A Portrait of the Artist

[armarielrozita]

Author: Armariel
Title: A Portrait of the Artist
Rating: PG
Theme: Hit the Books
Elements: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
Author's Notes: This story did not quite go as planned. I conceived it as a sort of follow-up to "Elanor's Yuletide", in which she is presented as a gifted artist, and in this one, taking place a

Comments

[shirebound]

She would see him as he was, to be sure, yet she would make of him what he could be

What a beautiful line. This is a lovely romance.

[armarielrozita]

Thanks so much Shirebound! So glad you like :):)

[nancylea57]

you really hit the mark with this. it seems that the frodo/sam instinct will save the poor nearly lost soul of the hobbit-lad who wasn't growing well.

[armarielrozita]

Thank you Nancylea! The theme of this story is turning from the false to embrace the true, and in Fastred's case the falseness was from within himself as well as outside. Glad you think the story hit the mark!:):)

[engarian]

This was really delightful, and focused on two characters who always interested me.

- Erulisse (one L)

[armarielrozita]

Thank you Erulisse! They have often intrigued me also. I figure Fastred must have had good stuff in him for Elanor to marry him and Sam to accept him enough to want to make him Warden and all. Still, making him a paragon from the get-go would not have made for a very interesting story, would it? And I've long thought Elanor must have been pretty exceptional herself. Thanks for commenting!

[paranoidangel42]

This is really interesting. I like Fastred's relationship with his grandfather.

[armarielrozita]

Thanks paranoidangel! I rather like it myself.:):)

[blslarner]

I find myself pleased that Fastred is redeemed by his willingness to love one who is able to paint people's souls as he sees her. I feel a bit sorry for Iris, but not a great deal so--she deserves someone who is able to appreciate her as she is and who will not betray her by being drawn to that which is higher than she in both artistry and personality.

I'm glad he decided to return the vase to his grandfather (who clearly knows his Fastred), and love the description of Frodo's portrait. I'd love to have that in my own collection!

[armarielrozita]

Ah, so you have a collection? Wish I had the means and the space....

Yes, I do love a good redemption story as I'm sure you've figured out by now. I wanted this tale to be about the turning from the false, embodied by the prettified and insubstantial milieu in which Iris exists, in order to embrace the true, exemplified by the vital and natural and solid world of Elanor Gamgee and her family. It stands to reason that Fastred could not long hide what he truly is with so many eyes upon him!;)

Thanks so much for commenting Larner!:):)