Tolkien and everyday life - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Rilwen Gamgee · 01-11-2004, 02:33 PM

Alright, I watched a presentation on TV a while ago about Tolkien and the man who was speaking to the audience (college students) mentioned how some people wish they lived in Middle-earth. He began to discuss about why they would want that and why wouldn't they be content enough with the current life. Also, if you were blind and one morning woke up and found that miraculessly you could see, how would you feel? Thankful, no? Many people who aren't blind don't understand this and therefore are pretty much bored with how life looks.

I'm trying to sum up some of what this man said and I apologize if it sounds vague [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img] , but my question is: ever since you read LotR or any other Tolkien book, did you look at life differently?

I'll start. I began looking at nature in a different way. Just treasuring the beauty.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 6:34 PM January 13, 2004: Message edited by: Rilwen Gamgee ]

symestreem · 01-11-2004, 03:06 PM

This isn't the question you asked, but life in Middle-earth probably wouldn't be all that it was cracked up to be. Remember, somewhat medievle (yes I know) era: sanitation, medicine, and diet were not modern. The standard of living was lower for most people, because most people were peasants. I think the reason most people would want to live in Middle-earth was for adventure, but few Endorians had these adventures.

Arwen Evenstar · 01-20-2004, 06:22 PM

Yes, I have looked at life very differently! Almost everything reminds me of LotR, and I often find myself thinking thoughts such as, "What would Gandalf do?" It`s also given me a better understanding of war. I knew it was really bad, but as I`m miles away, I don`t really think about all the people dying, and stuff, but now, I see it as a much worse thing thanks to LotR. I think of the characters in LotR as my friends, and often "talk" to the pictures and posters on my wall. It seems to help me. Maybe I`m just over obsessed. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

ElenCala Isil · 01-20-2004, 09:53 PM

Indeed, I have. I too, have come to embrace nature more so than I ever did before I read LotR (and am now trying to get involved with as many environmental projects as I can) and I am contantly reminded of the writings of the Good Professor through everyday things. I don't think a single day passes when something just randomly reminds me of LotR.

Going along with the nature scene, I never paid much attention to the waters, the seas, but after reading the books, I sort of have a - I don't know, maybe a respect for the sea.

And often I think about how a certain situation I am in would be handled by different characters, or in Middle-Earth in general. Also, I can't help but burst out in a hobbity drinking song when great cheer and merriment is about. [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Ainaserkewen · 01-21-2004, 02:43 PM

Ponder my signature.

Lyta_Underhill · 01-21-2004, 05:43 PM

Great topic, Rilwen! I understand exactly what you mean. I think the idea of Middle Earth touches a common thread within many people who seek a deeper connection to their world. To have a sentient forest is especially satisfying, even when the residents are sometimes not too nice (i.e., Old Man Willow). The idea that the land is alive and, in some cases, interactive brings far more possibility to a simple landscape, tree or stone structure. There is a deep feeling of history, not only in the doings of the Men, but also in hidden realms of otherworldly beings--Elves, Dwarves, Ents, Trolls, even talking birds! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

It sort of anthropomorphizes and aestheticizes the entire universe, so that one not only sees an old tree or hears the winds, but can imagine the inner life of the tree and the Music of the Ainur wafting in its endless iterations along a random winter breeze.

For my own part, I read the LOTR in 1991 at the behest of my husband, who had been a fan in the 1970's. I inhaled it, reading rather too fast, but I enjoyed it, fell in love with Sam for his faithfulness and plain Hobbit-sense, and basically treated it like one in a series of good books I had read in my life. I didn't really think about it consciously for a long time. But years later, I had an experience that made it clear to me that Middle Earth had been stirred inside me and ruled parts of my subconscious that I was totally unaware of. In 1998, I had an "Ent encounter," and became attached to the small nuances of nature, the sounds of trees, the feeling of outdoor spaces, etc. Even then, it took me awhile to pick the books up again and re-explore the world that seemed to be boiling up out of my subconscious despite my obliviousness. I must thank the movies for prompting me to take the books up again and immerse myself irretrievably in Middle Earth.

