tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874877056919928739.post4189538814199169284..comments2024-03-28T07:11:58.084-07:00Comments on Oldenhammer in Toronto: Reading along with the Lord of the Rings: A Knife in the Darkmatthewjksullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08126108200355039621noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874877056919928739.post-20430877734214017532016-05-09T03:04:09.340-07:002016-05-09T03:04:09.340-07:00Superb! I like the introduction of the fractured n...Superb! I like the introduction of the fractured narrative at this point, although arguably we see its motif rise earlier - a chapter that focuses on a knife is a poetic place to situate it, and indeed the modernness (or indeed post-modernness) of the novel is sorely overlooked.<br /><br />Tolkien's revision of the scene is fascinating, thanks for digging that up. Somewhat predictably, I disagree with the Prof. My take on the defeat of the Ringwraiths at Weathertop is that they are not yet the Nazgûl - their textual construction as such hasn't happened, and they are still Black Riders - the sniffing, crawling things that haunt the Shire and Hobbits nightmares. Frodo's pale king is as much a memory of the barrow as a description of what he sees. As such they are not yet part of the wider world and are still simple folkloric bogeys, shadows that haunt the ancient places, afraid of fire. The Ringwraiths defeat at the Ford of Bruninen subsequently sees them destroyed and then both texturally and figuratively return as the Nazgûl as Gandalfs 'learned' worldview becomes a more dominant voice in the text. To me it repeats the transformative theme of being struck down and then coming back more powerful than one could possibly imagine, that Tolkien repeats with Gandalf himself.<br /><br />Glad you've returned to the read-along, and sharing your insights. Look forward to more!Zhu Bajieehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13945636483237344750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874877056919928739.post-50985798696523454992016-05-08T08:03:10.065-07:002016-05-08T08:03:10.065-07:00Once again, delightful piece of read, thank you.Once again, delightful piece of read, thank you.Suberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02005091019027411799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874877056919928739.post-46943019261721903302016-05-07T15:48:48.018-07:002016-05-07T15:48:48.018-07:00Excellent read, thanks for the commentary.Excellent read, thanks for the commentary.Renshaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367785419468487403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874877056919928739.post-680005372084838552016-05-07T04:38:57.827-07:002016-05-07T04:38:57.827-07:00Enjoyable read Matthew. ;)Enjoyable read Matthew. ;)airbornegrove26https://www.blogger.com/profile/16167504949340980657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874877056919928739.post-76598023887879848582016-05-06T20:30:34.181-07:002016-05-06T20:30:34.181-07:00Tolkien's control of the narrative is why I th...Tolkien's control of the narrative is why I think he is the greatest writer of the 20th century.<br />Glad you're keeping up with these posts. I was worried.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14996350912869829140noreply@blogger.com