. . . reaches for Frodo on Amon Hen.  Is that more than a symbol?  I think Frodo really saw the Eye and the arm, but I don't think anyone standing beside him would have had the same vision unless they, too, had a special kind of sight.  Let's just say a video camera would not have recorded the visions.

Note also that Frodo may have first seen the Eye from Rivendell, like a red star in the south.

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"‘I think he was a silly little man,' said Councillor Tompkins.  ‘Worthless, in fact; no use to Society at all.'

"‘Oh, I don't know,' said Atkins, who was nobody of importance, just a schoolmaster.  ‘I am not so sure: it depends on what you mean by use .'

"‘No practical or economic use,' said Tompkins.  . . .

. . .

"‘It is proving very useful indeed,' said the Second Voice.  ‘As a holiday, and a refreshment.  It is splendid for convalescence; and not only for that, for many it is the best introduction to the Mountains.  It works wonders in some cases.  I am sending more and more there.  They seldom have to come back.'"