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I think creating fear is something Tolkein really cant do very well. He really cant build up the tension, and when he describes something that could be scary it sounds evil and powerful but not, well not scary really.
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Galorme, I think I see what you're getting at. Tolkien certainly doesn't write with intent to make the reader's hair stand on end; his goal is not to provide mere chills and thrills. Nevertheless, I believe he does build up tension, albeit with subtle skill. The entire tone of the book is dark and grim, which also contributes to the "creepy" factor in particular parts.
I personally respond most to the aura of evil in many of the segments that have been mentioned in this thread. The presence of evil is oppressive, dark and dreadful, although not necessarily terrifying. I do not have to
fear evil to feel horror at its advent.
Does anyone understand what I'm getting at? [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] My exposition is over now.
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Oh I think The creepiest part was (don't laugh) the whole thing with the barrowwrights. It brought chills down my spine.
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Same here, Cherie Centaur! I'm not laughing. I was so surprised no one else had mentioned it!
I think the Dead Marshes is the other creepiest part for me. The whole sadness of the dead past and of those long-dead warriors effects me strongly, and when that is added to the horror that they weren't really there at all...
[ November 20, 2002: Message edited by: Nuranar ]