I would say more, but there is so much more to say that I can't think of any of it at the moment!
Cheers!
Lyta

Kaiserin · 01-21-2004, 10:03 PM

Tolkien's books have helped me to appreciate literature and fantasy, and challenged me to be bolder with my writing and ideas. They've got a lot of meaningful principles but it's hard for me to say if they have shaped my life (probably because i read them at a young age) - but they've influenced me, that's for sure.

Quote:

I must thank the movies for prompting me to take the books up again and immerse myself irretrievably in Middle Earth.

Aye, I too.

Rilwen Gamgee · 02-03-2004, 02:19 PM

Wow, I'm not alone! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

So, what part of the books or which character intrigued you enough to change your life?

I was impacted by Sam and his love of all things green and how Tolkien used nature in a special way so much in his writing. Such as the Shire and the Lothlorien Elves lived among and in the trees. Also, how Yavanna dedicated almost her entire life to creating and nurturing. I’ve become more connected to nature now than I ever was before. I even talk to trees... They listen. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Kransha · 02-03-2004, 02:31 PM

Yes, I have seen the world differently, but in a rather strange way. Let me see if I can explain, though it shouldn't be that hard to do so.

I find that I can classify people into LotR Character/Personality Categories because of the book. This is mainly because LotR has such distinct ways of portrayal that each character stands out as an individual. I know people who I've categorized as Denethors, Eowyns (oh, there are a lot of these), Gandalfs, Sarumans (one of my friends told me that I fit in this category), and all the rest. But that's only one facet.

Ashton · 02-03-2004, 05:12 PM

One thing I really see differently since I read the Books is war. I really never Imagined what it is like and I didn't realize that people were dying or getting wounded, people that had their own lives and families. I have found that war affects everybody, no matter who you are and where you live. Tolkien really puts this element of war into his books.

I also see nature differently. Whenever I go into a forest I think of all the things that Tolkien portrayed in Fangorn and Lothlórien Forests. I think that maybe trees do have a life of their own and they care when something happens to the Forest around them. I have actually gotten involved in trying to preserve forests and wilderness because of Tolkeins insights.

Eglaladiel · 02-03-2004, 07:34 PM

of course! when i first read the Hobbit in 1999, i was totally obsessed! [ i was about 10 ] i always wished that i could be a traveler, and just randomly join bilbo and the dwarves on their adventure!!! i just was mad about the books really...i dont think i appreciated history as much as i did before reading the books...just te hunger to noe more...i dunno, lol... this was a fantasy novel, and in no way did i relate it to what it really would be have been like in that tyme period...and in response to some ones post about how it would be very much like medival times and how we wouldnt enjoy it....well, there is a fine line between reality and Tolkien! who cares if it wasnt realistic! i would still love it if i could just wake up and find miself in Edoras or Lorien or something! LOL. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 8:36 PM February 03, 2004: Message edited by: Eglaladiel ]

Isowen · 08-10-2004, 05:58 AM

I think I know what you're getting at. I totally agree with what everyone said. I think that everytime I read lotr, I appreciate things more. Such as the beauty of things, like seasons and nature and flowers etc. I think that lotr has helped me write my stories too (i write fantasy stories, NOT fanfiction) I guess it just makes you think about how great it would be to live in ME, so that you kind of imagine your surroundings are like those in ME, if you know what I mean.

yavanna II · 08-10-2004, 06:17 AM

Yeah. It changed me a bit.
After I've readthe part where Boromir became ring-mad and sorta lost his temper, I started to be a bit more patient.

My dad says that after I read the sil my old temper came back... maybe coz of Feanor....

Oh. also when I became interested in those poetries in the book.... I started appreciating poems. I've even begun studying Olde English....
then I've noticed, I can speak English fluently*blushes* cause Prof Tolkien barely made grammatic errors... that was a few years ago!

01-11-2004, 02:33 PM	#1
Rilwen Gamgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At home. Posts: 135	Tolkien and everyday life Alright, I watched a presentation on TV a while ago about Tolkien and the man who was speaking to the audience (college students) mentioned how some people wish they lived in Middle-earth. He began to discuss about why they would want that and why wouldn't they be content enough with the current life. Also, if you were blind and one morning woke up and found that miraculessly you could see, how would you feel? Thankful, no? Many people who aren't blind don't understand this and therefore are pretty much bored with how life looks. I'm trying to sum up some of what this man said and I apologize if it sounds vague [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img] , but my question is: ever since you read LotR or any other Tolkien book, did you look at life differently? I'll start. I began looking at nature in a different way. Just treasuring the beauty. <font size=1 color=339966>[ 6:34 PM January 13, 2004: Message edited by: Rilwen Gamgee ]

