Spoiler in his own book! - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

doug*platypus · 02-17-2003, 06:14 AM

Frodo's dream (and the dozens of other similar examples) are different, Gorwingel. That's an example of foreshadowing, a device used frequently by JRRT inside the story - see this thread for more.

Merry's scar and the other examples here are really spoilers that are outside the story. This didn't come out as clear as I thought it would, but hopefully you can see what I'm getting at. I guess the main difference IMO is that references such as Merry's scar were not meant as foreshadowing later events as such. They merely explain a fact to us, rather than describe a later episode. They seem almost unintentional.

02-17-2003, 06:14 AM	#20
doug*platypus Delver in the Deep Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 960	Frodo's dream (and the dozens of other similar examples) are different, Gorwingel. That's an example of foreshadowing, a device used frequently by JRRT inside the story - see this thread for more. Merry's scar and the other examples here are really spoilers that are outside the story. This didn't come out as clear as I thought it would, but hopefully you can see what I'm getting at. I guess the main difference IMO is that references such as Merry's scar were not meant as foreshadowing later events as such. They merely explain a fact to us, rather than describe a later episode. They seem almost unintentional. __________________ But Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself, not in your name'.