Reviews (34)

PSW · 7 September 2021 · Chapter 8: "It was Pity That Stayed His Hand"

Signum University :-P

PSW · 7 September 2021 · Chapter 8: "It was Pity That Stayed His Hand"

A nice look at this topic, and very apropos for today’s world. As you say, each of these decisions of pity was so very important. He entire world shifts without even one of them. Something for us to remember in our own times, certainly. I saw in the last update (which I haven’t yet had a chance to read) that you were studying at Sigmun University! I literally just heard of it last week — I am very intrigued. Has it been (or was it) a good experience?

sue · 29 June 2020 · Chapter 15: Nienna, Lady of Pity and Mercy, and the Fall of Sauron

I have so very many questions that need scholarly exploration: LOTR Culture Questions: Why has the material culture not advanced in thousands of years? Many of the warriors - esp Rohirim - have horns (and LOTS of leather), but there is not a SINGLE mentioned cow in ME. How is it that half elves can reproduce? Cross species matings -when they work - have offspring that are 'sports' ie - sterile. Why do elves not practice animal husbandry? How is the population fed? Settled civilization depends on agriculture. Where does their silk come from. Linen? Cotton? Why do the Rohirrim not herd sheep or cattle? Why are there no antelopes on the plains? Why don't elves have dogs? Hunting hounds? Falconry? Why hasn't anyone discovered papermaking. With all the parchment they use, who has the sheep& goats? If they have glass (glazed windows) why not optics? If the elves have such great healers, why is their medicine so primitive? Where do they get the tallow and beeswax for all the candles? Who grows the grapes and barley for all the alcoholic drinks. And what about mead - that takes a lot of honey. And by the way, tastes more like champaign not sweet For all the burning of orc's bodies, where do they get the fuel? It takes a lot of wood and several days to cremate ONE human body...and high heat. Experimental archaeology at Hadrian's Wall cremated a pig - Roman fashion - and it took nearly 2 days and hundreds of pounds of wood. When stories speak of a "few" elves who have not yet passed to Valinor, why are there almost always servants , cooks, chamber maids still around to take care of the nobles? What triggers elves to stop aging… they DO start out as infants and children but at some point it would become difficult to tell how old an elf is. When Elrond or Aragorn make a salve - what carriers are they using. Usual is fat (lard, oil etc) and wax - usually beeswax. Do orcs have congenital hip dysplasia so that the move with such a shuffling gait? Some repeats here...I make notes as I think of them Questions on ME Economics Where does the silk come from...fibers...yarns...weaving...brocade? Where are the sheep...processors...spinners...weavers? Flax...same as above...although more likely to be a cottage industry How advanced is the technology? Spinning wheels? Obviously jacquard=type looms for brocades. There must have been some very odd cloth woven during and just after the Ring-War years. All or most of the sheep were probably killed/eaten. Flax crops were over trodden, retting ponds polluted. Silk trade from more sub-tropical countries was certainly interrupted. So weavers must have been using up the yarns on hand. Ramifications of immortality: Its all well and good if you are noble, like most of the characters, but how does an elf find him/herself as the one who cleans the privies in Rivendell? Eww. (One writer solved this handily by positing that elvish alimentary systems were very efficient and so they pelleted - like deer, rabbits, llamas.) Or any of the myriad other servile jobs. Is there a cash economy? Completely feudal trickle-down. Are there elvish paupers? Is there a middle class? Why, in the thousands of years, over 3 ages, has there not been an industrial revolution? I can see hundreds of years or even two thousand. If elvish society is so static - where are architects, engineers, etc educated. There seems to be a 'parlor school' for young noble elves. How is everyone else educated. Are they mostly illiterate. Why are there no universities? Or even trade schools...oh yeah, apprenticeship system. They knew about gunpowder - fireworks, bomb under Helm's deep why not guns? They knew enough complex chemistry for ale, beer and wine; steel and glass, though, escapes them. Gold, silver and mithril are sought after enough to be mined yet not in circulation as cash Fashions never change If ME uses oil lamps - where do they get the oil...is there whaling? It seems as if only the Hobbits have a complex agrarian society based on barter and small cash. So where do they get that cash? Why do wildfaring hunters only hunt rabbits and sometimes deer? There are a lot of other small game to be had and eaten. Thanks for reading and maybe addressing some of my questions.

shirebound · 20 June 2020 · Chapter 15: Nienna, Lady of Pity and Mercy, and the Fall of Sauron

In the end, pity and mercy save Middle-earth. It is pity that comes from the wisdom of the heart that transcends logic and reason. ...he learned instead at the feet of Nienna. And that made all the difference. What a beautiful essay!

shirebound · 6 December 2018 · Chapter 14: The Chosen Paths of Bilbo and Frodo of the Shire

I enjoyed reading this, and appreciate having these comparisons and insights in one place. Nicely done.

