Favourite Chapter? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Galadriel · 10-22-2010, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charmed I'm Sure

Shadow of the Past came to mind immediately. As others have said it's not full of action, just Gandalf and Frodo sitting and talking that makes for an exciting chapter. That's probably my overall favorite as it sets the stage beautifully.

Hello Charmed I'm Sure! Welcome to the Downs! Shadow of the past was indeed rather interesting. For me, it was one of the most informative chapters with almost all the answers (except Council of Elrond).

Formendacil · 10-22-2010, 08:46 AM

It is possible that in pondering this question, I am going to wander a little from the topic. I've been following it off and on, because I like knowing what people think, but haven't replied because, well... how can one have a "favourite" chapter? Besides, what constitutes a chapter? Can I say Appendix A ii "Of Arnor and the Heirs of Isildur?"

Silliness and possible snobbery aside, part of the problem for me is that the chapters are a bit too diverse for me to compartmentalise together as chapters in my mind. It's a weird problem--don't get me wrong: apparently, I can keep all the chapters from Book V distinct as chapters (maybe because they switch back and forth between characters) and I have strong leanings in that direction--either for "Siege of Gondor" or "The Pyre of Denethor." Then there's "Shadow of the Past" and "The Council of Elrond" which seem almost like intra-narrative appendices. And then there are whole chapters whose names I recognise on sight, but can't for the life of me dredge up, like the penultimate Book III chapter or those denouement chapters from "Field of Cormallen," "The Steward and the King" and whatever comes before "The Scouring of the Shire"--which is itself a contender.

In other words--if I understand myself--I tend to think of The Lord of the Rings as a unity, or at least as episodic, rather than in terms of chapters. In some cases they overlap, in some cases they don't. That, and I tend not to be a title-recollecting person, it seems.

So... it's really hard to pick. However, I *think* I can narrow it down to a Top 5 (with the caveat that I reserve the right to change it... at any time...). So, in order from first to fifth:

"The Scouring of the Shire"
"The Pyre of Denethor"
"A Conspiracy Unmasked"
"A Knife in the Dark"
"The Steward and the King"

Except... except... I now feel guilty for having only Book I and Book VI chapters--I love the rest of the books too!

I have a problem...

Galadriel55 · 10-27-2010, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galadriel

Hello Charmed I'm Sure! Welcome to the Downs! Shadow of the past was indeed rather interesting. For me, it was one of the most informative chapters with almost all the answers (except Council of Elrond).

Shadow of the Past is probably the ost important chapter of the book - the reason for the Fellowship to form.

Almesiva Moonshadow · 12-12-2010, 12:37 PM

Okay, here are my favourites:

Fellowship of the Ring: Many Meetings and Shadow of the Past
The Two Towers: The Uruk-Hai

Return of the King: The Steward and the King

Arendil15 · 12-13-2010, 05:03 PM

My personal top favorite out of all the boooks would be "The Steward and the King", mainly because of how beautiful the scene is in my head when Faramir is talking to Eowyn, telling her that he really does love her. I think that, although PJ did a very good job with that scene, it really could have been a little bit better.

Marlowe221 · 12-15-2010, 11:26 AM

For me it's Chapters 1-4 of Fellowship. I love the Shire (as I am sure many do) and the opening chapters that begin the epic tale all while giving us a glimpse of what it would be like to live in the Shire and to be a Hobbit.

I love the trip from Hobbiton to Crickhollow, the mysterious encounters with the Black Riders, the conversations with Gildor and Farmer Maggot, and so on.

These chapters are beautiful yet ominous - they show us an idyllic and bucolic society and yet there is an undercurrent of tension that starts with Bilbo's difficulty in giving up the ring and the shadow that seems to fall over the Shire as the years pass though most of the inhabitants do not seem to realize it.

Every time I read those chapters I cannot help but wish that they were longer or that there were more of them. For me, something more than the Shire itself is lost to the reader when the four hobbits pass through a misty field and into the Old Forest.

Bom Tombadillo · 12-03-2011, 11:31 PM

Definitely "The Scouring of the Shire" as a great moment for the entire Hobbit race.

