves me crying almost every time.
That's what I call a movie that deserves Oscar nominations, acclaim, and all my spare cash. Wonder whether there's a chance of seeing it this week?
Hehehe...there's always a chance...where there's a will there's a way. ;)
I CAN'T WAIT till the DVD comes out and we can all watch it and chat online together!!!!
Ohh, our DVD night is gonna be so fun. We have to decide, though, watch the short version or wait for the expanded director's cut?
But then, I'm certainly not the most patient person on the planet either. Even if you don't want to buy the theatrical version, those who don't buy it could still rent it.
:)
I missed chatting with everyone too! I feel like I missed all kinds of good conversation, but I did have fun watching my nephew play in the snow so I guess it's a fair trade. ;) Glad to be back though, will we be chatting tonight?
Okay, first of all, I have to get a DVD player.
Hopefully, I can get one around July.
Only if one has a 'naughty' mind, heh, heh!
I'm glad to know I didn't miss anything LotR-related.
Hey - Jen - That pic is back up - scroll up!
Yes McFadden's playing of The Bruce, someone who wants to do right, but is sent by his twisted father (what an evil man), down a path of betrayal, but is forgiven, and eventually redeems himself, William Wallace, and Scotland in the final scene is spellbinding.
Awfully nice to have you back!
One of my favorite parts is a very small one; the very first close-up of Frodo's face, as Gandalf is arriving. Just the total innocence & the shine of youth; which of course dims as the movie progresses. But that first shot of him is precious.
I can't wait for Sunday night; I NEVER watch the Academy Awards but I will this year! Can't wait to hear Enya sing "May it Be". I'm listening to it now.:)
I have been thinking about you... I hope you and your husband are doing as well as can be.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.