01-11-2004, 03:06 PM	#2
symestreem Face in the Water Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 728	This isn't the question you asked, but life in Middle-earth probably wouldn't be all that it was cracked up to be. Remember, somewhat medievle (yes I know) era: sanitation, medicine, and diet were not modern. The standard of living was lower for most people, because most people were peasants. I think the reason most people would want to live in Middle-earth was for adventure, but few Endorians had these adventures. __________________ A Gandalf-uncloaking-free zone.

01-20-2004, 09:53 PM	#4
ElenCala Isil Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somewhere Else Posts: 439	Indeed, I have. I too, have come to embrace nature more so than I ever did before I read LotR (and am now trying to get involved with as many environmental projects as I can) and I am contantly reminded of the writings of the Good Professor through everyday things. I don't think a single day passes when something just randomly reminds me of LotR. Going along with the nature scene, I never paid much attention to the waters, the seas, but after reading the books, I sort of have a - I don't know, maybe a respect for the sea. And often I think about how a certain situation I am in would be handled by different characters, or in Middle-Earth in general. Also, I can't help but burst out in a hobbity drinking song when great cheer and merriment is about. [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ Prevent Merry-abuse today! Join the S.A.M. (That's the Save-A-Merry foundation) Rivendell brought to you by the long lost sister of the guy who be short.

01-21-2004, 02:43 PM	#5
Ainaserkewen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A cosmic waiting room Posts: 651	Ponder my signature. __________________ Solus... I'm eating chicken again. I ate chicken yesterday and the day before... will I be eating chicken again tomorrow? Why am I always eating chicken?

01-21-2004, 05:43 PM	#6
Lyta_Underhill Haunted Halfling Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: an uncounted length of steps--floating between air molecules Posts: 841	Great topic, Rilwen! I understand exactly what you mean. I think the idea of Middle Earth touches a common thread within many people who seek a deeper connection to their world. To have a sentient forest is especially satisfying, even when the residents are sometimes not too nice (i.e., Old Man Willow). The idea that the land is alive and, in some cases, interactive brings far more possibility to a simple landscape, tree or stone structure. There is a deep feeling of history, not only in the doings of the Men, but also in hidden realms of otherworldly beings--Elves, Dwarves, Ents, Trolls, even talking birds! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] It sort of anthropomorphizes and aestheticizes the entire universe, so that one not only sees an old tree or hears the winds, but can imagine the inner life of the tree and the Music of the Ainur wafting in its endless iterations along a random winter breeze. For my own part, I read the LOTR in 1991 at the behest of my husband, who had been a fan in the 1970's. I inhaled it, reading rather too fast, but I enjoyed it, fell in love with Sam for his faithfulness and plain Hobbit-sense, and basically treated it like one in a series of good books I had read in my life. I didn't really think about it consciously for a long time. But years later, I had an experience that made it clear to me that Middle Earth had been stirred inside me and ruled parts of my subconscious that I was totally unaware of. In 1998, I had an "Ent encounter," and became attached to the small nuances of nature, the sounds of trees, the feeling of outdoor spaces, etc. Even then, it took me awhile to pick the books up again and re-explore the world that seemed to be boiling up out of my subconscious despite my obliviousness. I must thank the movies for prompting me to take the books up again and immerse myself irretrievably in Middle Earth. I would say more, but there is so much more to say that I can't think of any of it at the moment! Cheers! Lyta __________________ “…she laid herself to rest upon Cerin Amroth; and there is her green grave, until the world is changed, and all the days of her life are utterly forgotten by men that come after, and elanor and niphredil bloom no more east of the Sea.”

