News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| The Lucky One by Antane | 3 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Cibilka | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/9/2022 |
| It's me again! I hope you aren't getting tired of my reviews yet, haha. I'd hate to sound ignorant here, which I inevitably would anyway by asking this question. When Prof. Tolkien said that Frodo felt "tempted to regret Its destruction" what did he exactly mean? Could you perhaps elaborate more on it. I understand that a great part of his suffering comes from his lust-hate relationship of the Ring, but I guess it seems I still don't fully understand the extent of Its evil or how is enslaves and corrupt Its bearer. I understand that the Ring promises you lofty ideals which are very difficult to resist, and it also has tremendous evil force and power to bend anyone's will to it. It took full advantage of Frodo's weakened situation and he didn't stand any chance of resisting it as his state in the end, I understand that much, but as for desiring the Ring- I guess what I want to know is if he truly desired it. I'm of the impression that his thinking he desired it was part of the Ring's lasting influences, like it's tricking him into believing that, instead of what he thinks. How I see it is like being r*pe spiritually. He was forced against his will to take it due to his condition of mind and body at the time, and we know in actual cases where r*pe is involved, the suspect drills it into the mind of their victim that it's their fault. What do you think? Did Frodo willfully claim the Ring for himself? And are his feelings of guilt based on the fact that he was just falsely led to believe he desired it or that there was/is indeed some part of him that wanted it? I'd really appreciate any response on this! And apologies if I worded some thoughts weirdly. English is not my native language, which is also why I tend to overlook subtle details in the story sometimes. Author Reply: Hi, not at all tired of your reviews! But I was too tired to respond promptly as I was hit by the flurona but I did attempt to send you some references at the time of other works of mine that may have answered your questions. Apologies that this email got buried with many others as I was recovering and also working on finishing a fantasy that I was working on that is out at last. I think you understand perfectly what hell the Ring put Frodo and all its bearers through but especially Frodo and are exactly right this was r*pe, brutally and repeatedly, forcing him into a situation that in the end was beyond his will to control. He blames himself but he is not to blame, not at all. He resists with all he had with him, with all the grace that was infused into him to resist, and in the end, he was overcome and the Ring swallowed him whole. He did not will this to happen, but he could no longer resist - and by the time he reached the Sammath Naur, he no longer had to - he had done what he needed to do, he had fulfilled his vocation to be Ring-bearer. Everyone thought Ring-bearer and Ring-destroyer were to be the same person but God always knew it would be too much for Frodo in the end. It was never his destiny to be Ring-destroyer, but Ring-bearer, and he fulfilled that role perfectly with every ounce of his strength and will. Tolkien does note in one of his letters Frodo did regret the passing of the Ring - it is gone and now all is dark and empty - but I think that was due to the black mark the Ring left on the souls of Bilbo and Smeagol also, to have them ever lust after it, much like an addict longs for the drug that is destroying them, as Tom Shippey and others have observed. If you haven't read The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, they are fascinating and offer many insights into the sub-creation, including these very points of whether Frodo failed or not (look in the index or my other works that mention them). Thanks so much for the reviews! Namarie, God bless, Antane :) | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/6/2006 |
| Other than the fact that they had no idea this would be a girl rather than the anticipated Frodo-lad, this is wonderful. And the idea that the birth of Elanor would overwhelm the shadow of the loss of the Ring is beautiful. | |
| Queen Galadriel | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 1/4/2006 |
| Oh, I love this one! I'd quote my favourite parts, but there are too many! :-) I love the way you portray Rose-strong and sensible and so very gentle and sweet, like her husband. Bless, dear Sam, ever the wise comforter. He ought to have been named "full-wise." Wow, did Rose take the labour calmly or what?! I never heard of such, but it suits her. I must say, I do pity poor Sam. He must have been worried about his wife and the babe-all men are, especially with the first, or that's what I've heard and read-and worried about Frodo too. And poor Frodo, so hot. I oftne wondered how the twenty-fifth would be for him, and this seems very realistic. More, more! :-) God bless, Galadriel | |