Celebrian's Misfortunes

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Neurion

Tolkien could have just as easily said "Outraged" or "Ravaged" had he meant to tell his readers that Celebrian was mistreated as you suggest rather than using (as he did) the very vague "Torment".

On reflection, I think that Tolkien chose his words very carefully and deliberately here.

I agree with Fordim's analysis that the words used in conjunction with the situation described do suggest that Celebrian was violated. And I seriously doubt that Tolkien would have been unaware of the connotations of the words used in this regard. Certainly, when I have read the book in recent years, this is the suggestion that comes to my mind when I read the relevant passages. Importantly, however, it is not something which would have occurred to the younger and more (blissfully) innocent me who first read the book.

I would suggest, therefore, that Tolkien was carefully and wisely choosing words which would avoid suggesting to his more innocent readers that such things happen. Why, after all, should he take responsibility for introducing his younger readers to the brutal realities of life? At the same time, the words convey the intended impression to those who are (sadly) acquainted with such realities.