Your Favorite Things Tolkien

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

Best FotR chapter title? "Fog on the Barrow-downs" wins for me: there's something of mystery and a hint of menace just in fog (especially if you come, as I do, from an arid clime that experiences it but rarely), and both barrows and downs are older English terms that you don't find in my part of the world--hills, yes; downs, not so much--so it has some of the Tolkienian vocabulary (or, as someone in England might call it, "vocabulary").

I completely agree with this, and I thought of naming it amongst my favorites. I guess it doesn't do any harm that we also associate it with this sinister forum.

I actually think the Danish translation manages to achieve something similar with "Tåge over Dyssehøjene". You very seldom here the word "dysse" being used, "gravhøj" or "jættestue" is much more common. Dyssegæst (barrow-wight) has a very unsettling ring to it, but not if you translate it literally back to english "barrow-guest"

Originally Posted by Formendacil

ACTUAL favourite chapter?

Either "Three is Company or Strider. The former has a little bit of Gandalf, some Gaffer, and poetry; and it is the first of many chapters to lovingly take you through a landscape. And it has peak Black Rider. And then the Elves bursting on the scene. And that final note of mystery: Gildor's bafflement at Gandalf not turning up and his dark hints about the nature of the Riders.

And Book I might be my favourite of the six books--if I can be said to have one.

In some way I think that a Short Cut to Mushrooms is peak Black Rider, I was never more scared of them than when the Hobbit saw one on the hill they had just climbed down. Though "A Conspiracy Unmasked" is a close second, Merry's appearance at the Bucklebury Ferry gave me a good scare, and it was downright creepy when the hobbits looked across the river seeing the black (bundle) rider there.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

As a child I found all the encounters with the Black Riders awesome, especially that famous first meeting and the scene at the Weathertop - and naturally the Mines of Moria were just cool. On the contrary, I just couldn't bear Tom Bombadil or Goldberry. They felt to me coming from a wrong story, they were kind of breaking the spell of the book, if one can use a very weird idiom here. Nowadays I do find Tom Bombadil a really intriguing character although I' still not a great fan of that "Ring a dong dillo!" -stuff.

They are out of place, and it annoys me that we never really get to know Goldberry.
And yes "ring a dong dillo" is a bit off putting.

Originally Posted by Nogrod

I guess Gandalf still is my number one favorite character. I mean many people think that the LotR is a story about Frodo and the Ring, but I'd say its as much, if not even more, a story about one of the Istari fighting Sauron on behalf of the Ainur.

I would say so. Gandalf is the one person that makes everything tick, and has a clear strategy for achieving his goals. Aragorn too I guess, but the rest are just along for the ride.

Originally Posted by Pitchwife

(TBC, it's getting late)

Please do continue. Yours was a fantastic post, and I think you manage quite brilliantly to find words that fit my own ideas, but that I had not actually articulated.

[Merrymatt]

After many months of vexing college work and drivers studies, I have returned once more to the foggy barrow downs to discuss Tolkien amongst like minded individuals.

To address the topic of favorite chapter title in Fellowship, it would probably be “The Ring Goes South”. I feel like the name is very simplistic and very straightforward in itself, almost as if the title is following the hurried pace of the Fellowship with every step.

My favorite chapter would be a combination of “The Ring goes South” and “A Journey in the Dark”, both very excellent presentations of the fellowship bickering and interacting with each other during their mission. From the discussions on the evils of Moria to Pippin getting on Gandalf’s nerves with his foolishness, this chapter in terms of character interaction and bonding is one of my favorites.

In terms of favorite characters in Fellowship, it would definitely be Boromir, his relationship with Faramir and subtle moments of caring actions with the hobbits definetly warmed him up to myself.

[Alassë Estel]

One of my very favorite things about The Lord Of The Rings overall, is that Tolkien ties everything up so nicely and everyone has a happy ending. Now obviously there were still sad parts like Gollum's story, Saruman's treachery, Denethor's gruesome end, etcetera, and things one always wonders about like the Entwives, or the blue wizards. But by and far there are no loose ends and no one is forgotten. The four hobbits see Barliman Butterbur again, and dear old Bill the pony is not forgotten. We are not left to wonder whether or not the hobbits settle down and start their own families, and Tolkien even tells us about Erebor and Dale, how they were attacked and all that became of them. Even poor destable Lobelia Sackville-Baggins is given a decent ending. My favorite characters are Samwise Gamgee, Gandalf, and Faramir. Sam is a simple fellow, but he has such a strong spirit and a good deal of sheer pluck. And though is unlearned, he has much wisdom, even though I think he would be surprised to hear it said of him. Gandalf. He always has comfort for those who are afraid, encouragement for the desparaging, and cheer for the mournful. Often it strikes me that he carries a great burden of worries and concerns which he keeps and bears himself. Always he is the level headed leader. I have heard it said that of the five Istari, Gandalf was perhaps the only one to fulfill his duty. Saruman was corrupted. And Radagast, though he surely had his place (I have nothing against him, in fact I have always liked him), over the years he seemed to grow more reclusive, and keep only the company of the beasts and birds, instead of keeping hope in men's hearts and a watch on evil. And thus, he sort of fades away. It is unclear what became of the blue wizards. Perhaps they died in their quests. But then, Gandalf was sent back because his duty remained yet unfulfilled. One would assume that it would be so also with the blue wizards. Perhaps they became hermits and hid themselves away similar to Radagast. At any rate, they are a mystery. But Gandalf day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year carries on. It is he who carefully watches the seemingly sleeping powers of darkness. He keeps guard on the realms of men, elves amd dwarves aiding when needed. He puts to right things that are wrong. For instance, if there is a dragon to be slain, it is Gandalf who orchestrates it's demise. Finally, after his great and enduring efforts, Sauron is cast down. His purpose is complete. He leaves the lands where he has loved and suffered for so long to return home across the sea, his part in the tale is at long last over. And as far as we are told, he is the only one of his order to do so. Faramir is one of my favorites because he is a man of great wisdom and virtue. It was always impresssed me when after all his prying into the purpose of Frodo and Sam, he finally gets the knowledge he seeks, but with prudence and control over himself he forbids them to tell anymore. For me, changing completely the character of Faramir was one of the greatest flaws in Peter Jackson's movies. They are not to be considered the same person. This is a lot more than I intended to write. But there it is. A few of my very favorite characters and themes.

[Mithadan]

Tolkien was certainly thorough and detail-oriented. This comes from taking more that 13 years to write, re-write and re-write again a complex tale with inter-woven story lines. As is commented in other recent threads, Tolkien prepared charts showing where the members of the Fellowship were after they separated, specifically to ensure consistency.

I will not review each character here, but it is worth mentioning that in one of his letters, Tolkien characterizes Sam as the "real hero" of the story. It seems that you appreciate his role as well.