LoTR discussion project: Book III, Chapters 8 and 9:

[Elanor the Fair]

Finally - I've caught up with my reading. I love your interesting discussion points, Forkbeard!

Originally Posted by Forkbeard

6) Two sub-themes come out in the chapters on the Rohirrim that appear nowhere else (except to a lesser extent in the Shire): legends come to life, and more specifically children's stories come to life. This is a good place to discuss Tolkien's views of such things, On Fairy Stories, where or what in the Shire is an analogue, and why in these chapters does this theme come to the fore and why is it important for this people?

I'm not really sure about this question, but I'm willing to have a go at it!!

I suppose you could say that the Old Forest near Buckland is a parallel for Fangorn Forest. Both forests are the subject of "larger than life" stories and legends that are told in an oral tradition to young children. That is the difference, I surmise, between Gondor and Rohan - Rohan relies on an oral tradition for its tales and history. These then become altered and exaggerated - tales of the ents, Galadriel, hobbits etc. Gondor, on the other hand, relies on accurate history - recorded on parchment.

In addition, in a sort of convoluted way...

These oral tales are indicative of the individual culture of Rohan - and links them to their ancestors in the North (by their folk tales about the hobbits)