Passage from text:
"They looked back. Dark yawned the archway of the Gates under the mountain-shadow. Faint and far beneath the earth rolled the slow drumbeats: doom. A thin black smoke trailed out. Nothing else was to be seen; the dale all around was empty. Doom. Grief at last wholly overcame them, and they wept long: some standing and silent, some cast upon the ground. Doom, doom. The drum-beats faded."
Pg#: 323
Commentary: [Rhetorical Device]
I don't think that it's a coincidence that the drum-beat and "doom" are held synonymous in onomatopoeia. Since a chapter ago that "doom" sound has been closing in. Now in the wake of Gandalf's alleged death "doom" has truly set in. How will the company continue on? Will there be more Orcs and Balrogs where that came from? The gang had been leaning so much upon Gandalf as their guide and leader- now only sorrow and an impending sense of "doom" fills that place. The group must forge on if they are to be rid of the ring and those drum-beats.
Monday, October 22, 2012
That Just Happened.
Passage from the text:
"With a terrible cry the Balrog fell forward, and its shadow plunged down and vanished. But even as it fell it swung its whip, and the thongs lashed and curled about the wizard's knees, dragging him to the brink. He staggered and fell, grasped vainly at the stone, and slid into the abyss. 'Fly, you fools!' he cried, and was gone."
Pg#: 322
Commentary: [Rhetorical devices, other texts, predictions]
Never is it expressly said what a "Balrog" is- the creature is briefly described in a series of movements leading up to this climactic fall of Gandalf. I think Tolkien did this to play on the terror of the unknown in a way. When I fear something, often the cause is because I'm not fully aware of what the thing is that I fear. The reader is placed in the same position as Frodo is. Frodo doesn't know what a Balrog is- just that it's attacking Gandalf and that he should be afraid of it.
I feel as if this chapter directly correlates with the end of the 6th book in Harry Potter. When Dumbledore dies everyone feels abandoned and lost- it seemed as if so long as Dumbledore was alive and well that the magical world was safe (no matter how many evils assailed Harry). As Gandalf is now away from the group (though maybe not gone forever) I surmise it is in desperation too.
Gandalf is coming back. He has to.
"With a terrible cry the Balrog fell forward, and its shadow plunged down and vanished. But even as it fell it swung its whip, and the thongs lashed and curled about the wizard's knees, dragging him to the brink. He staggered and fell, grasped vainly at the stone, and slid into the abyss. 'Fly, you fools!' he cried, and was gone."
Pg#: 322
Commentary: [Rhetorical devices, other texts, predictions]
Never is it expressly said what a "Balrog" is- the creature is briefly described in a series of movements leading up to this climactic fall of Gandalf. I think Tolkien did this to play on the terror of the unknown in a way. When I fear something, often the cause is because I'm not fully aware of what the thing is that I fear. The reader is placed in the same position as Frodo is. Frodo doesn't know what a Balrog is- just that it's attacking Gandalf and that he should be afraid of it.
I feel as if this chapter directly correlates with the end of the 6th book in Harry Potter. When Dumbledore dies everyone feels abandoned and lost- it seemed as if so long as Dumbledore was alive and well that the magical world was safe (no matter how many evils assailed Harry). As Gandalf is now away from the group (though maybe not gone forever) I surmise it is in desperation too.
Gandalf is coming back. He has to.
The Gang's Security
Passage from the text:
"'Steady! Steady!'" cried Gandalf as merry and Pippin pushed forward, glad to find a place where they could rest with at least more feeling of shelter than in the open passage. 'Steady you do not know what is inside yet. I will go first.'"
Page #: 305
Commentary: [Reflect on Character]
Gandalf is being such a dad right now with the protector motif going on and an angered encouragement to follow the leader. Not to mention the fact that Gandalf is kinda wise and he's willing to be the first one in danger. The group is kinda relying alot on him right now.
"'Steady! Steady!'" cried Gandalf as merry and Pippin pushed forward, glad to find a place where they could rest with at least more feeling of shelter than in the open passage. 'Steady you do not know what is inside yet. I will go first.'"
Page #: 305
Commentary: [Reflect on Character]
Gandalf is being such a dad right now with the protector motif going on and an angered encouragement to follow the leader. Not to mention the fact that Gandalf is kinda wise and he's willing to be the first one in danger. The group is kinda relying alot on him right now.
