Suicidal tree? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Folwren · 08-16-2010, 08:01 PM

I saw this thread title and I just had to read it. It turned out to be quite entertaining. I'm glad I bothered to look.

But what do you think - some of the topics I've seen brought up at times (this one, for instance) just seem really...superficial. Do you think Tolkien really thought about this at all when he wrote it? He was drawing a picture, and a very vivid one...did he think about the fact that the fire was made out of the same stuff the tree was made of? I highly doubt it. My guess was that he wrote it and didn't think about it again, as is likely the case with many things in the book. As Lord of Agmar said above, it was likely "a bit of exposition to give life and humanity to the elderly Wood."

alatar · 08-26-2010, 08:08 PM

Methinks he was just trying to show that the trees were nice, liking the fire just like our three, and so was 'on the same side.' Also, having built many a fire in the woods, it does appear that trees waves their leafy hands over my campfires, and I pretend that this is due to their entishness and not thermal air currents...

Bêthberry · 08-26-2010, 08:24 PM

Perhaps it was humming "Light my fire"?

alatar · 08-26-2010, 08:28 PM

It does seem a little cannibalistic...

08-16-2010, 08:01 PM	#1
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	I saw this thread title and I just had to read it. It turned out to be quite entertaining. I'm glad I bothered to look. But what do you think - some of the topics I've seen brought up at times (this one, for instance) just seem really...superficial. Do you think Tolkien really thought about this at all when he wrote it? He was drawing a picture, and a very vivid one...did he think about the fact that the fire was made out of the same stuff the tree was made of? I highly doubt it. My guess was that he wrote it and didn't think about it again, as is likely the case with many things in the book. As Lord of Agmar said above, it was likely "a bit of exposition to give life and humanity to the elderly Wood." __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

08-26-2010, 08:08 PM	#2
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	Methinks he was just trying to show that the trees were nice, liking the fire just like our three, and so was 'on the same side.' Also, having built many a fire in the woods, it does appear that trees waves their leafy hands over my campfires, and I pretend that this is due to their entishness and not thermal air currents... __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

08-26-2010, 08:24 PM	#3
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Perhaps it was humming "Light my fire"? __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

08-26-2010, 08:28 PM	#4
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	It does seem a little cannibalistic... __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.