Tolkien was the epitomy of ideolist conservatism, although he was initially embraced by blind-sighted leftists who lacked the wit to understand what he was really about. It's a delight to learn that conservatives are the real Tolkien-lovers and peers. It reinforces my delight in Tolkien's works and helps me to realize why exactly I was so attracted to Tolkien earlier in my life when I discovered him.
- Thank you guys for filling in the last couple of weeks on these chapters! Much as I love Bombadil, we are clearly ready to leave him in the Old Forest now, and get on with our quest!
Good "getting on with it" foreshadowing:
'Old knives are long enough as swords for hobbit-people,' he said. 'Sharp blades are good to have, if Shire-folk go walking, east, south, or far away into dark and danger.' Then he told them that these blades were forged many long years ago by Men of Westernesse: they were foes of the Dark Lord, but they were overcome by the evil king of Carn Dûm in the Land of Angmar.'Few now remember them,' Tom murmured, 'yet still some go wandering, sons of forgotten kings walking in loneliness, guarding from evil things folk that are heedless.'
The hobbits did not understand his words, but as he spoke they had a vision as it were of a great expanse of years behind them, like a vast shadowy plain over which there strode shapes of Men, tall and grim with bright swords, and last came one with a star on his brow. Then the vision faded, and they were back in the sunlit world. It was time to start again. They made ready, packing their bags and lading their ponies. Their new weapons they hung on their leather belts under their jackets, feeling them very awkward, and wondering if they would be of any use. Fighting had not before occurred to any of them as one of the adventures in which their flight would land them.