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Originally Posted by Adel
...and yet as I said before, I see no reason to pursue this topic, as it still boils down to one thing. To each his own opinion and outlook on the world! Tolkien never gave a direct answer to what happened, so arguing really is pretty worthless isn't it?
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That would depend on what one's purpose in arguing is.
Some wish to bring people round to their side. Some might simply enjoy goading others into stronger and stronger statements--either playing devil's advocate or messing with other's ideas-- while still others might simply be interested in exploring the possibilities. For instance, I think
Fordim's and
SaucepanMan's posts here are interesting as explorations of the writing. They acknowledge the indeterminacy of the text and consider how that is a characteristic of the narrative. Isn't this valid?
Agreeing to disagree is a legitimate conclusion where people remain unconvinced. However, to suggest that a topic should not be pursued because there is no direct answer and because all we have are different opinions strikes me as a bit harsh. Surely discussion is all the more important where we don't have clear cut yes/no situations, where we can come to understand a variety of ways to consider a topic.
Or did you mean there's no point in pursuing the topic further, rather than at all?
Your point about the morgul poisoning is interesting, as it then suggests several purposes for Celebrian in the story. First, she provides her sons with reason and rationale to be always out fighting.(An important consideration when an author has some many characters at hand.) Second, she shows how close and personal has been the pain even in eminent, powerful elves. Third, she offers a way for astute readers to foretell Frodo's final fate. Although Elrond and Rivendell have 'healed' Frodo, we can surmise that there will be lasting effects. There is no magic bullet in LotR, but always a long defeat.
Oh, wait, Celebrian's absence also explains why/allows Arwen to spend so much time with Grandma Galadriel, where she can see Aragorn amidst the beauties of Lothlorien.
There are so many benefits to getting Celebrian out of the way. Hardly "a small amount of outward results", eh? It's the story that assaults her, not the orcs!