01-20-2004, 06:22 PM	#3
Arwen Evenstar Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 131	Yes, I have looked at life very differently! Almost everything reminds me of LotR, and I often find myself thinking thoughts such as, "What would Gandalf do?" It`s also given me a better understanding of war. I knew it was really bad, but as I`m miles away, I don`t really think about all the people dying, and stuff, but now, I see it as a much worse thing thanks to LotR. I think of the characters in LotR as my friends, and often "talk" to the pictures and posters on my wall. It seems to help me. Maybe I`m just over obsessed. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

02-03-2004, 02:19 PM	#8
Rilwen Gamgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At home. Posts: 135	Wow, I'm not alone! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] So, what part of the books or which character intrigued you enough to change your life? I was impacted by Sam and his love of all things green and how Tolkien used nature in a special way so much in his writing. Such as the Shire and the Lothlorien Elves lived among and in the trees. Also, how Yavanna dedicated almost her entire life to creating and nurturing. I’ve become more connected to nature now than I ever was before. I even talk to trees... They listen. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

02-03-2004, 02:31 PM	#9
Kransha Ubiquitous Urulóki Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The port of Mars, where Famine, Sword, and Fire, leash'd in like hounds, crouch for employment Posts: 747	Yes, I have seen the world differently, but in a rather strange way. Let me see if I can explain, though it shouldn't be that hard to do so. I find that I can classify people into LotR Character/Personality Categories because of the book. This is mainly because LotR has such distinct ways of portrayal that each character stands out as an individual. I know people who I've categorized as Denethors, Eowyns (oh, there are a lot of these), Gandalfs, Sarumans (one of my friends told me that I fit in this category), and all the rest. But that's only one facet. __________________ "What mortal feels not awe/Nor trembles at our name, Hearing our fate-appointed power sublime/Fixed by the eternal law. For old our office, and our fame," -Aeschylus, Song of the Furies

02-03-2004, 05:12 PM	#10
Ashton Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Middle Earth (Where else would I be?) Posts: 33	One thing I really see differently since I read the Books is war. I really never Imagined what it is like and I didn't realize that people were dying or getting wounded, people that had their own lives and families. I have found that war affects everybody, no matter who you are and where you live. Tolkien really puts this element of war into his books. I also see nature differently. Whenever I go into a forest I think of all the things that Tolkien portrayed in Fangorn and Lothlórien Forests. I think that maybe trees do have a life of their own and they care when something happens to the Forest around them. I have actually gotten involved in trying to preserve forests and wilderness because of Tolkeins insights. __________________ Eat, Drink and be Merry......or Pippin.

02-03-2004, 07:34 PM	#11
Eglaladiel Haunting Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Rivendell... Posts: 55	of course! when i first read the Hobbit in 1999, i was totally obsessed! [ i was about 10 ] i always wished that i could be a traveler, and just randomly join bilbo and the dwarves on their adventure!!! i just was mad about the books really...i dont think i appreciated history as much as i did before reading the books...just te hunger to noe more...i dunno, lol... this was a fantasy novel, and in no way did i relate it to what it really would be have been like in that tyme period...and in response to some ones post about how it would be very much like medival times and how we wouldnt enjoy it....well, there is a fine line between reality and Tolkien! who cares if it wasnt realistic! i would still love it if i could just wake up and find miself in Edoras or Lorien or something! LOL. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] <font size=1 color=339966>[ 8:36 PM February 03, 2004: Message edited by: Eglaladiel ] __________________ <3 -R.I.P. Padfoot (sniffle, sniffle)

08-10-2004, 05:58 AM	#12
Isowen Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The blackened depths Posts: 86	I think I know what you're getting at. I totally agree with what everyone said. I think that everytime I read lotr, I appreciate things more. Such as the beauty of things, like seasons and nature and flowers etc. I think that lotr has helped me write my stories too (i write fantasy stories, NOT fanfiction) I guess it just makes you think about how great it would be to live in ME, so that you kind of imagine your surroundings are like those in ME, if you know what I mean. __________________ I hope Butterbur sends this promptly. A worthy man, but his memory is like a lumber -room: Thing wanted always burried, If he forgets, I shall roast him.

08-10-2004, 06:17 AM	#13
yavanna II Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: in my own little world Posts: 142	Yeah. It changed me a bit. After I've readthe part where Boromir became ring-mad and sorta lost his temper, I started to be a bit more patient. My dad says that after I read the sil my old temper came back... maybe coz of Feanor.... Oh. also when I became interested in those poetries in the book.... I started appreciating poems. I've even begun studying Olde English.... then I've noticed, I can speak English fluentlyblushes cause Prof Tolkien barely made grammatic errors... that was a few years ago! Last edited by yavanna II; 08-10-2004 at 06:21 AM.