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| The Hunting Trip by Ithilien | 3 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Eilenach | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 4/9/2007 |
| Well, I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that I don't think there's any valid reason, story-wise, to include the section on homosexuality among the elves. I suppose you would argue that it's all tied up with Legolas thinking about whether he is "priggish" and his thoughts for revenge against Gimli for the potent drink. However, to me, it seems more like you wanted to get your views on the acceptability of homosexuality into a story, and so you plopped it down right here. The section on Legolas's relationship with his father -- that Thranduil robbed his son of credit for his actions by claiming credit himself -- was excellent. And I'll be interested to see what's going on between Aragorn and Arwen. There is trouble in this relationship, that's for sure. | |
| Estel_Mi_Olor | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 3/16/2006 |
| I've actually read this story several times, and (sorry!)I am such a selfish reader that I've never left a comment. Oops... Well I thought I might as well do so intelligently. Firstly, I love this story (as evidenced by my having read it several times...) It is so perfect. I don't know how else to say it but you have blended your own creativity and Tolkien into this unit that seems to always have existed. (I know, I promised intelligence, right?) Anyways, I am reviewing this particular chapter because I had a question about it. I was wondering where you got your references to Elven sexuality (from Tolkien). I am assuming that this is from HoME and I forget the volume. I think I'm wrong though since my knowledge of Tolkien lore is sadly limited. Anyways, I was just wondering since this seems like an interesting topic. Thanks once again for this great story! | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/13/2003 |
| Ithilien, Hum.m.m. Elven mating habits, huh. Well, it did get my attention. You presented a very interesting and complex view. I've always thought that Tolkien was a bit optimistic with his views, but he's the creator and I bow to his authority. Of course, I think he said his work was essentially a Catholic work and I think in his creation of the Elves he did infuse them with the ideal, though I still don't know if it would have been quite as sterile as he would have had us believe had these wonderous folk truly lived. I've read where others have likened Elves to angels, but I seem to see them more as Tolkien's version of unfallen man and humans as the fallen creature. I think the Valar suit the angel role a bit better. It also seems to me that inhibited sexual mores are related to his religious views, but it is not something that cuts across all cultures,(especially early ones), so his views do exist in something of a vaccuum. (Granted, it's a large vaccuum, especially now.) I would have liked to hear him personally discuss why he saw such a natural expression, created by God, to be something so rigid. The only thing I can come up with is his devotion to the Church and it is his creation story, so there really is nothing for me to argue with him about, I suppose. I'm not even saying I think he should have done something different or that he was wrong. It just doesn't seem to fit with Elven nature to be so out of tune with the beauty of the experience. I don't mean they should have bedded everything in sight or not been discriminating or that there shouldn't have been cultural boundaries; it's the bonding showing in their eyes thingy if they had sex. I can see it when bonding was chosen. It sure did cut out those one night stands though. Still, I think the Elves would have come up with some real interesting, non-consumating activities in reality. :>) While your description may not (or it may, I don't know), fit with his vision, you did a beautiful job of Legolas explaning the natural beauty of the physical. In many of his statements, he was genuinely perplexed as to why Gimli would find fault with such an expression. I thought you did a nice job of showing the somewhat protected, (innocent), nature of the elf and his inherit nature to respond to beauty. And your version gave me fuel to think about the above and try to get it straight in my mind....though I don't think I have completely. Now..aren't you sorry you brought THAT up? This is getting too long, so I'll capsulize here. The needs of the royal ones to get out from under the thumb of duty was well done. I can see how it would irk all these who have seen so much battle and did such dangerous things to chafe under such restrictions and the need they would have to step aside for a short while. I think the royal life would be very restrictive. And then there's Mama..just braiding and humming. I think she needs to throw a wagon wheel or something..... Since this story is long and I'm so far behind, I think I'll just read a bit and not try to catch up in responses to every chapter. I'll jump in when I have something to say, but I'm going to try to not be so redundant and boring. Until then...please forgive my verbosity, but I'm really having a jolly time, here, all by myself. :>) ........> Karen | |