The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum


Visit The *EVEN NEWER* Barrow-Downs Photo Page

Go Back   The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum > Middle-Earth Discussions > The Books
User Name
Password
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts


 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
Old 12-05-2003, 10:50 AM   #23
Lyta_Underhill
Haunted Halfling
 
Lyta_Underhill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: an uncounted length of steps--floating between air molecules
Posts: 841
Lyta_Underhill has just left Hobbiton.
Sting

Quote:
Dictionary.com defines a foil as One that by contrast underscores or enhances the distinctive characteristics of another
In that case, I suppose Gollum would be more a foil to Frodo than would Sauron. It is through interaction with Gollum and the ultimate difference in their outlooks and reactions to their adventures that the essential nobility of Frodo and the entrenched "fallenness" of Smeagol/Gollum is underscored. Also Gandalf/Saruman qualifies in this way, since the two are similarly positioned and their actions underscore the fact that one is fallen to evil and the other a crusader against it. I wonder if Sauron's incorporeal form means something in this regard, since he then would be placed as the lurking, yet unseen evil over Middle Earth. Would then the unseen forces for Good be his foil? Perhaps Eru in his grace, remains unseen, yet protects through providential goodwill the errand of Gandalf and the Fellowship and those who seek Him...just a thought anyway!

Cheers,
Lyta
__________________
“…she laid herself to rest upon Cerin Amroth; and there is her green grave, until the world is changed, and all the days of her life are utterly forgotten by men that come after, and elanor and niphredil bloom no more east of the Sea.”
Lyta_Underhill is offline   Reply With Quote
 


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:31 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.