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Hamfast Gamgee
Tol Eressea
Nov 25 2018, 11:55pm
Post #1 of 11
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A question about boltholes
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As it is a feature in Tolkien's writings. But there are different types I have noticed and all have their strengths and weaknesses and I wonder which is preferable. Is it better to have a more mortal bolthole like the Prancing Pony. Of course it will not last against an attack by the Nazguy l, but it gives a bit of refuge as Aragorn said, the Nazgul are not likely to attack an inn with people and light, but of course, the travellors cannot stay there long. But at least they do know this. Then again, somewhere like Rivendell seems to be better.It can defeat the Nazgul and give a refugee and somewhere to take stock for a while. But long-term is it any better? Like Lorien, it is still only temporary. And after a while, one has to leave that place as well. Possibly it gives a false sense of security.
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Ataahua
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Nov 26 2018, 3:10am
Post #3 of 11
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as it was created expressly to hide the Elves from Morgoth's forces and keep them safe. Numenor, not so much, as the island was given for services rendered rather than to keep the Edain out of harm's way.
The Prancing Pony? I guess it could be used for 'hiding in plain sight' - a soft target that's easily overcome, but where you can be a mingling face among many and so be entirely overlooked. Whereas if you go to a place known as a safe haven, such as Rivendell, the approaches might be watched and you could be jumped before you even get there.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Ataahua's stories
(This post was edited by Ataahua on Nov 26 2018, 3:13am)
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Darkstone
Immortal
Nov 26 2018, 12:35pm
Post #5 of 11
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I've always taken it as a pre-arranged (usually) place to escape to when in danger. Like say a tornado shelter, or a survivalist's cabin in the woods. It fits in with Tolkien's story structure of journey/refuge/journey/refuge/etc/etc.
It's also an escape hatch in animal dens, but I don't think that's meant here.
******************************************
"Begone, foul dwimmerlaik, lord of carrion! Leave the dead in peace!"
"Come not between the Nazgul and his prey! Or he will not slay thee in
thy turn. He will bear thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond
all darkness, where thy flesh shall be devoured, and thy shrivelled
mind be left naked to the Lidless Eye."
"Do what you will; but I will hinder it, if I may."
"Hinder me? Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!"
"But no living man am I! I am Eowyn, daughter of Theodwyn!"
"Er, really? My mother's name was Theodwyn, too!"
"No way!"
"Way!"
"Wow! Let's stop fighting and be best friends!"
"Cool!!"
-Zack Snyder's The Return of the King
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Otaku-sempai
Immortal
Nov 26 2018, 1:13pm
Post #6 of 11
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According to the Encarta World English Dictionary: "a place of escape, especially for an animal fleeing from danger". The Secret Door in the side of Erebor was a bolthole for Thror and his family.
"For a brief time I was here; and for a brief time I mattered." - Harlan Ellison
(This post was edited by Otaku-sempai on Nov 26 2018, 1:18pm)
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Morthoron
Gondor
Nov 27 2018, 1:13am
Post #7 of 11
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I don''t believe Tolkien used the term "bolthole" ever. And I mean "ever" as in "never".
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Please visit my blog...The Dark Elf File...a slighty skewed journal of music and literary comment, fan-fiction and interminable essays.
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noWizardme
Half-elven
Nov 27 2018, 9:36am
Post #8 of 11
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I’m not sure I understand your point: We don’t have to stick only to Tolkien’s vocabulary to discuss Tolkien’s work, presumably?
~~~~~~
"Go down to the shovel store and take your pick." Traditional prank played on dwarves when they start down the mine.
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noWizardme
Half-elven
Nov 27 2018, 9:48am
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It’s a mostly “British English” term
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....maybe that’s why it was opaque to some of us. I think it comes originally from the architecture of rabbit warrens, which enables the rabbits to vanish down an emergency escape, to the disappointment of someone hoping for rabbit stew. But I’m familiar with it meaning something a bit like “hideout”.
I don’t think Frodo ever tries to hide himself and the Ring away - it’s an option that Gandalf rules out early on. Frodo does move between refuges, and to me that makes practical sense (they keep getting into trouble and needing resupply). I can also see a sense in which the refuges are each a temptation. But none of them are safe, so Frodo struggles on again to the only place his problem can be solved.
~~~~~~
"Go down to the shovel store and take your pick." Traditional prank played on dwarves when they start down the mine.
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Hamfast Gamgee
Tol Eressea
Dec 1 2018, 11:04pm
Post #10 of 11
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I would agree that none of these hiding places are permanent
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Is everyone happy with hiding places btw?  But a lot of them do provide some temporary relief. But the point I was trying to make was that some of them are more mortal hiding places which are just hidden, but some have a more magical feeling to them as the Elven ones. But the Elven hiding places are still only temporary really even if they feel safer.
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CuriousG
Half-elven
Dec 2 2018, 3:00pm
Post #11 of 11
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I like Henneth Annun as a bolthole
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It's the one mortal place that feels a little magical to me, maybe because of the waterfalls, maybe because Faramir seems so noble, he's almost an Elf.
I certainly agree the Elven places feel safer than the mortal ones. And Rivendell with those flashflood rivers that wipe out enemies--that makes you feel awfully safe there.
(I'm fine with "bolthole," since it's easy to google. I learned of it a few years back when I saw headlines about billionaires treating New Zealand as a bolthole.)
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