The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Tom Bombadil

Balfrog · 01-11-2017, 07:19 PM

Morthoron

Unfortunately I only have time to respond to your first and last comments – but in due course I will reply to the rest.

Yes, I sense some frustration, impatience and doubt on your part – but please look back and try to realize that Ms. Seth has already brought much to the table. I provided you with the “fatherless' example, but there are certainly others - such as her explanation of what “a vow of poverty” is. To me that makes far more sense than what Halfir (on the Plaza) or Michael Martinez have proposed. Moreover there are neglected parts of the text such as “open doors” and the significance of the two standing stones Frodo passed between and the resulting time lapse – that nobody else seems to have put some coherent understanding to.

In our communication (and I'm pretty sure she would repeat the same to you if you E-mailed her), Ms. Seth has relayed that the upcoming promised revelations will not be a repeat of the infamous Teleporno incident. I have extracted an agenda from her but unfortunately not a time-table:

(a) Finish up the last essay of four on Goldberry (again there are some interesting matters here, never before discussed, which mesh into a theory at least as plausibile as any others I have seen – hopefully you have viewed these threads).

(b) Provide a five part set of essays on the significance of the colors of Tom & Goldberry – again approaching the subject from a different angle than anyone else. Out of this a highly significant matter which has been missed by all researchers will be exposed.

(c) Provide an essay that exposes the significance of the hill/standing stone encountered on the journey across the Downs as well as the cause of the phospheresence in the barrow.

(d) Provide an essay on the importance of the 'west' to the Bombadil chapters.

(e) Provide a two part essay that discusses the 'new information' I have alluded to on 'allegorical' Tom and further a discussion of other symbolism buried in the Bombadillian chapters.

I really do hope that you change your mind and continue to interact - because I have found the discourse quite stimulating. In any case, I hope you keep looking in – as I will try to keep the thread alive to report on the promised essays – and that which I feel is noteworthy within them.

Nerwen

“To indicate that the term "allegory" was doubtful, and should be taken with a grain of salt. This seems to me quite possible.”

Except that this doesn't always grammatically make sense. Take for example:

'romance' has grown out of 'allegory'.
Letter #71

If we take your proposed route, things don't jive if what's in single quotes is taken with “a grain of salt”!

I fully understand if you doubt my own English grammar education – but perhaps another English Professor's work might persuade you. Take a look at Author of the 20th Century by the well renowned Tolkien scholar and philologist – Tom Shippey. There are many examples within that text that similarly employ single quotes around a singular word where again the purpose appears to be to grammatically highlight or make the word distinct through separation. For instance on pg. 103:

The word that describes the structure is 'interlace'.
Nevertheless the diagram may illustrate the nature of the narrative threads and their 'interlacing'.

Again, the sentences above have no coherency if we adopt a “grain of salt” interpretation.

01-11-2017, 07:19 PM	#73
Balfrog Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 87	Morthoron Unfortunately I only have time to respond to your first and last comments – but in due course I will reply to the rest. Yes, I sense some frustration, impatience and doubt on your part – but please look back and try to realize that Ms. Seth has already brought much to the table. I provided you with the “fatherless' example, but there are certainly others - such as her explanation of what “a vow of poverty” is. To me that makes far more sense than what Halfir (on the Plaza) or Michael Martinez have proposed. Moreover there are neglected parts of the text such as “open doors” and the significance of the two standing stones Frodo passed between and the resulting time lapse – that nobody else seems to have put some coherent understanding to. In our communication (and I'm pretty sure she would repeat the same to you if you E-mailed her), Ms. Seth has relayed that the upcoming promised revelations will not be a repeat of the infamous Teleporno incident. I have extracted an agenda from her but unfortunately not a time-table: (a) Finish up the last essay of four on Goldberry (again there are some interesting matters here, never before discussed, which mesh into a theory at least as plausibile as any others I have seen – hopefully you have viewed these threads). (b) Provide a five part set of essays on the significance of the colors of Tom & Goldberry – again approaching the subject from a different angle than anyone else. Out of this a highly significant matter which has been missed by all researchers will be exposed. (c) Provide an essay that exposes the significance of the hill/standing stone encountered on the journey across the Downs as well as the cause of the phospheresence in the barrow. (d) Provide an essay on the importance of the 'west' to the Bombadil chapters. (e) Provide a two part essay that discusses the 'new information' I have alluded to on 'allegorical' Tom and further a discussion of other symbolism buried in the Bombadillian chapters. I really do hope that you change your mind and continue to interact - because I have found the discourse quite stimulating. In any case, I hope you keep looking in – as I will try to keep the thread alive to report on the promised essays – and that which I feel is noteworthy within them. Nerwen “To indicate that the term "allegory" was doubtful, and should be taken with a grain of salt. This seems to me quite possible.” Except that this doesn't always grammatically make sense. Take for example: 'romance' has grown out of 'allegory'. Letter #71 If we take your proposed route, things don't jive if what's in single quotes is taken with “a grain of salt”! I fully understand if you doubt my own English grammar education – but perhaps another English Professor's work might persuade you. Take a look at Author of the 20th Century by the well renowned Tolkien scholar and philologist – Tom Shippey. There are many examples within that text that similarly employ single quotes around a singular word where again the purpose appears to be to grammatically highlight or make the word distinct through separation. For instance on pg. 103: The word that describes the structure is 'interlace'. Nevertheless the diagram may illustrate the nature of the narrative threads and their 'interlacing'. Again, the sentences above have no coherency if we adopt a “grain of salt” interpretation.