LotR -- Book 5 - Chapter 06 - The Battle of Pelennor Fields

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

About animals in LotR - I wonder if I am the only one who feels a little sad that the Oliphaunts and other creatures seem to die out after the War of the Ring? Maybe it is a symptom of modern times that we feel sadness for such creatures and the way they are exploited?

Nice to see someone picked this up!

We are so accustomed, I think, to hearing about the wonderful horses of Rohan and their expert masters that I think we tend to forget the use of and fate of other animals in the battle. Is there any suggestion in any of Tolkien's other writings about why the oliphaunts die out? To be honest, I cannot help thinking--and I know this is irrelevant--of George Orwell's essay, Shooting an Elephant .

Originally Posted by Hilde Bracegirdle

In short this chapter reminds me of a old painting of a crowded battlefield, and everywhere you look some story is unfolding. All of them important.

Oh, how very apt, Hilde! A Bruegel battlefield, with no one central focus.