Problem? Solution? What is all this? I just made a light hearted observation, and wham-o! eye yigh yigh!
I don't have time to respond to anything in specificity or in depth. I just want to say for the record that I see - - - that is, saw initially - - - three different types of responses/takes on the two Gandalves (I like that spelling too); each was equally legitimate.
1) the revisionist response - trying to follow Tolkien through his own creative process. (Child's approach)
2) the fabled historian response - getting in Tolkien's back pocket and sub-creating how Frodo and Bilbo and the rest of them could have given us the various - - um - - variants! (Heren Istarion's approach, I believe?)
3) the fan response - loving Tolkien's characters as presented, not needing all this extra bosh (which isn't really bosh, just a certain kind of nerdy fun!).
Me, I'm apt for the #2 & #3 approaches, both.
As to problem in need of impossible solution, I don't see it that way at all, and didn't when I whimsically started this humble thread. I see the two (or more) Gandalfs as part and parcel of that which attracts me to the whole creative work.
Just one additional note, having read through most of the posts - - it strikes me that
The Hobbit has more of a Brothers Grimm feel than
LotR, especially with talking purses, and trolls that turn to stone at daybreak; not to mention the feel of Mirkwood and all that. In other words, The Hobbit strikes me as strongly folkloric, though canted for children (which Tolkien later regretted, according to some letter or other). I
still don't have
The Letters! - it's on my Christmas list. Puleeze, Santa, pretty puleeze! Maybe you can send a special delivery by means of that Polar Bear......
