The ascendence of Gandalf - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

draggonklaw · 02-17-2001, 10:51 AM

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
Posts: 25</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
I just finished reading again the chapter in TT on "The voice of Saruman (What an awesome confrontation!). near the end, Gandalf- who is now the one in white (in place of Saruman) autoritatively breaks Saruman's staff and casts him from the order (of the Istari) and the Council (of the wise (TT 222).
My question is, Was Gandalf now the leader of the Order and the Council (as he appears to be) because Saruman failed (in his position/mission as the leader), or because Gandalf went through the Balrog experience and "passed"(with flying colors)? or both?
Gandalf was clothed in white (the Leadership color) and no longer grey before the confrontation with Saruman. Does that mean he was already the new leader?
One other thought. If indeed he was the new leader, and it was because he went thru the Balrog encounter and was victorious, does that mean that the Balrog was some kind of test that was laid on Gandalf? And if so, who laid it on him? Eru? The Valar?

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02-17-2001, 10:51 AM	#1
draggonklaw Animated Skeleton Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 40	The ascendence of Gandalf <font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones Posts: 25</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> I just finished reading again the chapter in TT on "The voice of Saruman (What an awesome confrontation!). near the end, Gandalf- who is now the one in white (in place of Saruman) autoritatively breaks Saruman's staff and casts him from the order (of the Istari) and the Council (of the wise (TT 222). My question is, Was Gandalf now the leader of the Order and the Council (as he appears to be) because Saruman failed (in his position/mission as the leader), or because Gandalf went through the Balrog experience and "passed"(with flying colors)? or both? Gandalf was clothed in white (the Leadership color) and no longer grey before the confrontation with Saruman. Does that mean he was already the new leader? One other thought. If indeed he was the new leader, and it was because he went thru the Balrog encounter and was victorious, does that mean that the Balrog was some kind of test that was laid on Gandalf? And if so, who laid it on him? Eru? The Valar? </p>