[Bêthberry]

As I read through Frodo and Sam's journey through Mordor, quenching for thirst, I actually found myself feeling extremely parched. When I finally took a drink of water, it was like finding that little depressed stream that the hobbits found, only mine of course was clean and clear. It happened more than once, so it wasn't just coincidence. The words of Tolkien are the only words I have read in a story that have actually made me physically feel what the characters were feeling. This is one of the many powers of Tolkien!

They are not the only ones who have such an effect on me, I think it is general in the literature. It also depends, however, on your own dispositions to be influenced so. But, necessary to say, I think that Tolkien produces this effect in a larger scale than an average writer.

Moving from winter cocooning to spring activity requires a substantial amount of effort to overcome winter lethargy and the kind of procrastination that readers such as I are prone to and I find Mr. Gamgee's faithful words to be a fount of powerful, positive thinking. In fact, I suspect that the depiction of Sam could well have been instrumental in the writing of a popular treatise on happiness and success.

So there you have it. I use my gardening shears to allow me to eavestrop on neighbours' conversations and I feel absolutely that I am modelling Tolkien.

Perhaps we should be thankful that Tolkien did not write pornography.