The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Shell-shocked Frodo .... or .... PTSD in LOTR

Bêthberry · 12-21-2006, 07:35 PM

Okay, I've enjoyed the posts here and in previous threads about Frodo. What I'm going to do is ask a step beyond.

What would be the story purpose in presenting this terrible after-effect of battle? What I mean is, does the story exist to portray this horrible effect on soldiers, or does the story use this to characterise Frodo? If the latter, is it a way to garner sympathy amongst readers for Frodo?

The other fascinating question which arises is how this psychologically modern understanding of the effects of the horrors of war on solders melds with the other aspects of the story which herald the warrior epic and the grand, marshalling effect of glorious death in battle.

12-21-2006, 07:35 PM	#7
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Is Tolkien having his cake and eating it too? Okay, I've enjoyed the posts here and in previous threads about Frodo. What I'm going to do is ask a step beyond. What would be the story purpose in presenting this terrible after-effect of battle? What I mean is, does the story exist to portray this horrible effect on soldiers, or does the story use this to characterise Frodo? If the latter, is it a way to garner sympathy amongst readers for Frodo? The other fascinating question which arises is how this psychologically modern understanding of the effects of the horrors of war on solders melds with the other aspects of the story which herald the warrior epic and the grand, marshalling effect of glorious death in battle. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.