Prophetic Elves? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bêthberry · 12-09-2003, 09:03 AM

Essex and All here, <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Foreshadow - an indication of what is to come.Prophetic - tending to indicate what is going to happenSeems the same to me. The two hobbits do not realise their own propheticality. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>The difference, I would humbly submit, lies in how the suspenseful indication is portrayed and by whom."Foreshadowing" is something which storytellers do to incite or arouse our anticipation (or participation) in the story, an indication of possible events to come. It is part of how storytellers create suspense so we will wonder how it all turns out.This is, I think, different from a character deliberately making prognostications about events, where the character is endowed with special ability to perceive the future (part of character depth?) If the hobbits do not realise their thoughts prefigure events, then they cannot be said to be prophetic, to have the power to perceive the future, [edit:] although it is true as Kalimac says that often prophecies are unclear until events bring them into focus.Thus, I would suggest that the story can foretell events (part of plot), but those places do not provide evidence that the characters are prescient (part of character). In determining if elves or hobbits are prophetic, we need to keep in mind this distinction in the craft of storytelling. Respectfully, Bêthberry[ 10:44 AM December 09, 2003: Message edited by: Bêthberry ]

12-09-2003, 09:03 AM	#17
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Essex and All here,<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Foreshadow - an indication of what is to come.<P>Prophetic - tending to indicate what is going to happen<P>Seems the same to me. The two hobbits do not realise their own propheticality.<P> <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>The difference, I would humbly submit, lies in how the suspenseful indication is portrayed and by whom.<P>"Foreshadowing" is something which storytellers do to incite or arouse our anticipation (or participation) in the story, an indication of possible events to come. It is part of how storytellers create suspense so we will wonder how it all turns out.<P>This is, I think, different from a character deliberately making prognostications about events, where the character is endowed with special ability to perceive the future (part of character depth?) If the hobbits do not realise their thoughts prefigure events, then they cannot be said to be prophetic, to have the power to perceive the future, [edit:] although it is true as Kalimac says that often prophecies are unclear until events bring them into focus.<P>Thus, I would suggest that the story can foretell events (part of plot), but those places do not provide evidence that the characters are prescient (part of character). <P>In determining if elves or hobbits are prophetic, we need to keep in mind this distinction in the craft of storytelling. <P>Respectfully,<BR>Bêthberry<p>[ 10:44 AM December 09, 2003: Message edited by: Bêthberry ] __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.