10-22-2010, 08:46 AM	#2
Formendacil Dead Serious Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Perched on Thangorodrim's towers. Posts: 3,328	It is possible that in pondering this question, I am going to wander a little from the topic. I've been following it off and on, because I like knowing what people think, but haven't replied because, well... how can one have a "favourite" chapter? Besides, what constitutes a chapter? Can I say Appendix A ii "Of Arnor and the Heirs of Isildur?" Silliness and possible snobbery aside, part of the problem for me is that the chapters are a bit too diverse for me to compartmentalise together as chapters in my mind. It's a weird problem--don't get me wrong: apparently, I can keep all the chapters from Book V distinct as chapters (maybe because they switch back and forth between characters) and I have strong leanings in that direction--either for "Siege of Gondor" or "The Pyre of Denethor." Then there's "Shadow of the Past" and "The Council of Elrond" which seem almost like intra-narrative appendices. And then there are whole chapters whose names I recognise on sight, but can't for the life of me dredge up, like the penultimate Book III chapter or those denouement chapters from "Field of Cormallen," "The Steward and the King" and whatever comes before "The Scouring of the Shire"--which is itself a contender. In other words--if I understand myself--I tend to think of The Lord of the Rings as a unity, or at least as episodic, rather than in terms of chapters. In some cases they overlap, in some cases they don't. That, and I tend not to be a title-recollecting person, it seems. So... it's really hard to pick. However, I think I can narrow it down to a Top 5 (with the caveat that I reserve the right to change it... at any time...). So, in order from first to fifth: "The Scouring of the Shire" "The Pyre of Denethor" "A Conspiracy Unmasked" "A Knife in the Dark" "The Steward and the King" Except... except... I now feel guilty for having only Book I and Book VI chapters--I love the rest of the books too! I have a problem... __________________ I prefer history, true or feigned.

12-12-2010, 12:37 PM	#4
Almesiva Moonshadow Animated Skeleton Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Serbia Posts: 34	Okay, here are my favourites: Fellowship of the Ring: Many Meetings and Shadow of the Past The Two Towers: The Uruk-Hai Return of the King: The Steward and the King __________________ "...Aim for the moon,if you miss,you may hit a star..." -W.Clement Stone- Last edited by Almesiva Moonshadow; 12-12-2010 at 12:41 PM.

12-13-2010, 05:03 PM	#5
Arendil15 Pile O'Bones Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: The Golden Hall, Meduseld Posts: 13	My personal top favorite out of all the boooks would be "The Steward and the King", mainly because of how beautiful the scene is in my head when Faramir is talking to Eowyn, telling her that he really does love her. I think that, although PJ did a very good job with that scene, it really could have been a little bit better. __________________ "Then he kissed her hand, and sprang into the saddle, and rode away, and did not look back; and only thosewho knew him well and were near to him saw the pain that he bore." ~The Passing of the Grey Company- The Return of the King

12-03-2011, 11:31 PM	#7
Bom Tombadillo Wight Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Behind you . . . . BOO! Posts: 222	Definitely "The Scouring of the Shire" as a great moment for the entire Hobbit race. __________________ Every human should have a cat or two in their care, to teach them the meaning of the word, and to correct them. Phenris Dorph

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12-15-2010, 11:26 AM	#6
Marlowe221 Pile O'Bones Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 18	For me it's Chapters 1-4 of Fellowship. I love the Shire (as I am sure many do) and the opening chapters that begin the epic tale all while giving us a glimpse of what it would be like to live in the Shire and to be a Hobbit. I love the trip from Hobbiton to Crickhollow, the mysterious encounters with the Black Riders, the conversations with Gildor and Farmer Maggot, and so on. These chapters are beautiful yet ominous - they show us an idyllic and bucolic society and yet there is an undercurrent of tension that starts with Bilbo's difficulty in giving up the ring and the shadow that seems to fall over the Shire as the years pass though most of the inhabitants do not seem to realize it. Every time I read those chapters I cannot help but wish that they were longer or that there were more of them. For me, something more than the Shire itself is lost to the reader when the four hobbits pass through a misty field and into the Old Forest.