frodo was both the weakest and strongest person in the Trilogy? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nar · 05-10-2002, 07:11 AM

Great ideas, child and littlemanpoet! I've just been struck reading these posts by how living and responsive the story becomes because of the shifting dualities among the three companions, Sam, Gollum and Frodo. These comparisons of oppositions in character, virtue and light/dark myth never settle into leaden schema. The three characters always remain distict but never become deterministic or -shudder- allegorical. They remain applicable, with the elusiveness of living creatures that can never be just summed up into a few categories.
Seen by us: Sam and Frodo, heart/caregiver and spirit/seeker.
Seen by Sam: Frodo and Gollum, holy man and fallen man.
Seen by us: Sam and Gollum, true friend and embittered/unfaithful friend.
This is a fantastic composition! Three characters paired and re-paired into different dualities -- lots of mythic resonance and yet a light, living, developing thematic pattern.

That's a great technique. Have to go internalize it now, so I have it available when I need it.

[ May 10, 2002: Message edited by: Nar ]

[ May 10, 2002: Message edited by: Nar ]

05-10-2002, 07:11 AM	#11
Nar Wight Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 228	Great ideas, child and littlemanpoet! I've just been struck reading these posts by how living and responsive the story becomes because of the shifting dualities among the three companions, Sam, Gollum and Frodo. These comparisons of oppositions in character, virtue and light/dark myth never settle into leaden schema. The three characters always remain distict but never become deterministic or -shudder- allegorical. They remain applicable, with the elusiveness of living creatures that can never be just summed up into a few categories. Seen by us: Sam and Frodo, heart/caregiver and spirit/seeker. Seen by Sam: Frodo and Gollum, holy man and fallen man. Seen by us: Sam and Gollum, true friend and embittered/unfaithful friend. This is a fantastic composition! Three characters paired and re-paired into different dualities -- lots of mythic resonance and yet a light, living, developing thematic pattern. That's a great technique. Have to go internalize it now, so I have it available when I need it. [ May 10, 2002: Message edited by: Nar ] [ May 10, 2002: Message edited by: Nar ]