Barliman Butterbrain - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Curulin · 05-03-2003, 10:29 AM

Sorry to lower the jovial tone, but i disagree that the incongruity that appears is a mistake.
I would agrue that it actually serves a double purpose. One, it helps to characterise Gandalf. We can see his wisdom, perceptivness, experience, etc.
Secondly, the fact that Tokien has Gandalf say this sugests that Tolkien is trying to show us that many people have hidden depths. They appear slightly stupid and bumbling on the outside, but one should never judge a book by its cover.
I think that the fact that he has included this gives the character much more depth and truth. Afterall, no one can claim to be all of one thing, everyone has different sides to them, some showing, some hidden,

05-03-2003, 10:29 AM	#10
Curulin Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The woods of Orome. Posts: 58	Sorry to lower the jovial tone, but i disagree that the incongruity that appears is a mistake. I would agrue that it actually serves a double purpose. One, it helps to characterise Gandalf. We can see his wisdom, perceptivness, experience, etc. Secondly, the fact that Tokien has Gandalf say this sugests that Tolkien is trying to show us that many people have hidden depths. They appear slightly stupid and bumbling on the outside, but one should never judge a book by its cover. I think that the fact that he has included this gives the character much more depth and truth. Afterall, no one can claim to be all of one thing, everyone has different sides to them, some showing, some hidden, __________________ Well, I'm back.