PSW · 1 April 2018 · Chapter 5: A Man of Quality: Faramir, Captain of Gondor

You know, I have never really thought to draw the parallels between Faramir and Sam as you have done here, but it makes perfect sense. Is also funny -- as Sam has always been my favorite Hobbit, Faramir has always been my favorite non-Hobbit. There's just something about them ... There were so many things that grabbed me throughout the course of this article that I pretty much gave up on trying to remember each one specifically. Suffice it to say, Faramir's outlook and actions are inspiring and inspired. As you show, there is much in his character for which each of us would do well to strive. I very much enjoyed it -- thx for writing! I've also been reading the beginning of your 'Moments of Grace ...' book. There are a few things in the first couple of chapters (among others, the tension between Bilbo's Tookish side and Baggins side, and how to draw them into balance) that very much speak to a situation I am currently discerning in my own life -- 'where to next?', in short. I very much appreciate the insights. Thanks so much for your work on these!

PSW · 8 September 2016 · Chapter 4: The Heroism of Obedience and Love

I have always loved Sam so much. It is wonderful to me how this simple soul is showcased as a hero -- in some ways 'the' hero. At least, he and Frodo were 'the' hero together. Truly an example of God working through out weaknesses. Very nice, thanks for writing!

PSW · 6 September 2016 · Chapter 3: On Grace and Free Will in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

Freedom is the ability to turn away from what we want in order to do that which we know we should. I do love the line in the ROTK movie between Theoden and his men -- 'Too few have come. We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor.' 'No we cannot. But we will meet them in battle nonetheless.' So much inspiration throughout this wonderful story... Thanks for writing!

PSW · 5 September 2016 · Chapter 2: The Fiat of Iluvatar's Children

I'm so glad to be back to this! I had intended to read more last year, but I've been in a bit of a rut and have only just started reading anything w any substance to it again... ;-) There was so much in here that caught my eye, but a couple of things really stood out: 1) having to make the choice to say yes again and again, not just once. So true for all of us. And 2) Aragorn's comment that there are some things it's better to begin than refuse, even if the end is dark. I think this really wraps into Sam's comment later that Frodo knows what he must do, he's just working up the courage. This is really something to keep in mind, and most of the time a very hard thing... Thanks so much for writing, I very much enjoyed. Hopefully I'll get to the next one a lot sooner. :-P I bought your book as well, and am looking forward to reading it as well!

Larner · 11 June 2016 · Chapter 13: The Enigmatic Presence of Tom Bombadil and Goldberry

Oh, I love this, Antane. You know how much I honor Tom!

shirebound · 31 May 2016 · Chapter 13: The Enigmatic Presence of Tom Bombadil and Goldberry

His strength to command others is great, but it does not flow from a tainted source I love that. And your perception that he and Goldberry "bring back the hobbits’ love of nature, which was damaged by the malice in the Old Forest" is very interesting and perceptive. I enjoyed reading this. My loving thoughts to you and your family as your dad goes through these challenges. *hearts;

Lyana · 30 May 2016 · Chapter 13: The Enigmatic Presence of Tom Bombadil and Goldberry

Tom Bombadil and Goldberry have enchanted me since the first time I read LOTR. They are indeed absolutely pivotal to the narrative! I was so sad to see that he was entirely left out of the movies; I always thought that Robin Williams would have been incredible in that part...

periantari · 20 October 2015 · Chapter 5: A Man of Quality: Faramir, Captain of Gondor

Very well thought out and really said all the points that i wanted to make regarding why Faramir is such a man of quality. I think there are really good references you made and i think you even mentioned that Frodo and Faramir may have some similarities. Also enjoyed the point that it was meant that Boromir had went on the Quest and if Faramir had, then the fate of all would've been quite different and it'll be a different story all together. :)

PSW · 13 October 2015 · Chapter 1: Did Frodo Fail?

