N.E. Brigand
Gondolin
Aug 5 2009, 7:49pm
Views: 2230
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There was an article published in "Mallorn" a couple years ago.
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I know it only from David Bratman's positive comments about it in "The Year's Work in Tolkien Studies 2006" essay in Tolkien Studies 6, which appeared last month. The article, so I understand, argues that Gandalf threatens Gollum with real physical fire to induce him to reveal the truth about the Ring. (Perhaps someone has read the article, or has access to Bratman's response, in which he praises the author for, so to speak, holding Tolkien's feet to the fire?) And I remember that Reading Room participants have so interpreted that passages from "The Shadow of the Past". So I see nothing unbelievable in the discussion underway -- in fact, I can't remember anyone previously suggesting, as you have, that what Gandalf did was confront Gollum with some terrible vision of holiness. It's a neat interpretation, and I would agree with you, and against squire, that such an act, like confronting a vampire with a cross, would not be torture: but no such act is possible in the real world.
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We're discussing The Hobbit in the Reading Room, Mar. 23 - Aug. 9. Everyone is welcome!
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How to find old Reading Room discussions.
(This post was edited by N.E. Brigand on Aug 5 2009, 7:51pm)
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