"A shadow & a thought" - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

davem · 06-01-2004, 08:15 AM

The Problem I have is that its such a strange term to use, after Tolkien has spent so much effort building up a specific meaning for 'shadow'. With every other occurance of the word we associate it with evil, darkness, specifically with Mordor & its inhabitants. In Gimli's song in Moria we have the words 'The shadow lies upon his tomb, in Moria, in Khazad Dum'. The Balrog is described as 'a shadow & a flame'.

Always 'shadow' seems to have the most negative, evil, connotations, yet here Aragorn simply says 'In me she loves only a shadow & a thought'.

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I can't shake it - Eowyn loves a shadow in Aragorn - and we know she is seeking a glorious death in battle - why does she love a 'shadow' - why not a 'light' & a thought - & why would Aragorn refer to her feelings in that way, as something dark & absent of light?

06-01-2004, 08:15 AM	#4
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	The Problem I have is that its such a strange term to use, after Tolkien has spent so much effort building up a specific meaning for 'shadow'. With every other occurance of the word we associate it with evil, darkness, specifically with Mordor & its inhabitants. In Gimli's song in Moria we have the words 'The shadow lies upon his tomb, in Moria, in Khazad Dum'. The Balrog is described as 'a shadow & a flame'. Always 'shadow' seems to have the most negative, evil, connotations, yet here Aragorn simply says 'In me she loves only a shadow & a thought'. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I can't shake it - Eowyn loves a shadow in Aragorn - and we know she is seeking a glorious death in battle - why does she love a 'shadow' - why not a 'light' & a thought - & why would Aragorn refer to her feelings in that way, as something dark & absent of light? __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."