Sppokiest part in the book. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Túroch · 11-20-2002, 01:29 AM

I think that the part of the book that gave me the most chills had to be Minus Morgul. Oooh spooky. What do you guys think?

Arwen_Evenstar · 11-20-2002, 02:23 AM

Hi Turoch!
I think the freakiest part in the books is...Shelobs lair. When Frodo and Samwise are walking through and they can feel her eyes on them.... [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] spooOOOoooOOOoky! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Beruthiel · 11-20-2002, 03:56 AM

ooohh the creepiest bit has to be The Paths of the Dead! That was so scary even Gimli was freaked out of his mind! [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 11-20-2002, 06:39 AM

It was totally the Paths of the Dead and also that part in Dunharrow, I think, when Theoden tells the story of the old man at the gate.

Selmo · 11-20-2002, 10:01 AM

It's forty years since I first walked with Gimli on the Paths of the Dead and I can still vividly recall how I shared his fear.

That chapter cost me some sleepless nights.

Diamond18 · 11-20-2002, 11:11 AM

Minas Morgul, man, all the way. That freaks me out more than anything. #2 would be the Dead Marshes, #3 Shelob's Lair, and #4 the Paths of the Dead.

Peri · 11-20-2002, 01:13 PM

The creepiest part had to have been when they were in Moria at Balin's tomb. When Gandalf started reading that book about what happened all those years ago, (they are coming, we can't get out...) you knew something bad was going to happen. You could feel it coming...

Manwe Sulimo · 11-20-2002, 03:10 PM

Definetly the night in Hall 21 (like Peri said).

"We cannot get out. We cannot get out. They have taken the Bridge and second hall. Frár and Lóni and Náli fell there....the pool is up to the wall at Westgate. The Watcher in the Water took Óin. We cannot get out. The end comes....drums, drums in the deep....they are coming."

Arwen Imladris · 11-20-2002, 03:13 PM

When Sam thinks that he sees golum but is not sure, and when golum is climing down the rocks and you just know that he will meet them.

lathspell · 11-20-2002, 03:34 PM

I'd say something totally different. For I'm altogether not scared of the dead or monsters. I'd say:
- when the old man appears to Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn in the middle of the night and then leaves without a word to say, leaving no footprints and all.
- the craziness of Denethor, and Denethor wanting to burn with his son.

Flittermouse · 11-20-2002, 04:28 PM

The scariest part was when they made movies out of the books, and though they were great, it made lots of newbies come to the Downs and pretend they are Tolkien fanatics. Ok sorry my rant is done....

Galorme · 11-20-2002, 05:11 PM

To be honist I think creating fear is something Tolkein really cant do very well. He really cant build up the tension, and when he describes something that could be scary it sounds evil and powerful but not, well not scary really. Note the description of the Balrog, it sounds impressive but not frightening. He cant make things seem scary, big battles with evil monsters feel somewhat, hmm, cosy.

Cherie Centaur · 11-20-2002, 06:16 PM

Oh I think The creepiest part was (don't laugh) the whole thing with the barrowwrights. It brought chills down my spine. [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]
Then of course was Shelob's lair. Gosh that fight was intense! Then when Sam thought Frodo was dead, I knew he wasn't, but I cried. It was so sad. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

Nuranar · 11-20-2002, 07:27 PM

Quote:

I think creating fear is something Tolkein really cant do very well. He really cant build up the tension, and when he describes something that could be scary it sounds evil and powerful but not, well not scary really.

Galorme, I think I see what you're getting at. Tolkien certainly doesn't write with intent to make the reader's hair stand on end; his goal is not to provide mere chills and thrills. Nevertheless, I believe he does build up tension, albeit with subtle skill. The entire tone of the book is dark and grim, which also contributes to the "creepy" factor in particular parts.

I personally respond most to the aura of evil in many of the segments that have been mentioned in this thread. The presence of evil is oppressive, dark and dreadful, although not necessarily terrifying. I do not have to fear evil to feel horror at its advent.

Does anyone understand what I'm getting at? [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] My exposition is over now.

Quote:

Oh I think The creepiest part was (don't laugh) the whole thing with the barrowwrights. It brought chills down my spine.

Same here, Cherie Centaur! I'm not laughing. I was so surprised no one else had mentioned it!

I think the Dead Marshes is the other creepiest part for me. The whole sadness of the dead past and of those long-dead warriors effects me strongly, and when that is added to the horror that they weren't really there at all...

