“With a terrible cry the Balrog fell forward, and its shadow pl;unged down and
vanished. But even as it fell it swung its whip, and the thongs lashed
and curled about the wizard’s knees, dragging him to the brink. He
staggared, and fell, grasped vainly at the stone, and slid into the
abyss. ‘Fly you fools!’ he cried, and was gone.
The fires went out, and blank darkness fell.”
1. Again, can you remember your first reaction to this scene?
2. Now is the time to assess the entire action sequence as a literary
work. Go back over the chapter and comment on it as a piece of
writing. Does it accomplish the writer’s purpose? Does it engadge
the reader? How does it succeed of fail?
3. Note the curious puncuation of the ‘He staggared’ line. It is
very deliberately chopped into four separate bits, rendering the moment into
slow motion. How’s that for effective writing (I know we have English
teachers out there).
CHALLENGE
How many times does Gandalf use the term ‘fool!’ Show your
work.
