"Frodo may not be able to go home again, but, like Earendil, he will be lifted up by the Great as a guiding light. Not just to Middle-earth but to earth-dwellers through the ages who find themselves living in dark times, whether in themselves or in the world. And his small, true light will illuminate their minds, fire their spirits, and burn in their hearts"
I feel I should quote Gandalf here ~ "And that is an encouraging thought". But to be honest, I feel more like quoting Sam ~ "I don't know why, but it makes me sad". Whatever Frodo's ultimate fate was when he sailed into the West, I will never get over the fact that he was unable to stay in his beloved Shire - it breaks my heart.
This was such an interesting post Mechtild ~ thank you so much for sharing your fascinating observations:) And needless to say, the pic is breathtakingly beautiful - that expression on his face, I can't find a word to describe it (but I'm sure you can!!). You're right, that whole series of costume shots was amazing - in fact, I believe my icon is from one of them:)
Not alone, I thought about it driving to the store, this "light thing" and the Elves and Frodo. It occurred to me that while theirs seemed almost to be the remnants of the light of Aman, still reflected from their faces, as a sign of where they once lived, and of the grace they still carry with them. But Frodo's pointedly was said to come from within. The light of the High Elves always reminds me of a biblical passage, when Moses comes down from the mountain top in Exodus, after he has seen God face to face. The Israelites described his face as shining, almost difficult to look upon when he first came down.
Perhaps the light that shone from the Elves and from Frodo are of both sorts.
Reading scenes in which they are in each other's presence, I have imagined Frodo's face shining more when he is with them because his reflects their light; he is "sympatico" with them; he shares their aesthetic: the love of the good, true, and beautiful.
But the light that grows from within Frodo is something that not all the Elves have. If you have read the stories of the First Age, you will see that the hearts of Elves can be very murky and dark.
But whether it shines from within, or is reflected, I think Tolkien meant the light to imply holiness, grace, inner beauty of a particularly spiritual nature.
Thanks, Not Alone. I agree that Frodo's departure is terribly sad. Don't I always sob over it? But over the years I've conme to see the good of it, good for him, and, as a reader, for me. I know a lot of fans think the ending would have been improved if Tolkien had given Frodo the happy ending he so deserved, but I think it would have lessened the book. It would not be the book that moves me so. The theme that there are always those who are sacrificed that others may live is a powerful one for me, and Frodo's bittersweet ending underscores that.
Yes, your icon is from the "portrait" series. And what a beaut! I have used it for an old manip which should be redone, the "insert" is technically so poor. But I didn't know how to do it properly then.
This icon is from that series, too. (Ooops, clicked the wrong one; have to re-do that.)
"I know a lot of fans think the ending would have been improved if Tolkien had given Frodo the happy ending he so deserved, but I think it would have lessened the book. It would not be the book that moves me so.
Oh, I couldn't agree more!! The first time I read ROTK I felt like screaming at Tolkien & throwing the book across the room for this ending. But at the same time I knew that it could never have been a happy-ever-after ending - it is, of course, Frodo's departure that gives the story its great poignancy.
Oh, I couldn't agree more!! The first time I read ROTK I felt like screaming at Tolkien & throwing the book across the room for this ending.
Me, too! But I actually did throw the book down at my first reading, sobbing. I don't mean tearing but loud, noisy, full-out sobbing, and anger mixed in with the painful sorrow, giving it extra volume. I walked around in circles, making my complaints known between intakes of breath. Really, I was a sight. Thank goodness no one else was there.
I feel I should quote Gandalf here ~ "And that is an encouraging thought". But to be honest, I feel more like quoting Sam ~ "I don't know why, but it makes me sad". Whatever Frodo's ultimate fate was when he sailed into the West, I will never get over the fact that he was unable to stay in his beloved Shire - it breaks my heart.
This was such an interesting post Mechtild ~ thank you so much for sharing your fascinating observations:) And needless to say, the pic is breathtakingly beautiful - that expression on his face, I can't find a word to describe it (but I'm sure you can!!). You're right, that whole series of costume shots was amazing - in fact, I believe my icon is from one of them:)
This was a wonderful post Mechtild
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Perhaps the light that shone from the Elves and from Frodo are of both sorts.
Reading scenes in which they are in each other's presence, I have imagined Frodo's face shining more when he is with them because his reflects their light; he is "sympatico" with them; he shares their aesthetic: the love of the good, true, and beautiful.
But the light that grows from within Frodo is something that not all the Elves have. If you have read the stories of the First Age, you will see that the hearts of Elves can be very murky and dark.
But whether it shines from within, or is reflected, I think Tolkien meant the light to imply holiness, grace, inner beauty of a particularly spiritual nature.
Reply
Yes, your icon is from the "portrait" series. And what a beaut! I have used it for an old manip which should be redone, the "insert" is technically so poor. But I didn't know how to do it properly then.
This icon is from that series, too. (Ooops, clicked the wrong one; have to re-do that.)
Reply
Oh, I couldn't agree more!! The first time I read ROTK I felt like screaming at Tolkien & throwing the book across the room for this ending. But at the same time I knew that it could never have been a happy-ever-after ending - it is, of course, Frodo's departure that gives the story its great poignancy.
Reply
Me, too! But I actually did throw the book down at my first reading, sobbing. I don't mean tearing but loud, noisy, full-out sobbing, and anger mixed in with the painful sorrow, giving it extra volume. I walked around in circles, making my complaints known between intakes of breath. Really, I was a sight. Thank goodness no one else was there.
But I started reading it all over again. :)
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