[ November 20, 2002: Message edited by: Nuranar ]

Arathiriel · 11-21-2002, 01:28 AM

Hands down - Shelob's Lair for me as I have a fear of giant spiders!

Meela · 11-21-2002, 02:47 PM

i didnt think there was a spooky part

Cherie Centaur · 11-21-2002, 04:02 PM

Thanks Nuranar,I was surprised too that they didn't mention it. I was also surprised (and disappointed) when it wasn't in the movie. The AC was on high when I read it and that even heighten the tension in that scene. [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

Luckily, that event was followed by the jovial prancing of nude hobbits. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Diamond18 · 11-21-2002, 04:51 PM

Quote:

I personally respond most to the aura of evil in many of the segments that have been mentioned in this thread. The presence of evil is oppressive, dark and dreadful, although not necessarily terrifying. I do not have to fear evil to feel horror at its advent.

Does anyone understand what I'm getting at?

I know just what you mean. That's why I think Minas Morgul is so creepy. The whole description of the place before anything even happens is so saturated in evil the I just wanted to run away for the characters. Plus, it was one of the few things that bothered Gollum, so you knew it had to be bad. In the end, nothing terrible really happened...the army rode out and away and the trio continued on. But the aura was thick with oppressive evil.

Mintyztwin · 11-21-2002, 05:56 PM

I really shouldn't be posting, 'cause I haven't read the books for at least . . . 9 months. [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] (I can't believe that!)

The creepiest part: Barrow-Downs. I never understood that part, so it really incresed the . . . creepiness? Also, the Paths of the Dead. GIMLI was freaking out, and he was usually so calm! The part with Shelob is my FAVORITE part in the WHOLE thing!! Really!

mark12_30 · 11-21-2002, 08:02 PM

The creepiest part for me was when Denethor carried his living, feverish and unconscious son onto his own suicide funeral pyre, and earnestly tried to justify his murderous action.

Pookabunny · 11-21-2002, 08:13 PM

****For those who have not read the books all the way through, this is a spoiler********

Two Words: MOUNT DOOM.

That was the scariest part - Frodo's defiance in Mount Doom. Whole darn thing almost got botched!

Morgul Queen · 11-21-2002, 09:25 PM

Well actually ,Please don't laugh, the creepiest bit for me is the old forest and the old man willow, you know, all the trees pressing in and then when the hobbits sit down to rest merry and pippin disappear [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] and Frodo is pushed into the river*shudders*

Kalimac · 11-21-2002, 09:38 PM

When I was little and having LOTR read aloud to me, the part that gave me nightmares was the scene in Moria, "We cannot get out, we cannot get out" and then the "Doom, doom" of the drums. For some reason those drumbeats were just what did it.

Now I find the Dead Marshes to be the most frightening; even more so when I read Tolkien's drafts in HoME where he had Frodo and Sam looking in and seeing their own dead, rotting faces underneath the water - the stuff of a quiet nightmare, that.

Orual · 11-22-2002, 04:06 PM

I agree with Turoch and Diamond. The bit with Minas Morgul sent shivers down my spine. I just re-read it last night, and nothing else I read in the Lord of the Rings gave me a frisson quite as badly as did that part.

~*~Orual~*~

Afrodal Fenyar · 11-24-2002, 09:58 AM

It has to be Moria. "Doom, doom, doom, doom.." There were actually not very many spooky parts in the book, but Moria is the most spookiest of them. When Gandalf read the book it was sure something terrible was happening. And Moria is a good part, anyways.

Mintyztwin · 11-24-2002, 05:24 PM

I really liked (?) the "doom" part too. I think if I had time and re-read them I *might* change my vote. But the whole hand thing in B-D . . . .*shudder*

Lhunbelethiel · 11-27-2002, 03:24 PM

I agree with all the parts mentioned above (esp the darn doom doom drumbeats..... ARGH! What IS it with them that just makes me shiver??! [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] ).... But I wanted to mention a moment in The Hobbit when Bilbo is blindly walking through Smaug's cave trying to get out, wrestling with his own conscience. Also him in Gollum's cave scare me. And when I read the stuff about the RingWraith standing above the Hobbits as well as the paths of the dead (esp. when Toline describes the Army of the Dead that followed them into battle.... I had to put the book down, I was so creeped out)

dragoneyes · 11-27-2002, 03:34 PM

The dead marshes, ghostly things like that always makes me shiver. It's the same kind of thing as walking over people's graves, I can't stand walking over people's graves.