A Firm Farewell
Passage from the text:
"'I am sorry,' said Gandalf. 'Poor Bill has been a useful companion, and it goes to my heart to turn him adrift now. I would have traveled lighter and brought no animal, least of all this one that Sam is fond of, if I had had my way. I feared all along what we should be obliged to take this road.'"
Pg#: 294
Commentary: [Reflect]
Gandalf is sure to make clear that "the animal is not coming with us." Like a father that tells his children that the dog cannot come on the road trip, Gandalf tells the hobbits and company that Bill the llama cannot accompany them. The very fact that the pack-mule must be abandoned indicates a change in the dynamic of the story. The road ahead of them is too perilous and narrow for just anyone to come along. At the same time, I'm almost certain that Bill will pop up latter in the trilogy- he can't not- Sam loves the beast with much familiarity and it'll make for a cute Kodak moment for when things get slow on the journey ahead.
"'I am sorry,' said Gandalf. 'Poor Bill has been a useful companion, and it goes to my heart to turn him adrift now. I would have traveled lighter and brought no animal, least of all this one that Sam is fond of, if I had had my way. I feared all along what we should be obliged to take this road.'"
Pg#: 294
Commentary: [Reflect]
Gandalf is sure to make clear that "the animal is not coming with us." Like a father that tells his children that the dog cannot come on the road trip, Gandalf tells the hobbits and company that Bill the llama cannot accompany them. The very fact that the pack-mule must be abandoned indicates a change in the dynamic of the story. The road ahead of them is too perilous and narrow for just anyone to come along. At the same time, I'm almost certain that Bill will pop up latter in the trilogy- he can't not- Sam loves the beast with much familiarity and it'll make for a cute Kodak moment for when things get slow on the journey ahead.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Stay Warm
10/7/12
Passage from the text:
“A cold wind flowed down behind them, as they turned their backs on the Redhorn Gate, and stumbled wearily down the slope. Caradhras had defeated them.”
Pg#: 286
Commentary: [Relate]
The bitter cold of defeat. How humbling. The gang tried to brave the cold mountains instead going through Moria and they’ve failed.
Passage from the text:
“A cold wind flowed down behind them, as they turned their backs on the Redhorn Gate, and stumbled wearily down the slope. Caradhras had defeated them.”
Pg#: 286
Commentary: [Relate]
The bitter cold of defeat. How humbling. The gang tried to brave the cold mountains instead going through Moria and they’ve failed.
Sometimes there is no easy way out. The hard work that is necessary for the job to be completed cannot be circumvented. If there’s no way above it, below it, or around it, you gotta go through it. Fear lurks in the shadows of the minds of those who wish to thrive, keeping them from advancing. Should the spectres of doubt gain more credence, permanent indecision would become more likely. It is courage that the group needs right about now.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Said the Night Wind to the Little Lamb, Do You See What I See?
10/1/12
Passage from the text:
“Elrond raised his eyes and looked at him, and Frodo felt his heart pierced by the sudden keenness of the glance. ‘If I understand aright all that I have heard,’ he said, ‘I think that this task is appointed for you, Frodo; and that if you do not find a way, no one will. This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great. Who of all the Wise could have foreseen it? Or, if they are wise, why should they expect to know it, until the hour has struck?”
Pg#: 264
Commentary: [Comparison]
So I feel like Frodo is really making his way into his christ-figure about now. Only Frodo can throw the ring into the fires of Mordor. Only Jesus could throw sin back into hell. When it talks about the “Wise” I get flashbacks from the movie The Nativity Story. The three magi the whole time are like “who would’ve thunk... Bethlehem...whoa.” I think being born in the Shire might also be the equivalent of being born in a manger.
Passage from the text:
“Elrond raised his eyes and looked at him, and Frodo felt his heart pierced by the sudden keenness of the glance. ‘If I understand aright all that I have heard,’ he said, ‘I think that this task is appointed for you, Frodo; and that if you do not find a way, no one will. This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great. Who of all the Wise could have foreseen it? Or, if they are wise, why should they expect to know it, until the hour has struck?”
Pg#: 264
Commentary: [Comparison]
So I feel like Frodo is really making his way into his christ-figure about now. Only Frodo can throw the ring into the fires of Mordor. Only Jesus could throw sin back into hell. When it talks about the “Wise” I get flashbacks from the movie The Nativity Story. The three magi the whole time are like “who would’ve thunk... Bethlehem...whoa.” I think being born in the Shire might also be the equivalent of being born in a manger.
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