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.
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