LePetitChoux · 11-27-2002, 04:12 PM

Mount doom, because you see just how vulnerable the whole thing is...I mean if Frodo had kept the ring... [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

Balin's tomb because Gandalf reads "they are coming. We cannot get out. We are trapped" and then members of the fellowship also say
"they are coming"
"we cannot get out!"
"we are trapped"

And you sit there, thinking...DEJA VU!!! Aaaaaargh! Creepy! [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

Aaaaanyway. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

VanimaEdhel · 11-29-2002, 05:41 PM

If I was not crying hysterically every time I read the darn thing, then probably Mount Doom. But, since I'm preoccupied trying to make it look like I am not crying, I would say the Barrow-Wights freaked me out the most...

the witch king · 11-29-2002, 08:03 PM

no question about it Minas Morgul!

11-20-2002, 01:29 AM	#1
Túroch Wight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Oklahoma State University Posts: 102	Sppokiest part in the book. I think that the part of the book that gave me the most chills had to be Minus Morgul. Oooh spooky. What do you guys think? __________________ For the valour of the Edain the Elves shall ever remember as the ages lengthen, marvelling that they gave life so freely of which thay had on earth so little. But it is not for thy valour only that I send thee, but to bring into the world a hope beyond thy sight, and a light that shall pierce the darkness." Ulmo - Lord of waters

11-20-2002, 11:11 AM	#6
Diamond18 Eidolon of a Took Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: my own private fantasy world Posts: 3,460	Minas Morgul, man, all the way. That freaks me out more than anything. #2 would be the Dead Marshes, #3 Shelob's Lair, and #4 the Paths of the Dead. __________________ All shall be rather fond of me and suffer from mild depression.

11-20-2002, 01:13 PM	#7
Peri Wight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Rivendell Posts: 124	The creepiest part had to have been when they were in Moria at Balin's tomb. When Gandalf started reading that book about what happened all those years ago, (they are coming, we can't get out...) you knew something bad was going to happen. You could feel it coming... __________________ "Ah, but I'll begowk ye there!" cried the gentleman. "Play me false, and I'll play you cunning."

11-20-2002, 03:10 PM	#8
Manwe Sulimo Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Taurelilómëa-tumbalemorna Tumbaletaurëa Lómëanor Posts: 553	Definetly the night in Hall 21 (like Peri said). "We cannot get out. We cannot get out. They have taken the Bridge and second hall. Frár and Lóni and Náli fell there....the pool is up to the wall at Westgate. The Watcher in the Water took Óin. We cannot get out. The end comes....drums, drums in the deep....they are coming." __________________ "Monkeys learn sign language so they can tell the dolphins they love them."

11-20-2002, 03:13 PM	#9
Arwen Imladris Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In a box with a fox Posts: 1,347	When Sam thinks that he sees golum but is not sure, and when golum is climing down the rocks and you just know that he will meet them. __________________ "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies, we must go, yes, we must go at once."

11-20-2002, 02:23 AM	#2
Arwen_Evenstar Wight Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Rivendell Posts: 206	Hi Turoch! I think the freakiest part in the books is...Shelobs lair. When Frodo and Samwise are walking through and they can feel her eyes on them.... [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] spooOOOoooOOOoky! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ 'I am Agarwaen, Son of Úmarth...'-Túrin Turambar. Arwen_Evenstar

11-20-2002, 03:56 AM	#3
Beruthiel Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Set adrift on the Great Sea Posts: 373	ooohh the creepiest bit has to be The Paths of the Dead! That was so scary even Gimli was freaked out of his mind! [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] __________________ ~I am not young enough to know everything~ Oscar Wilde

11-20-2002, 06:39 AM	#4
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	It was totally the Paths of the Dead and also that part in Dunharrow, I think, when Theoden tells the story of the old man at the gate. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

11-20-2002, 10:01 AM	#5
Selmo Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The Shire (Staffordshire), United Kingdom Posts: 273	It's forty years since I first walked with Gimli on the Paths of the Dead and I can still vividly recall how I shared his fear. That chapter cost me some sleepless nights.

