Azariah’s Comments (group member since May 15, 2013)

Azariah’s comments from the Tolkien's T.C.B.S group.

Star Shining Forever wrote: "The LOTR soundtrack is the best!!! B-)"

I do agree :)

Melissa wrote: "Sue wrote: "Interesting idea. The most obviously different I think is Arwen, or not so much different as more active rather than a rather passive love interest figure."

as for arwen you are quit..."

I agree. I really liked Arwen's role in the film trilogy as Aragorn's love interest and source of strength. Maybe it's because I'm a natural romantic. Aragorn and Arwen's relationship that mirrors that of Beren and Luthien's is significant in the story overall. Furthermore, I believe Faramir and Aragorn are noble Gondorians in the films. They're all the more noble because they have to endure so many things. We get a glimpse of Faramir's fractured relatinship with Denethor, for example.

Woolfie wrote: "http://allpoetry.com/poem/8499993-Tom...
Tom Bombadil, potentially one of the most eccentric, unnecessary, irrelevant or underrated characters?"

Perhaps Peter Jackson viewed Tom Bombadil that way (eccentric, unnecessary, irrelevant), hence he (and Ralph Bakshi) omitted Tom Bombadil from the film trilogy because they felt he would make the film unnecessarily long. I guess it's because Tom Bombadil doesn't contribute much to the Quest of the Ring which directors Jackson and Bakshi were focusing on.

I don't think Tom is unnecessary, however. He and his wife Goldberry serve to shed light on the magic of Middle Earth. They are magical beings and their presence is felt by the creatures of the forest, such as Old Man Willow. In the book, "The Fellowship of the Ring" Tom sings to Old Man Willow at Withywindle to free the hobbits. This scene is similar to that of Pippin and Merry's mishap with the Huorn in Fangorn Forest in the film, "The Two Towers". In Treebeard’s soothing commands to the Huorn (“Eat earth, dig deep, drink water, go to sleep”) is echoed the power that Tom has over Old Man Willow: ”Old Man Willow? Naught worse than that, eh? That can soon be mended. I know the tune for him.”

So, who exactly is Tom Bombadil? According to Goldberry,”'He is the Master of wood, water, and hill.” Furthermore, Tom is the “eldest”, and he remembers “the first raindrop and the first acorn... the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.” Therefore, Tom Bombadil is a vision of the primordial forest, the newly born earth, the untainted heart. That's basically the Middle Earth that the Free Peoples are fighting to bring back.

I also like how this bildungsroman, a formation novel, depicts journey and progress in two key senses: Bilbo's adventures with the dwarves and the impact that these journeys have on him. He learns a lot by leaving the cosy Shire and going out into the world. He gains new values and a sense of accomplishment and personal advancement which make him much more than just a homebody residing at Bag End. I simply love how Bilbo changes and grows braver each day, being the smallest person that changes the course of the future.

I own both the theatrical version and Extended Version of the LOTR trilogy on DVD. Pure goodness. I also bought "The Hobbit" the other day and watched it thrice during the weekend. Homework was abandoned. For Gondor!

Argonath Bookends! I need those on my bookshelf. I'm certainly pleased with a lot of members here who've got some form of Tolkien-related paraphernalia. True fans. My goal for now is to get hold of the History of Middle Earth books, all thirteen of them.

Morrosseth wrote: "I own a hardback cover of The Children of Hurin that has it's own case and has full color paintings by Alan Lee inside. I don't know if that counts?
I'm not sure what qualifies as a Special Edition?"

Yes I have that book too! Great story and Alan Lee's illustrations are amazing

The music is amazing! I loved the music in the LOTR trilogy. I also liked how each region/town/city had their own musical theme. The Shire theme is cosy and pleasant, the Rohan theme is poignant and the theme of Gondor is just glorious.

I especially loved the Hobbit soundtrack. I can hear adventure, long lost kingdoms and past glories in this brilliant piece of music. Here's the full score:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuBWqd...

I conclude that Howard Shore is a composer sent by the Valar to enchant us all.

Thank you for starting this group! So happy to join the Tea Club and Barrovian Society. The topics look great. Tolkien and his mates would be proud :)