So, I just really found this site, and I was so excited to come across this series! I will definitely be reading them over the next few months, as I find any time that permits me to ponder deeper things... :-) This was very interesting, lots to think about. One particular bit that jumped out at me was "Indeed, it is only after Frodo fulfills his vocation that his will fails at last. Even if Ring-bearer and Ring-destroyer is thought by others and by Frodo himself to be one and the same, they are actually two different missions in God’s mind, for He knows it is too much for one person to sustain." It is not something I had really thought about before in the context of Frodo and the Ring ... but is really quite something to remember -- that often we take on without realizing it more than we are intended to. Another bit was "Nowhere in the text are decisions freely made by individual characters or groups abrogated." This is something that I have had occasion to think on in the past, and is something (at least I think) that is also quite difficult to remember at times. We cannot control all the circumstances around us... Thanks so much for posting this, I look forward to reading the next one!

shirebound · 11 October 2015 · Chapter 12: 'Where Shall I Find Rest?': 'The Sea-Bell' and The Post-Tramatic Stress of Frodo Baggins

Frodo has not reached this point of understanding yet himself, and so he does not realize that his will was the least free then to make its own choice. With all the other memories stolen from him were the lessons learned after Weathertop, at Minas Morgul, and in Mordor, about the coercive powers of evil to subvert his will to its own. What a fascinating and perceptive conclusion. Your essay is wonderful, and has given me a lot to think about.

Larner · 10 October 2015 · Chapter 12: 'Where Shall I Find Rest?': 'The Sea-Bell' and The Post-Tramatic Stress of Frodo Baggins

Definitely thought-provoking and well worth the reading. So many of these revelations do I recognize in my own writing and that of others as well as yours. Thanks for bringing it all together.

shirebound · 12 October 2013 · Chapter 8: "It was Pity That Stayed His Hand"

Bilbo bases his response, as Frodo does later, on what has happened, rather than give into fears of what might happen or even is likely to but has not occurred yet. Frodo sees Gollum for the first time, not only with his own eyes but with those of Bilbo’s and Gandalf’s. Those are wonderfully perceptive statements.

shirebound · 6 October 2013 · Chapter 11: One Lucky Hobbit: The Spiritual Journey of Bilbo Baggins

I enjoyed reading this very much. A very thoughtful and well-researched piece, which weaves many disparate events together beautifully.

Larner · 6 October 2013 · Chapter 11: One Lucky Hobbit: The Spiritual Journey of Bilbo Baggins

What was intended to be a lighthearted children's tale unconsciously proved a lesson in high morality, responsibility, patience, and courage; so the sequel proves as well. How we love Bilbo!

Linda Hoyland · 4 October 2013 · Chapter 11: One Lucky Hobbit: The Spiritual Journey of Bilbo Baggins

A great look at Bilbo and his part in the greater scheme of things.

Lindelea · 26 May 2013 · Chapter 10: The Sacrifice of Frodo

Excellent distillation of a massive work into a theme worth much meditation. Thank you for this carefully thought-out, exquisitely crafted food for thought.

Larner · 24 May 2013 · Chapter 9: The Measure of Love

I consider this the most profound essay of the entire series. Certainly it is what I have ever rejoiced in seeing in the relationship between Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee, and the most powerful draw bringing me back to rereading the books again and again for over forty-five years now. Thank you!

Linda Hoyland · 12 May 2013 · Chapter 7: Lessons in Life Taught by Hobbits

I enjoyed this thought provoking essay very much.

Larner · 11 May 2013 · Chapter 7: Lessons in Life Taught by Hobbits

Each individual in Tolkien's works rises or falls in accordance with their choices, and definitely the seven Hobbits, Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Fredegar, and Rosie each faces situations that try them mightily and rise far higher than any expected of themselves. A wonderful example of the trust we are expected to show that we might each become what is desired of us.

Larner · 5 May 2013 · Chapter 6: My Brother's Keeper: The Spiritual Kinship of Frodo and Sméagol

The deleted scenes from the PJ movies in which Frodo becomes his own Gollum come to mind as I read this. Frodo came close to reaching that state, even as in the books he warns Faramir that if his quest is not met there may come a time when the ruins of what was once Minas Anor may face those already existing where Minas Ithil has become Minas Morgul across a ruined land where all things have become Mordor. Perhaps this is why he seeks to nurture the remnants of Smeagol's nature within Gollum, that he not become Gollum's spiritual fellow--or supplant him as Gollum.