11-20-2002, 03:34 PM	#10
lathspell Regenerating Ringkeeper Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Holland Posts: 757	I'd say something totally different. For I'm altogether not scared of the dead or monsters. I'd say: - when the old man appears to Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn in the middle of the night and then leaves without a word to say, leaving no footprints and all. - the craziness of Denethor, and Denethor wanting to burn with his son. __________________ 'You?' cried Frodo. 'Yes, I, Gandalf the Grey,' said the wizard solemnly. 'There are many powers in the world, for good or for evil. Some are greater than I am. Against some I have not yet been measured. But my time is coming.'

11-20-2002, 04:28 PM	#11
Flittermouse Pile O'Bones Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 17	The scariest part was when they made movies out of the books, and though they were great, it made lots of newbies come to the Downs and pretend they are Tolkien fanatics. Ok sorry my rant is done....

11-20-2002, 05:11 PM	#12
Galorme Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London Posts: 337	To be honist I think creating fear is something Tolkein really cant do very well. He really cant build up the tension, and when he describes something that could be scary it sounds evil and powerful but not, well not scary really. Note the description of the Balrog, it sounds impressive but not frightening. He cant make things seem scary, big battles with evil monsters feel somewhat, hmm, cosy. __________________ Utúlie'n aurë! Aiya Eldalië ar Atanatári, utúlie'n aurë! The day has come! Behold people of the Eldar and Fathers of Men, the day has come!

11-20-2002, 06:16 PM	#13
Cherie Centaur Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cottage Cheese near the Gap Posts: 95	Oh I think The creepiest part was (don't laugh) the whole thing with the barrowwrights. It brought chills down my spine. [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] Then of course was Shelob's lair. Gosh that fight was intense! Then when Sam thought Frodo was dead, I knew he wasn't, but I cried. It was so sad. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] __________________ Why do we let the monkey slide for popping the weasel? Just because he thought it was fun? Guys, we're dealing with a psycho.

11-21-2002, 01:28 AM	#15
Arathiriel Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Blessed Realm Posts: 284	Hands down - Shelob's Lair for me as I have a fear of giant spiders! __________________ 'I love him. He's like that, and sometimes it shines through, somehow. But I love him, whether or no.' - Samwise Gamgee

11-21-2002, 02:47 PM	#16
Meela Denethor's True Love Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mirkwood. With Thranduil... swoon Posts: 2,049	i didnt think there was a spooky part __________________ 'The Hobbit' 1st impressions: 1. Thorin is hot... Oh god, I fancy a dwarf. 2. Thranduil is hotter. 3. Is that... Figwit! 4. Does Elijah Wood never age? 2nd: It's all about Fili & Kili, really. 3rd: BARD! OMG, Bard.

11-21-2002, 04:02 PM	#17
Cherie Centaur Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cottage Cheese near the Gap Posts: 95	Thanks Nuranar,I was surprised too that they didn't mention it. I was also surprised (and disappointed) when it wasn't in the movie. The AC was on high when I read it and that even heighten the tension in that scene. [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] Luckily, that event was followed by the jovial prancing of nude hobbits. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ Why do we let the monkey slide for popping the weasel? Just because he thought it was fun? Guys, we're dealing with a psycho.

11-21-2002, 05:56 PM	#19
Mintyztwin Wight Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The other side of crazy Posts: 212	I really shouldn't be posting, 'cause I haven't read the books for at least . . . 9 months. [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] (I can't believe that!) The creepiest part: Barrow-Downs. I never understood that part, so it really incresed the . . . creepiness? Also, the Paths of the Dead. GIMLI was freaking out, and he was usually so calm! The part with Shelob is my FAVORITE part in the WHOLE thing!! Really! __________________ So, where are we going? But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:2

11-21-2002, 08:02 PM	#20
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	The creepiest part for me was when Denethor carried his living, feverish and unconscious son onto his own suicide funeral pyre, and earnestly tried to justify his murderous action. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

11-21-2002, 08:13 PM	#21
Pookabunny Wight Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The only place that matters! Posts: 181	**For those who have not read the books all the way through, this is a spoiler****** Two Words: MOUNT DOOM. That was the scariest part - Frodo's defiance in Mount Doom. Whole darn thing almost got botched! __________________ "I love you more than I did the week before, I discovered alcohol" - Bare Naked Ladies

11-21-2002, 09:25 PM	#22
Morgul Queen Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dontgonearthe Castle Posts: 414	Well actually ,Please don't laugh, the creepiest bit for me is the old forest and the old man willow, you know, all the trees pressing in and then when the hobbits sit down to rest merry and pippin disappear [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] and Frodo is pushed into the rivershudders __________________ Athrabeth is still doing the wave for Boromir the Disco-King Oh...and call me Morgy!

