The Significance of the Shire - Community in LotR - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Gandalf_theGrey · 10-29-2002, 05:33 PM

Hallo littlemanpoet.

* bows a friendly greeting *

What do you think of phrasing your theme thus ... LOTR as the struggle of free community pitted against the disenfranchised disunity caused by the Enemy and his Ring? From the strain created between Elves and Men by Isildur's keeping the Ring, to Gollum's becoming outcast from his society because of the Ring, contrasted with the coming together of once-estranged kindreds to form a willing Fellowship for the destruction of the Ring, and Sam's summing it all up on his homecoming with a comfortable "Well, I'm back." While Frodo as ring-bearer leaves the Shire, where had life been otherwise, he might've lived happily ever after, to the end of his days.

Another lens through which to view this topic I would proffer in the form of a poem which I deem might have some measure of applicability:

Rangers on their forest trail
Among strangers take their ale
Returning duty’s call with smiles
Protecting realms that stretch for miles
The less you have the more you see
The worth in breathing sunshine free
In the warmth of friends and kin
Home is better than an Inn.

Unremarked by folk unknown
With eyes as sharp as eagle’s own
Keeping teeth of wolves away
Where peaceful crops are grown by day
And kettles steam with stew at night
Round windows frame the firelit sight
Of the warmth of friends and kin
Home is better than an Inn.

Passing to the Age’s end
Soon the road will show a bend
Hope remains as shadows fall
In worthy folk, both big and small
Together against Enemy’s power
Heroic deeds will light the hour
For the warmth of friends and kin
Home is better than an Inn.

Gandalf the Grey

[ October 29, 2002: Message edited by: Gandalf_theGrey ]

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10-29-2002, 05:33 PM	#5
Gandalf_theGrey Visionary Spirit Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 633	Hallo littlemanpoet. * bows a friendly greeting * What do you think of phrasing your theme thus ... LOTR as the struggle of free community pitted against the disenfranchised disunity caused by the Enemy and his Ring? From the strain created between Elves and Men by Isildur's keeping the Ring, to Gollum's becoming outcast from his society because of the Ring, contrasted with the coming together of once-estranged kindreds to form a willing Fellowship for the destruction of the Ring, and Sam's summing it all up on his homecoming with a comfortable "Well, I'm back." While Frodo as ring-bearer leaves the Shire, where had life been otherwise, he might've lived happily ever after, to the end of his days. Another lens through which to view this topic I would proffer in the form of a poem which I deem might have some measure of applicability: Rangers on their forest trail Among strangers take their ale Returning duty’s call with smiles Protecting realms that stretch for miles The less you have the more you see The worth in breathing sunshine free In the warmth of friends and kin Home is better than an Inn. Unremarked by folk unknown With eyes as sharp as eagle’s own Keeping teeth of wolves away Where peaceful crops are grown by day And kettles steam with stew at night Round windows frame the firelit sight Of the warmth of friends and kin Home is better than an Inn. Passing to the Age’s end Soon the road will show a bend Hope remains as shadows fall In worthy folk, both big and small Together against Enemy’s power Heroic deeds will light the hour For the warmth of friends and kin Home is better than an Inn. Gandalf the Grey [ October 29, 2002: Message edited by: Gandalf_theGrey ]