Book III, Chapter 8: What's going on?
Gandalf deflects several questions from the party about
what is going on with Saruman. Why is he being secretive about events in
Isengard?
The information might be a bit overwhelming for the superstitious Rohirrim. Or
for the tree fearing Gimli. Legolas, I think might be in raptures.
Book III, Chapter 8: Orc-slaying competition, revisited
Why do you think Legolas and Gimli had a contest to see
who could kill the most Orcs during the battle? Did their attitudes about
the contest change as it went on? What effect did it have on them?
As we can read, Legolas thinks about the game when Gimli doesn't come back, but
says he wanted to tell him he killed 41. It's a strange friendship, they have.
But when Gimli does come back, he's forgotten the game and is glad to see his
pal alive. Aragorn fortold that Gimli would win, anyway.
"if he makes it through to the caves, he will pass your count again. never did
I see an axe so wielded." says the Man who's been all over the world. I'm
thinking Gimli notched his axe at 42, and then grabbed another weapon and
killed some more.... (they don't count).
Book III, Chapter 8: The Glittering Caves
What does Gimli's description of the Glittering Caves
reveal about him? About the different ways in which Men and Dwarves
approach the natural world?
Inferno.
Dwarves have artistry in their very being-they themselves are the ultimate work
of Aule the Smith and possibly of all the Valar- living, breathing speaking
beings. Though their life is Eru-given, they always hold Aule as their maker.
So it's no surprise that Gimli starts waxing poetic about Aglarond.
'Caves! Holes to store fodder in, to flee to in times of war!'
That's very mannish, alright. But we Men were born to be outside, on the free
plains and valleys. Elves and Men for the most part don't care about
underground things. Eol might have been an exception, but hey..he's the
Dark Elf.
Dwarvish perspective is the opposite. Whatever they make, they treasure.
Whatever is beautiful in its own right, they treasure even more. As long as
they can be there, moulding and preserving the beauty of it they're happy.
Legolas worries that Durin's Family will ruin the place, but Gimli reminds him
that Dwarves are lovers, not just masters of stone. Stone obeys and allows
itself to be shaped. Men and Elves in Tolkien's world prefer things that grow
themselves, like trees, forests and animals because they feel connected to
them. They are lovers of nature. Dwarves are attuned to stone, the stuff they
were made from. And thus their love is given to stone and gems. I liked it how
Gimli compared flowering stone to blossoming trees- you must never quarry
unweathered rock, lest you ruin its perfection.
Gloin remarks that his generation have forgotten the arts of the First Age for
the most part, but that their stone-work is far better than Durin's time. It
kinda shows what the Dwarves would rather not forget.
not to mention this the only time I hear the word
'plink'.
There is but one task remaining in Arda-we,the Dragons of Valinor will make it happen.
Lone resident of the Republic of Gondor
PO-TA-TOE-S not PO -TAH-TOE-S!
