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ElanorTX
Dor-Lomin
Dec 13 2008, 3:35pm
Post #1 of 6
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VI.5. The Steward and the King #3 The Wizard
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At NEB's suggestion, I am putting days 2 through 4 up as open discussion and will chime in as able.
Gandalf
age (in Middle-earth) about 1900 years
last seen at Field of Cormallen, April 8
Most of my questions deal with the White Tree.
#1 Why does Aragorn need a sign to know that his desire for fruitfulness will be granted?
"I shall not wholly fail if anything can still grow fair in days to come."
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ElanorTX
Dor-Lomin
Dec 13 2008, 3:46pm
Post #2 of 6
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Gandalf's age about 2000 years //
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"I shall not wholly fail if anything can still grow fair in days to come."
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sador
Gondolin
Dec 16 2008, 7:18am
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As for your question - the white tree is the sign of conituity with the heritage of Numenor. And Aragorn could not be sure what was the cost of the War, as regarding his hopes (for instance, he definitely didn't forsee that Frodo would have no healing). There is the traumatic memory of Arvedui, the last chance to reunite the kingdoms (who failed, even though Angmar was destroyed); or even of Nimrodel and Amroth - could he be sure the ways are safe? Next chapter, we will here that Treebeard actually forestalled what might have been an ambush with dire consequences (after all, Celebrian left Middle-Earth after surviving the ordeal of being a prisoner of Orcs), and if the Three have indeed failed (which Aragorn couldn't know for sure) - did Elrond have the power to protect her? Would he accompany her?
The sceptre of Annuminas which Elrond holds is also similar to the White Tree, and I suspect was made to resemble it. The White Tree flowering is also a sign of hope that Aragorn might receive that heirloom.
All this hasn't got much to do with Gandalf, has it? But note that in Minas Tirith, Gandalf told Denethor he was also a steward, of a greater realm. The name The Steward and the King might have more than one meaning, and Gandalf taking Aragorn to the hallow, might be another case of a steward surrendering authority to King Elessar (which makes three in this chapter).
"I had so much to do here; and packing is such a bother" - Bilbo
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Dreamdeer
Doriath
Dec 16 2008, 7:32pm
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Who doesn't crave reassurance about the future, especially after trying times? Tolkien wrote this at a time when, regardless of who won WWII, all of Europe faced an enormous, daunting prospect of rebuilding. Anyone would have snapped at a sign that it could even be possible.
Life is beautiful and dangerous! Beware! Enjoy!
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batik
Dor-Lomin
Dec 17 2008, 1:15am
Post #5 of 6
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But note that in Minas Tirith, Gandalf told Denethor he was also a steward, of a greater realm. The name The Steward and the King might have more than one meaning, and Gandalf taking Aragorn to the hallow, might be another case of a steward surrendering authority to King Elessar (which makes three in this chapter).
Excellent! Never thought of that but I bet Tolkien did!
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 21 2008, 3:32am
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That's a great catch! Of course: Gandalf's work is finished, and just as Faramir handed his white rod to Aragorn, so too Gandalf must have a symbol to "pass along". But unlike Faramir, who was requested to retain his position, Gandalf cannot remain. What symbol of the West, then, is left to Aragorn? The White Tree, the living White Rod of Stewardship. Thus is the stewardship of Middle-earth passed to Men.
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
"It struck me last night that you might write a fearfully good romantic drama, with as much of the 'supernatural' as you cared to introduce. Have you ever thought of it?"
-Geoffrey B. Smith, letter to JRR Tolkien, 1915
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