I also think that there is something about the Trilogy that helps readers live with their grief. Yesterday night, I learned that my favorite cousin (who I loved as a brother) died in London. Let's just say that saying that I was devastated is an understatement. To help distract myself, and to keep myself from dwelling on that parting, I started reading LotR and then I realized that grieving over his death wouldn't accomplish anything except making me feel worse. Reading about the death of Theodred, the supposed death of Gandalf, the death of Boromir, etc. helped me take it in stride, and I think that is the true beauty of the trilogy and all the characters. The way that the Fellowship trudged on after Gandalf's death helped me, trudge on after my cousin's death.
__________________
But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.
|