The Lord of the Rings: Favorite Vignettes

[Josh]

Since we seem to have a plethora of LOTR fans online, I wanted to start some good ol' LOTR discussion.

I thought maybe we could break it up by book and weigh in on our favorite vignettes from each. Maybe we could even spice it up with our favorite scenes from each film too for some compare and contrast with the book.

I'll be back with mine soon, but if anyone wants to start with their favorite sections of the Fellowship of the Ring, go right ahead--

[Josh]

OK, hands down my favorite part of FOTR is the whole Moria section. Growing up, well before the movies, I was always captivated by the sense of dread that builds when reading that section.

It's a perfect example of the payoff that comes from Tolkien's long-winded histories and back-story in Middle Earth. It's precisely because one knows that the back-story of Moria is ancient and tragic that that whole section comes off with such a sense of doom.

As a kid, and to this day, when the fellowship finds and reads Balin's journal in the chamber of Mazurbal, I just get chills down my spine.

So that section is my favorite (among other close contenders) from FOTR. Movie-wise, I love that section too, but one thing I prefer about the book's treatment of Moria is that you really get the sense that they were in there for several days.

At the risk of going overboard, I posted a poem I wrote years ago on Moria if anyone is interested ;D

Poetry: Moria

[christopher]

It's interesting. I'm currently reading through the book right now. I'm glad I am too, because, as much as I love the movies, they've seemed to replace my memories of the book (I've only read it all the way through once). Many of the changes in the movies have made me forget much of what is in the books and I want to recover that.

Just after Moria, the company comes to Lothlorien (that's where I'm at now). I love being in that place! I just want to hang out there for a few weeks. I can totally get the picture of these giant, ancient, trees that have been complimented and networked with a city of subtle structures to house the elves of the woods. This is the kind of place that all of my childhood fantasies would dwell. I've always loved tree houses and climbing trees. I've always liked movies that depicted people living in the trees (Return of the Jedi, Flash Gordon, Swiss family Robinson, etc.).

But most of all, I love the fact that the company found reprieve from their battle and flight and had a place of rest and recovery provided for them. It reminds me of the way God brings retreats in our lives just when we need them. After we go through the "Moria's" of life, where we are doing little more than groping our way through trying to find our way, where peril lurks around every corner, where arrows must be dodged, and the foe is more formidable than our wildest imaginations can conceive of routing, God comes through and we find a place of rest, where we can have time to properly grieve, reflect or simply catch our breath before the next leg of the journey. His timing is always impeccable.

Rivendell was another one of those places for me as well, and also the time with Tom Bombadil.

Good thread. I hope it takes off. ;D

[b]

Speaking of Tom Bombadil...

I would put the whole "House of Tom Bombadil" section as one of my very favorites. He is a character Sarah and I have often referenced in conversation.

I also responded to the description of places of rest and reprieve. Tom's house is described as being so safe, and natural, like a gentle part of the forest that holds nothing wicked.

Although it did not directly advance the main plot ( I suppose that is why it was not included in the movies) I found it to be very dense with intriguing concepts.

Tom himself is an enigma. As I recall, he can see Frodo when he is wearing the ring, something that only the Nazgul can do. And when he takes the ring from Frodo, he puts it on and does not disapear. And I think he even does a "magic" trick and makes the ring itself disappear for a moment. He is joking around with the ring, and sincerely has no temptation to keep it, or use its power.

My father-in-law taught a college class on LOTR and he described Tom's attitude as being like an pre-fallen Adam, strolling through the Garden of Eden singing to the plants and having no desire to control or own anything.

And Tom is described as being ancient and very powerful by the Elves. I think that Tom even reveals that he was there before the Forest grew from acorns. Elrond says something about how he is an ally, but does not have the temperament to help them much in the battle against Sauron.

And Sarah and I have discussed Goldberry several times. She is fascinating as well, and even more mysterious than Tom. Quite a couple to encounter in the woods.

LOTR has a large amount of characters, and so many of them have many facets and just make you want to know more about them and their backstory.

I have not read any of the Simarillion material. How would people describe it?

[christopher]

I think Tom can almost be described as the "Melchezidek" of the LOTR. Mysterious, only vaguely identifiable, yet in some way a powerful character with some degree of authority.

[Josh]

It reminds me of the way God brings retreats in our lives just when we need them.

Chris and Brian, I share your sentiments on this theme. The contrast between the moments of testing and resting in the good fantasy novels from Pilgrim's Progress to Narnia to LOTR and others is a favorite motif of mine.

Brian-

The Silmarillion is a great read if you expect to read history. The Silmarrillion forms a compelling story like a history text does rather than a modern novel. Actually, it's more like reading Genesis and Exodus rolled into Beowfulf than either a novel or a text.

In so doing, while it sacrificies microscopic focus on details, character developments, etc.. it acheives a sweeping epic-ness ;D instead.

I couldn't read it for years until I had begun to appreciate similar literature elsewhere. But after that, i gained great satisfaction.

To get your feet wet, I'd recommend reading "The Children of Hurin" first, which is a fleshing out of a story from the "Silmarillion" that is, from a literary viewpoint, half-way between LOTR and the SILM. (It just came out a few years ago, released for publication by Tolkien's son). Here's the mini-review (if one could even call it that) I wrote on it after I read it:

Just finished J.R.R. Tolkien's The Children of Hurin, released very posthumously (34 years after Tolkien's death) by his son, Christopher Tolkien.

It's the more fully fleshed out story of Turin, who is a character in the Silmarillion.

