Posted on 02/15/2002 7:01:31 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
Welcome to The Green Dragon Inn
Approaching The Green Dragon Inn
Hobbiton, in The Shire
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And wither then? I cannot say.
- JRR Tolkien
Politics also goes ever on and on.
This is a place for FReeper Tolkien fans to come and take a break from the impure reality of conservative activism and relax a little with a great story. We (the other co-conspirators and I) would like to study together the writings of Tolkien, beginning together, and discussing as we go through The Lord of the Rings together.
This is a chapter discussion, roughly one chapter per week, with the discussion mostly centered on the books, though of course the movie will be contrasted and compared, and perhaps used to illustrate another interpretation of the story.
When we are ready to move on, someone from the group (maybe me) will ping The Green Dragon List to the new Chapter, but we will continue this one thread until it becomes too cumbersome . Let me know if you would like to be on - or off - this list. I will for now serve as the Thain of the list.
If you are joining late, jump right in, but please stick to the chapter currently being discussed.
Some have loved this story a long time, and some are newly discovering it. If you fit either category, we invite you to join in, but we would like this thread to stay mostly focused on the chapter at hand and keep moving, but at a pace everyone can keep up with No jumping ahead, and no lagging behind! If you have other news to report or wish to discuss something Tolkien in more general terms May we recommend the equally homey Hobbit Hole where my co-conspirators and I frequently have plenty of good talk.
One other request . This thread will get long. In recognition that images slow down the thread for many and take up bandwidth, lets keep the posting of images to a minimum on this thread. If there is a great illustration you wish to share, lets try to use links instead of images wherever possible.
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.
Though it is a work of fiction, we believe the inspiration to be gained can only help us in our larger political goals: to guard and defend our freedom, our culture and our political ideals. May the fellowship and insight gained from this discussion help us to work through the issues that are the basis for our many shared ideals.
Besides, we Tolkien fans* need something to keep us busy during the next two years of waiting for the next two films. If you do not enjoy this story, then please simply leave us be.
*Also known as Geeky Hobbity Weirdos, obsessive fanatics, you name it, we have heard it and we see these names as compliments. In other words: dont act like a troll, or we will distract you with our endless babble until the morning sun turns you to stone.
If LotR really has any sources, outside Tolkien's own imaginations, it would be North-legends. This strain is particularly apparent in Tolkien's elf-legends; I recently read Kalevala and kept wondering if Tolkien had not written this story too!
Oh yes, could I also be added to the list? Thanks!
When reading The Hobbit, I knew the book worked on a much deeper level when not only Thorin died, but Fili and Kili also. I remember saying outloud... "Not Fili and Kili..." And crying... then laughing at myself for crying over dwarves!
Tolkien also has a wicked wit... and not only do his characters say funny things, but the situations they find themselves in are funny. Humor bypasses the head and goes straight to the heart.
At first, I didn't like the idea that Bilbo was going away. I didn't know if I would like this Frodo... but by giving Frodo a colorful supporting cast... causing us to like them and showing us Frodo through their eyes, Tolkien very adroitly weans us from Bilbo to Frodo and before we know it we are off on another adventure. Not with 13 grumpy dwarves, but with 4 Hobbits that we have come to like within the first chapter or two.
Sorry "I have received or read concerning the motives and meaning of the tale. The prime motive was the desire of a taleteller to try his hand at a really long story that would hold the attention of readers, amsuse them, delight them, and at times excite them or deeply move them."
< snip>
"It's sources are things long before in mind, or in some cases already written, and little or nothing in it was modified by the war that began in 1939 or it's sequels.
"If you dont let me in, Frodo, I shall blow your door right down your hole and out through the hill."
As we know, Bilbo is turning 111 and Frodo will be 33. Aragorn is 70, Boromir is 23, Sam is 18, Merry is 19, Pippin is 11, Gimli is 222, and Legolas's age is unknown.
Sauron made a secret return to Mordor 59 years ago. Gollum hasn't been captured yet, so Sauron still thinks that the ring is at the bottom of the Anduin.
Saruman has had designs on the ring for the last 150 years. He still hides from the rest of the White Council that the knows where the ring was lost, and has been secretely searching for it.
Smeagol, AKA Gollum, first found the ring 538 years ago.
Gondor has been without a king for 1051 years.
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And wither then? I cannot say.
- JRR Tolkien
We're already off to a new adventure. I relish the idea and the fun ahead.
Add me to your list, please, if you please.
I am spending part of the afternoon in historical research to provide background for the next chapter. People on this list, if you have not read the Silmarillion, Freepmail me (don't want to clutter the list) so I know how much depth to cover. Otherwise I'll just throw in references to Morgoth and Manwe and expect everyone to know who I'm talking about.
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And, by the way, Pearce was also involved in a mock trial of Peter Jackson held at Ave Maria University. Jackson was being tried, in absence, for "The Desecration of the Lord of the Rings". Pearce served as defense lawyer, since he loved the movie. He said his key moment in the trial was while cross-examining a fellow who said that the movie was a "gross misrepresentation of Tolkien's work". Pearce asked the man one question. "How many times have you seen the movie?" "Six." The defense rested, and the jury ruled in Jackson's favor.
On my first reading, I read LOTR before The Hobbit and didn't have any problems.
At any rate, we are all shaped by the events that surround us, whether we consciosly express that or not. Often things will "bleed through" the writing that the author isn't even necessarily aware of...
-penny
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