Posted on 07/26/2002 11:29:06 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog
Welcome to The Green Dragon Inn
This is a chapter discussion of The Two Towers, volume two of the Lord of the Rings. It is a continuation of our discussion of Lord of the Rings that started with Fellowship of the Ring and finished a few weeks back. FoTR discussion thread.
We will cover one section of the book per week. Sometimes short, related chapters may be combined, and the process may evolve as we go to keep everybody happy! If you are joining late, jump right in, but please stick to the chapter currently being discussed. We should be a bit careful with topic and spoilers (especially if we are joined by some reading for the first time) but feel free to draw lines related to other events in the story. If you do misbehave too much you will be sent to Took's Corner. As always, if you want to chit-chat or share other news… I would probably be best to post that in The Hobbit Hole thread.
It is OK this time to share images from the Two Towers (that illustrate the current chapter of course!) They are fun snapshots that show our story coming to life. Use your head, we don't want to slow down the thread too much, but most of us love a few pics in the thread.
Every week I will ping you to the new chapter or section …. Let me know if you would like to be on - or off - this list. I will serve as the Thain of the list.
So lets read, listen and become inspired by the many aspects of The Lord of the Rings that touch us deeply and reconnect us to the values we aspire to. Many great discussions have already been had, and I hope that this thread will produce even more. Many FReepers have wonderful things to say about LoTR, whether the fantasy reconnects them with their faith, with their relationships with friends and family, or simply illustrates the splendor of great acts of heroism and sacrifice in the constant battle of virtue versus corruption.
Besides, we Tolkien fans need something to keep us busy while we wait for the film to come out December 19. This thread will adjust the schedule as necessary to be finished before the film comes out!
I would just like to second Pippen's thought - Good old Merry!
I think our hobbits have grown quite a bit since they left the Shire. I bet before they started out on this grand adventure that Merry never thought he would even be able hold his ground before an orc, never mind relieving them of several of their various extremities.
I'm with you on this! I love this part of the book...it's really a time for the Halflings to shine. I dearly hope they put something of this in the movie!!
Don't you think they've set us up for that? I mean, they were such lovable goofs at the beginning, but at the end they risk their lives so that Frodo can get away.
Well, that goes without saying. ;^)
Where ya' been? We miss you over at the HH.
anyway, being the Took lovers we are, we agreed that this was where Pippin and Merry really began to exert themselves as characters. As someone pointed out earlier, its a long time before we from Frodo and Sam...and I remember when I first read it, I was skipping all over the book trying to figure out what happened to the Ringbearer...I was worried about him too!!...that I think is one of the 'negative' things about reading JRRT's book...it made me read out of order.
Someone on our playgroup forum asked why it was that Tolkien chose PIPPIN's point of view in the chapter rather than Merry's. We never really came to a definitive conclusion, except maybe to perhaps redeem the established 'trouble-maker' of the group as doing a bit of growing up, since they were separated from ones who were nobler, stronger, and had more at stake in the Journey.
This is what I think. I agree with this. Just goes to show once again Tolkien's unbelievable ability to take a potentially insignificant character and shine them with brilliant light. Pippin shows the character of all Hobbits in this part of the book. That underlying level of strength, courage and determination. An indomitable spirit.
To show the "clueless" "getting the clue"?
Pippin in old age would be more the affable and absentminded professor than a doddering fool. He did the foolishness in his youth, which is as it should be.
Esgaroth playfully and goodnaturedly and will all liking to her friend Overtaxed sticks her tongue at him/her.
So there! LOL!!
ROFL!!
now who's being absentminded?????
I was working from the perspective that "cluelessness" is more a lack of awareness rather than intelligence. It's like "not getting it" or "not seeing the big picture" and "getting a clue" is coming to understand the realities of the situation. In my mind a "clueless" person has the intelligence to understand, he or she is just a bit late to the party. :)
GOTCHA, I see what you mean now. :D :D (wish I had clever little smilies to enter here!!)
late to the party
Who?! Pippin?????????!!! LOL
Must've had really good agents.
Who?! Pippin?????????!!!
Out gathering mushrooms, no doubt. :)
It's a very important, yet little discussed aspect. Merry and Pippin best exemplify this -- for they even grew in physical stature, not just in the development of confidence and bravery.
Oh that's just precious.
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