> -----Original Message----- > From: G [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005 11:39 AM > To: CF-Community > Subject: Re: The Ents are going to war. > > I guess by "purists" you mean the book readers who are looking for a > straight on-screen interpretation. In that aspect, I agree. If that's how > it > unfolds in the book, it should be done as such on screen. > > But us non-fantasy folks shake our heads when such silly tricks are used > to > shore up the plot. Tolkien couldn't figure out how to destroy Isingard (i > think i have that name right, with butchered spelling i'm sure) using > believable aspects/characters of the story, so he invents walking trees to > do it. I know such things are the life-blood of fantasy story > telling....which I guess is why I'm not a fan of it.
As you say, it was a fantasy and fantasy's have unrealistic twists... but I think you're missing the point of this bit. The entire summation of Tolkien's plot is "unlikely heroes save the world" Without Merry and Pippin Isengaurd would not have been tamed and (more importantly although it not shown in the theatrical release of "The Two Towers") Helm's Deep would have fallen. (In the book Saruman's army of orcs is destroyed ultimately by an army of trees sent by the Ents.) The main point is that Merry and Pippen, small, ineffectual, often ridiculed Merry and Pippen put all of this in effect. There's also a strong line of "don't fuck with nature" as well (Saruman clearly represents modernization while the Ents represent mother nature). The ring never would have been destroyed had it not been for Frodo's perseverance and Sam's honest strength. Although nearly left behind for the battle Merry is instrumental in destroying the Witch King. Pippin saves Faramir's life. It's also a repeated theme that they never actually complete the act. They're pivotal in the completion, but not the ultimate perpetrators. They're the fulcrum, the pivot point - without them the great powers and heroes could never have done what they did. Gollum's lust destroys the ring, not Frodo. Merry doesn't kill the Witch King, he just distracts him. Pippen needs Gandalf's help to save Faramir. Pippin and Merry are really just along for the ride once they get the Ents fired up. This story is about the power of the small, regular people of the world when pressed to do great things (not surprising since Tolkien lived through the German blitz). It's how those small people can affect big things even if history doesn't always give them the credit they deserve. Most people's argument with the book is Tolkien's sense of small scale in the giant world. "Only nine people are sent to destroy the ring! Why not send an army? Why can't Gandalf send Frodo on the backs of the Eagles? Why don't the wizards do real magic?" and so forth. Well... it's just not that kind of book. ;^) It's not a perfect story... I was never thrilled about the paths of the dead (although it did dramatically highlight Aragorn's acceptance of his birthright and is a major turning point for the character). I would have also liked to see the dwarves out in force to honor the old alliances (except for Gimli he just plain forgot the dwarves). Jim Davis ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Purchase Studio MX with Flash Pro from House of Fusion, a Macromedia Authorized Affiliate and support the CF community. http://www.houseoffusion.com/banners/view.cfm?bannerid=51 Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:5:163099 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:5 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.5 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
