Second-guessing and Misunderstanding Tolkien

[Deimos]

Frodo is quite surprised to find that despite all his efforts at secrecy, his friends still knew that he was leaving the Shire. What allowed them to guess? What does it say about Merry and Pippin that they insist on coming along?

 

[Radaghast]

Is Fingolfin the best, greatest, most talented swordsman of all fictional universes and the real universe? Isn't there anyone in the real universe and real world and in all fictional universes who uses sword and medieval weapons better than him?

 

[Radaghast]

Would Wyrmbos Stuc have been a good name for a sword in The Lord of the Rings?

I think your brain is "Stuc" on low gear.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

 

[Radaghast]

 

[Deimos]

Not to put too fine of a point on it (except that I am) what the Scarecrow says about the Isosceles triangle is totally wrong.
So he's still pretty stupid... or, rather, whoever wrote the screenplay was "geometry-challenged."

 

[Radaghast]

Not to put too fine of a point on it (except that I am) what the Scarecrow says about the Isosceles triangle is totally wrong.
So he's still pretty stupid... or, rather, whoever wrote the screenplay was "geometry-challenged."

Yeah, the following line in The Simpsons episode (said by some guy in a stall) is, "That's a right triangle, you idiot!"

 

[Radaghast]

Do you agree with George R.R. Martin that it was a mistake for Tolkien to bring Gandalf back as Gandalf the White because Gandalf's sacrifice to save the Fellowship was the most poignant moment and momentous plot development in The Lord of the Rings?

Don't think I've posted this before. In any case, I'm dumbfounded by the number of responses that say 'yes' yet still seem to imply they are fans of the book.

 

[Deimos]

Don't think I've posted this before. In any case, I'm dumbfounded by the number of responses that say 'yes' yet still seem to imply they are fans of the book.

Martin would love to have readers vote his work the greatest book(s) ever written, as they did (twice) for LOTR.
Except it's not going to happen.
Martin will go to his grave with an incurable case of "Tolkien envy".

 

[Radaghast]

I have to wonder if Martin is being a bit tongue-in-cheek with that response. In any case it's these so-called fans that I'm more concerned about. One guy says, "He basically just gets Stronger after Dying. Which logically mary Sue’s him" 🙄 Another likens it to the invincibility of Superman 🫤

Yet another says it's "obviously great" but exhorts you to "imagine" what it would be like if Gandalf stayed dead, which as much as saying re-imagine the book. Which is, frankly, a bit silly. I mean, why? Especially if it's so "obviously great". Makes no sense.

 

[Radaghast]

In Lord Of The Rings, did Gollum tell Gandalf that he used to be called Smeagol and murdered his friend Deagol to get the One Ring since Gandalf knew his name and called his life a sad story?

 

[Radaghast]

A couple of quotes misattributed or gotten wrong. In answer to the question, What is your favorite quote from Lord of the Rings or the Hobbit? one answered:

From the movies:

Gimli: "I'm wasted on cross-country! We Dwarves are natural sprinters! Very dangerous over short distances."

From the books:

Pippin: "What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn’t he?" Merry: "I wouldn’t count on it."

No, that's from the movies too 🙄

Another answered:

Lady Galadriel says to Frodo, “One by one the fellowship will give into the power of the ring”.

Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here, but she never says this. In the first movie, in the opening sequence she says, "One by one the Free lands of Middle earth fell to the power of the ring."

 

[Radaghast]

If the hobbits asked for help during the Scouring of the Shire, would the others of the fellowship rush to help?

How would they ask for help? Skype call? How would any of the Fellowship get there in time? 🙄

 

[Deimos]

If the hobbits asked for help during the Scouring of the Shire, would the others of the fellowship rush to help?

 

[Radaghast]

These are all questions asked by Quora's AI whatchamacallit: Quora Prompt Generator.

What is the reason for Morgoth's hatred towards Melkor?

How did Morgoth defeat Melkor, despite being less powerful?

What is the reason for Morgoth's hatred towards Melkor?

What is the purpose of this thing?

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

 

[Radaghast]

Did Mairon sing of his doom in the song of the Ainur?

Yeah, and it was a huge hit, reaching no. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 in Valinor. It was called "Why I Will Fail (And Why I Don't Care)" 🎸🤘

Sorry, I just can't with this question. Anyone got anything? What am I missing?

 

[Radaghast]

What if the Balrog in Moria had already died before the Fellowship passed through?

Yet another annoying "what if" question. What if, indeed? Would even Tolkien know? Or did he take Gandalf out of the picture (temporarily), just as he did in The Hobbit, to make the story more interesting, not just for the reader but for himself?

Why this obsession with "what would have happened?"

 

[Glorfindel Goldtress]

What if, indeed?

Then Gandalf wouldn't have gotten the XP bonus and upgrade for himself.

 

[Deimos]

Yet another annoying "what if" question. What if, indeed? Would even Tolkien know? Or did he take Gandalf out of the picture (temporarily), just as he did in The Hobbit, to make the story more interesting, not just for the reader but for himself?

Why this obsession with "what would have happened?"

It's not limited to LOTR or any other Tolkien works (or PeeJ movies).
I have BA in History (ASU '96), emphasis on Western Civ.
I can't tell you the number of people**, when they find I "studied history", who want to discuss "what would have happened if <insert historical figure or happening> had <done this, occurred in this way> and not <done that, occurred that way>."
My answer: a polite "No."
If they keep insisting, my answer: another polite "No" with an added "It's a waste of time unless you want to write a novel of historical fiction, In which case, have at it, but I'll not be joining you."

**They are always younger than 50 so I guess "alternative history" is popular with the younger set.