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the phantom · 12-20-2008, 01:43 PM

So, you're going to vote off the most rational person in the books, huh?

Let's examine Gandalf's Ring plot.

Frodo barely even made it out of the Shire. He had quite a bit of luck helping him out. And luck again in the Old Forest. And again at Bree. And let's not even talk about when he was captured passing into Mordor. An entire fortress kills its own population?! I mean- honestly! The Cirith Ungol incident was ridiculous luck. And then again he and Sam get herded into a pack of Orcs, and they aren't recognized, and even escape?

And then of course when it came down to it Frodo failed. He couldn't throw the Ring into the fire. Hardly a surprise since Gandalf had witnessed first-hand at the beginning of the book that Frodo was not capable of risking harm to the Ring (the cooking fire, remember, Frodo couldn't throw it into his own cooking fire for Eru's sake!).

What I'm saying is, Gandalf chose a path that was guaranteed to fail! I find it silly that he is actually rewarded for his silly decision, and people think he was somehow more wise than Boromir because he chose the path of suicide.

Boromir's reaction was much smarter. Gandalf acted like it was a given that the Ring would corrupt the user. How did he know that? Where was the scientific proof? Yeah, sure, we know from the author telling us, but the characters in the story knew nothing about that. They didn't have access to Tolkien's writings. Given the knowledge that they did possess, it was rather wrong of them to state that the Ring would for sure corrupt the wielder, as if it was some sort of proven fact.

It wasn't.

From the perspective of the reader, Boromir's choice was wrong, because we can see everything. But please remember, the characters within the book were not omniscient. They had limited knowledge. And given what they did know, Gandalf's Ring decision was absolutely dumb, and Boromir's was sensible.

Try putting yourself within the story for once. Then you will see people for what they really are.

++ Boromir

PS I forgot my most important point. Aganzir wants a Boromir victory for her birthday. That ought to be enough for anyone.

12-20-2008, 01:43 PM	#625
the phantom Beloved Shadow Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Stadium Posts: 5,971	So, you're going to vote off the most rational person in the books, huh? Let's examine Gandalf's Ring plot. Frodo barely even made it out of the Shire. He had quite a bit of luck helping him out. And luck again in the Old Forest. And again at Bree. And let's not even talk about when he was captured passing into Mordor. An entire fortress kills its own population?! I mean- honestly! The Cirith Ungol incident was ridiculous luck. And then again he and Sam get herded into a pack of Orcs, and they aren't recognized, and even escape? And then of course when it came down to it Frodo failed. He couldn't throw the Ring into the fire. Hardly a surprise since Gandalf had witnessed first-hand at the beginning of the book that Frodo was not capable of risking harm to the Ring (the cooking fire, remember, Frodo couldn't throw it into his own cooking fire for Eru's sake!). What I'm saying is, Gandalf chose a path that was guaranteed to fail! I find it silly that he is actually rewarded for his silly decision, and people think he was somehow more wise than Boromir because he chose the path of suicide. Boromir's reaction was much smarter. Gandalf acted like it was a given that the Ring would corrupt the user. How did he know that? Where was the scientific proof? Yeah, sure, we know from the author telling us, but the characters in the story knew nothing about that. They didn't have access to Tolkien's writings. Given the knowledge that they did possess, it was rather wrong of them to state that the Ring would for sure corrupt the wielder, as if it was some sort of proven fact. It wasn't. From the perspective of the reader, Boromir's choice was wrong, because we can see everything. But please remember, the characters within the book were not omniscient. They had limited knowledge. And given what they did know, Gandalf's Ring decision was absolutely dumb, and Boromir's was sensible. Try putting yourself within the story for once. Then you will see people for what they really are. ++ Boromir PS I forgot my most important point. Aganzir wants a Boromir victory for her birthday. That ought to be enough for anyone. __________________ the phantom has posted. This thread is now important.