The "Fair" Sex in LotR - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

mark12_30 · 07-04-2002, 03:38 PM

Just a note on male bonding and competition: In the Letters, I noticed that for Tolkien, within the Inklings, all-out arguing over the literature in question was (for him) an indication of a great time being had by all. He felt that a well-argued meeting was a good meeting.

This good-natured quibbling and striving for the last word seems (to me) to surface more between Frodo and Merry and Pippin (between Bag End and Weathertop, not much after that), and maybe a little in Rivendell between Bilbo and (Lindir, Aragorn.)

Good antured quibbling-- not between Frodo and Sam very often. Not that they never argue, but when they do, it's over stuff that matters.

I wonder if Frodo and Sam reflect more the relationship between, perhaps, Tolkien and his son Michael or Christopher.

07-04-2002, 03:38 PM	#11
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Just a note on male bonding and competition: In the Letters, I noticed that for Tolkien, within the Inklings, all-out arguing over the literature in question was (for him) an indication of a great time being had by all. He felt that a well-argued meeting was a good meeting. This good-natured quibbling and striving for the last word seems (to me) to surface more between Frodo and Merry and Pippin (between Bag End and Weathertop, not much after that), and maybe a little in Rivendell between Bilbo and (Lindir, Aragorn.) Good antured quibbling-- not between Frodo and Sam very often. Not that they never argue, but when they do, it's over stuff that matters. I wonder if Frodo and Sam reflect more the relationship between, perhaps, Tolkien and his son Michael or Christopher. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.