Relevance to real life

Churl · 10-08-2001, 06:03 PM

As an American still coming to grips with September 11th's tragedies, I found a surprisingly relevant passage in The Fellowship of the Ring, Chapter 3 (Tolkien's words follow):
_______________

(Gildor:) "[...] I think it is not for me to say more -- lest terror should keep you from your journey. For it seems to me that you have set out only just in time, if indeed you are in time. You must now make haste, and neither stay nor turn back; for the Shire is no longer any protection to you."

"I cannot imagine what information could be more terrifying than your hints and warnings," exclaimed Frodo. "I knew that danger lay ahead, of course; but I did not expect to meet it in our own Shire. Can't a hobbit walk from the Water to the River in peace?"

"But it is not your own Shire," said Gildor. "Others dwelt here before hobbits were; and others will dwell here again when hobbits are no more. The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourself in, but you cannot for ever fence it out."

"I know -- and yet it has always seemed so safe and familiar."

Sakata · 10-08-2001, 06:52 PM

Thats really cool, it gives a lot of meaning to that passage when it is happening to our own little shire.

Comic Book Guy · 10-08-2001, 07:04 PM

Welcome Churl, interesting name, where is it from?

Churl · 10-08-2001, 07:18 PM

Where did the nickname "Churl" come from? ...From too many churlish observations in younger days (I've mellowed a little since then). My churlishness is the result of being an idealist and a realist simultaneously: not an easy balancing act.

Ñólendil · 10-08-2001, 11:43 PM

Very good insight. You're quite right of course, the passage seems to have been made for this sort of time. Welcome to Entmoot!

Sakata · 10-09-2001, 12:41 AM

Aye, welcome to Entmoot, we could use some more intelligent posts like yours

Varda · 10-09-2001, 01:38 AM

very interesting.... and welcome!

cee2lee2 · 10-09-2001, 08:43 PM

Hello!

The passage speaks well to our times.

Renille · 10-09-2001, 10:06 PM

Wow...the things you miss when you aren't really looking...I never even thought of that passage before! Thanks so much for sharing it.

arynetrek · 10-10-2001, 08:53 PM

wonderful quote. it never ceases to amaze me how relevant Tolkien's work is.

aryne *

10-08-2001, 06:03 PM	#1
Churl Elven Warrior Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 128	Relevance to real life As an American still coming to grips with September 11th's tragedies, I found a surprisingly relevant passage in The Fellowship of the Ring, Chapter 3 (Tolkien's words follow): _______________ (Gildor:) "[...] I think it is not for me to say more -- lest terror should keep you from your journey. For it seems to me that you have set out only just in time, if indeed you are in time. You must now make haste, and neither stay nor turn back; for the Shire is no longer any protection to you." "I cannot imagine what information could be more terrifying than your hints and warnings," exclaimed Frodo. "I knew that danger lay ahead, of course; but I did not expect to meet it in our own Shire. Can't a hobbit walk from the Water to the River in peace?" "But it is not your own Shire," said Gildor. "Others dwelt here before hobbits were; and others will dwell here again when hobbits are no more. The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourself in, but you cannot for ever fence it out." "I know -- and yet it has always seemed so safe and familiar." Last edited by Churl : 10-08-2001 at 06:13 PM.

10-08-2001, 06:52 PM	#2
Sakata Elven Warrior Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Lothlorien Posts: 216	Thats really cool, it gives a lot of meaning to that passage when it is happening to our own little shire. __________________ "When evil people come to destroy me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear." -Psalms 27:2-3 -Dare you venture into Gollum's Lair? JESUS LIVES!

10-08-2001, 11:43 PM	#5
Ñólendil Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: California Posts: 60,865	Very good insight. You're quite right of course, the passage seems to have been made for this sort of time. Welcome to Entmoot! __________________ Falmon -- Dylan

10-09-2001, 12:41 AM	#6
Sakata Elven Warrior Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Lothlorien Posts: 216	Aye, welcome to Entmoot, we could use some more intelligent posts like yours __________________ "When evil people come to destroy me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear." -Psalms 27:2-3 -Dare you venture into Gollum's Lair? JESUS LIVES!

10-09-2001, 01:38 AM	#7
Varda Elven Warrior Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Carmel Valley, CA Posts: 146	very interesting.... and welcome! __________________ "Life's a journey, not a destination." --Steven Tyler, Aerosmith, Arwen's daddy MySpace

10-08-2001, 07:04 PM	#3
Comic Book Guy Best Ex-Administrator ever Join Date: May 2001 Location: Ireland Posts: 60,547	Welcome Churl, interesting name, where is it from?

10-08-2001, 07:18 PM	#4
Churl Elven Warrior Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 128	Where did the nickname "Churl" come from? ...From too many churlish observations in younger days (I've mellowed a little since then). My churlishness is the result of being an idealist and a realist simultaneously: not an easy balancing act.

10-09-2001, 08:43 PM	#8
cee2lee2 Elf Lord Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: 2nd star to the left..... Posts: 566	Hello! The passage speaks well to our times.

10-09-2001, 10:06 PM	#9
Renille Elven Lady of Speed-posting Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the cheese state Posts: 988	Wow...the things you miss when you aren't really looking...I never even thought of that passage before! Thanks so much for sharing it. __________________ Oh the thinks you can think! Think and wonder and dream...far and wide as you dare! When your thinks have run dry, in the blink of an eye, there's another world there... (from Seussical the Musical. Listen to it...watch it...really.)

10-10-2001, 08:53 PM	#10
arynetrek Elf Lord Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 610	wonderful quote. it never ceases to amaze me how relevant Tolkien's work is. aryne *

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