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One Ringer
Tol Eressea
Aug 3 2012, 4:31pm
Views: 427
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Over Hill and Under Hill Discussion - Part Three
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Captured, and faced with the wrath of the Goblin King, the dwarfs are near death when the goblins are assaulted by an unknown power---
The yells and yammering, croaking, jabbering and jabbering; howls, growls and curses; shrieking and skriking that followed were beyond description. Several hundred wild cats and wolves being roasted slowly alive together would not have compared with it.
Once again Tolkien uses what I feel is lyrical writing with regards to the goblins. Thoughts? What about “skriking”? Is this even a real word? Is the narrative caught in the moment that it can’t comprehend what is happening? What about the gruesome analogy?
As Gandalf comes to the rescue, we are reintroduced to the blades---
This sword’s name was Glamdring the Foe-hammer, if you remember. The goblins just called it Beater, and hated it worse than Biter if possible. Orcrist, too, had been saved; for Gandalf had brought it along as well, snatching it from one of the terrified guards.
There are many repetitions in the text throughout the novel, and then there’s just as many moments where Tolkien makes an aside (“if you remember”). Is this his way of making the book more intimate? Repetition is common in many great fantasy stories. Is this The Hobbit’s way of capturing that tradition?
In the madness of the situation, is it feasible that Gandalf would have retrieved Orcrist? Is he more agile than Tolkien is letting on?
Gandalf and Thorin stand to fend off the pursuing goblins---
They came scurrying round the corner in full cry, and found Goblin-cleaver, and Foe-hammer shining cold and bright right in their astonished eyes. The ones in front dropped their torches and gave one yell before they were killed.
How many goblins should we believe are chasing, or in this case, manning the front lines? Is there meant to be some magic in the blades that allow Gandalf and Thorin to slay so many so quick? Are the goblins merely mesmerized and in shock that they find no time to defend? Is there something else at play here?
FOTR 10th Anniversary Music Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33xJU3AIwsg
"You do not let your eyes see nor your ears hear, and that which is outside your daily life is not of account to you. Ah, it is the fault of our science that it wants to explain all; and if it explain not, then it says there is nothing to explain."
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Over Hill and Under Hill Discussion - Part Three