It is a woefully tragic, heart-wrenched tale about doom and destiny with a very Norse feel to it. Also, it's insights into the nature of evil are amazing. Sauron is but a pale shadow in comparison to his master Morgoth, the satan-like character in this tale. And Tolkien's very Christian reflections about the nature of evil struck a major chord with me as I was reading.

[Douglas]

I think one of my favorite scenes is the charge of the Rohirrim. It is summed up in the person of Theoden. Here is man at the end of his life. Years have been spent in slavery to Saruman he is old and bent yet his spirit is strong and unbroken. In the face of death he take up courage and charges headfirst in the face of the enemy. This is what i want to be. To throw aside all that hold me down and charge bravely against the enemy. I think the fact that he dies is the best part of all. Not to rejoice in death but because it is a true representation of what it means to life life here on planet earth. We have no promise of success or life but rather we are called to face death and look beyond it to the life promised in Jesus Christ.

They have a strange mixture of sadness and joy that i believe is a excellent reflection of what it means to be human. We live in a fallen world surrounded by death and sadness. Yet we are alive and and we are going from death to life in Christ.

My favorite quote is:
"And they sang as they slew and the sound of their song rose up to the walls of Minus Tirith." I dont know if this a direct quote as i dont have the book in front of me but think it is pretty accurate. It gives me chills every time i read it.

Douglas

[Josh]

Yep, definitely one of my favorite scenes. For me, particularly, though, it's the moment when the Witch King is about to break Gandalf and is halted simultaneously by the dawn and the call of the Rohirrim horns. Just when things couldn't have gotten worse and did, it's then that hope springs up from some unlooked for corner.

However, Douglas, I must reprimand you for jumping on to ROTK. Bad Douglas. I guess we'll just have to open this thread up to all the books.

Favorite parts from Two Towers or Return of the King? Mix it up with some scenes from the Hobbit or the Silmarillion?

[Douglas]

Sorry, my bad.

[Josh]

No prob . I changed the title to Lord of the Rings instead of just FOTR.

[Josh]

So, things I love in the Two Towers:

1. All the Rohan intrigue (Theoden, Wormtongue, Saruman, Eowyn, Eomer, Gandalf, etc..)
2. The scenes where for a time Smeagol's heart is softening.
3. Then there's this quote, one of my all-time favorites:

Suddenly, caught by the level beams, Frodo saw the old King's head: it was lying rolled away by the roadside. 'Look Sam!' he cried, startled into speech. 'Look! The king has got a crown again!'

The eyes were hollow and the carven beard was broken, but about the high stern forehead there was a coronal of silver and gold. A trailing plant with flowers like small white stars had bound itself across the brows as if in reverence for the fallen king, and in the crevices of his stony hair yellow stonecrop gleamed.

'They cannot conquer forever!' said Frodo. And then suddenly the brief glimpse was gone. The sun dipped and vanished, and as if at the shuttering of a lamp, black night fell.

Gives me chills every time.

On another note, Steve, what's that quote by Eomer when he first meets Aragorn that you love so much? That's a great one too.

[aimee]

I agree with you guys about Tom. He was an interesting, poetical guy. And he does seem to tie in to reality and nature more than many of the characters somehow. Other characters along this line for me are:

Farmer Maggot: for his shrewed eye and kind heart
Mr Butterbur: the perfect inn keeper
Farmer Cotton: for his sense of community

They seem like the common folk-type heros and heartwarmers along the dark path.

I also love the part where Frodo wakes up in the tree branch bower made by the elves... what a cool thing to sleep in trees!

My most favorite quote of all is:

Lord of the Nazgul: "Hinder me?" Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!" Then Merry heard of all the sounds in that hour the strangest. It seemed that Dernhelm laughed, and the clear voice was like the ring of steel. "But no living man am I! You look upon a woman."

....and to show how a woman's heart may change (usually by the power of God)

Eowyn: "I stand in Minas Anor, the Tower of the Sun", she said; "and behold! the Shadow has departed! I will be shieldmaiden no longer, nor vie with the great Riders, nor take joy only in songs of slaying. I will be a healer and love all things that grow and are not barren." and again she looked at Faramir. "No longer do I desire to be a queen," she said.

very similar in spirit to Galadrial's speech:
"I pass the test,"she said."I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel."

Thanks for sending a link to this post Josh! I have been reading Tolkein since I was little, for a while I would re-read The Hobbit and/or LOTR every summer.

[Josh]

I agree with you guys about Tom. He was an interesting, poetical guy.

I see some possible George MacDonald influence in Tom. In the Princess and the Goblin the main protaganist's (Curdie) weapon of choice against the goblins is.... singing.

I understand that while Lewis was a big MacDonald fan, Tolkien gave him mixed reviews. Still, the overlap here is interesting.

I think it suggests the unflappable peace and joy of God, which puts even enemies like evil trees, goblins, and barrow-wights in a new perspective when He shows up. Evil somehow seems irrelevant in his presence.

[Josh]

So, here's a favorite moment in the Return of the King, set during the desperate defense of Minas Tirith:

"You cannot enter here," said Gandalf, and huge shadow halted. "Go back to the abyss prepared for you! Go back! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your Master. Go!"

The Black rider flung back his hood, and behold! He had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter.

"Old fool!" he said. "Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!" And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.

Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard in the City, a thingy crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn.

And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last!"

There's just something about the arrival of the Rohirrim, past all hope, that resonates strongly with me. I believe God has a tendency to show up just when most have lost all hope.