11-21-2002, 09:38 PM	#23
Kalimac Candle of the Marshes Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Flyover Country Posts: 780	When I was little and having LOTR read aloud to me, the part that gave me nightmares was the scene in Moria, "We cannot get out, we cannot get out" and then the "Doom, doom" of the drums. For some reason those drumbeats were just what did it. Now I find the Dead Marshes to be the most frightening; even more so when I read Tolkien's drafts in HoME where he had Frodo and Sam looking in and seeing their own dead, rotting faces underneath the water - the stuff of a quiet nightmare, that. __________________ Father, dear Father, if you see fit, We'll send my love to college for one year yet Tie blue ribbons all about his head, To let the ladies know that he's married.

11-22-2002, 04:06 PM	#24
Orual Speaker of the Dead Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Superbia Posts: 868	I agree with Turoch and Diamond. The bit with Minas Morgul sent shivers down my spine. I just re-read it last night, and nothing else I read in the Lord of the Rings gave me a frisson quite as badly as did that part. ~~Orual~~ __________________ "Oh, my god! I care so little, I almost passed out!" --Dr. Cox, "Scrubs"

11-24-2002, 09:58 AM	#25
Afrodal Fenyar Haunting Spirit Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Finland Posts: 94	It has to be Moria. "Doom, doom, doom, doom.." There were actually not very many spooky parts in the book, but Moria is the most spookiest of them. When Gandalf read the book it was sure something terrible was happening. And Moria is a good part, anyways. __________________ "Out of doubt, out of dark to the day's rising I came singing in the sun, sword unsheathing. To hope's end I rode and to heart's breaking: Now for wrath, now for ruin and a red nightfall!" ~Eomer

11-24-2002, 05:24 PM	#26
Mintyztwin Wight Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The other side of crazy Posts: 212	I really liked (?) the "doom" part too. I think if I had time and re-read them I might change my vote. But the whole hand thing in B-D . . . .shudder __________________ So, where are we going? But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:2

11-27-2002, 03:24 PM	#27
Lhunbelethiel Wight Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Francisco Bay Area (aka Bay of Belfalas) Posts: 103	I agree with all the parts mentioned above (esp the darn doom doom drumbeats..... ARGH! What IS it with them that just makes me shiver??! [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] ).... But I wanted to mention a moment in The Hobbit when Bilbo is blindly walking through Smaug's cave trying to get out, wrestling with his own conscience. Also him in Gollum's cave scare me. And when I read the stuff about the RingWraith standing above the Hobbits as well as the paths of the dead (esp. when Toline describes the Army of the Dead that followed them into battle.... I had to put the book down, I was so creeped out) __________________ ~~All that is gold does not glitter, not all who wander are lost, all that is old does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost...~~

11-27-2002, 03:34 PM	#28
dragoneyes Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Completely lost track, sorry! Posts: 733	The dead marshes, ghostly things like that always makes me shiver. It's the same kind of thing as walking over people's graves, I can't stand walking over people's graves. __________________ "We might succeed in roasting Pippin alive inside." - Frodo.

11-27-2002, 04:12 PM	#29
LePetitChoux Vegetable of Doom Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: London Posts: 720	Mount doom, because you see just how vulnerable the whole thing is...I mean if Frodo had kept the ring... [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] Balin's tomb because Gandalf reads "they are coming. We cannot get out. We are trapped" and then members of the fellowship also say "they are coming" "we cannot get out!" "we are trapped" And you sit there, thinking...DEJA VU!!! Aaaaaargh! Creepy! [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] Aaaaanyway. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ je suis une bonne odeur

11-29-2002, 05:41 PM	#30
VanimaEdhel Etheral Enchantress Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wellesley College! Posts: 1,461	If I was not crying hysterically every time I read the darn thing, then probably Mount Doom. But, since I'm preoccupied trying to make it look like I am not crying, I would say the Barrow-Wights freaked me out the most... __________________ "I think we dream so we don't have to be apart so long. If we're in each others dreams, we can be together all the time." - Hobbes of Calvin and Hobbes

11-29-2002, 08:03 PM	#31
the witch king Wight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Minas Morgul, Morgul Vale, Mordor Posts: 201	no question about it Minas Morgul! __________________ 'Whenever death may surprise us, let it be welcome if our battle cry has reached even one receptive ear and another hand reaches out to take up our arms.'~ Che Guevara.