Second-guessing and Misunderstanding Tolkien

[Radaghast]

Why couldn't Saruman see that Sauron was manipulating him? I know nothing about the books but I've heard that Saruman was the smartest wizard?

Asked by someone calling themself "Book Reader" 🫤 🙄

 

[Radaghast]

Why aren't there any First Age orcs who can beat up Balrogs before breakfast like some First Age elves can?

Maybe they should have tried after breakfast 🙄

 

[Radaghast]

Durin's Bane is sent by Eru to Atlanta, Georgia in human form as punishment with no memory of who or what he was. Eventually, DB rediscovers his beast form & limited abilities. Can DB acclimate to American modern society or survive the suburbs?

 

[Radaghast]

Is there a good way to read the original version of ‘The Hobbit’ with gnomes (in place of Noldor) and a different version of Bilbo’s riddle contest with Gollum?

 

[Elthir]

I think there's a good way: I read it as Bilbo's not fully truthful version, with a smattering of modern references put in there by The Translator.

To be consistent with me: I have to say that JRRT is basically treating (what became) an external problem (of his own making), as internal -- but on my other hand, it was again Tolkien himself who published that Bilbo's original version is still "internal" (still part of the Legendarium), so dot dot dot

dot dot dot that's the way I treat the First Edition Hobbit, anyway.

__________

There are other arguably good ways too: some include taking breaks for icy cream, sea pizza, naps, maybe a little tennis to burn off the icy cream and sea pizza, maybe some vegetables and fruit (if you want to live longer, and by doing so, have more naps). . . but that's me.

Another good way: read the words in the order Tolkien wrote them (left to right). That seems to work.

Yet another good way (I think) is to read the actual (book with paper) First Edition Hobbit: just get rich enough to buy one, if you don't actually have one.

Hmm. Let's see: I once read parts of The Lord of the Rings in the "Bird and Baby" for example, but you could read the original Hobbit there, if and when the pub is open, of course.

Or pick an awesome tree to sit under, or a mountain, or a mossy green-grey great stone wall to sit on, or by, or. . . well you get the picture here.

Ah I just thought of this! Read it during the lights of Tindóme and Undóme!

Or. . . well, I could go on, but it just occurred to me. . .

. . . maybe I don't understand the question in the first place!

🐾

 

[Tar-Elenion]

but on my other hand,

🐾

???
Paw....

 

[Elthir]

Considering all the typing I do, in, um, a sense,
I consider my front paws "hand" paws. Cough.

That said, I know a guy whose best
friend's cousin sent me this picture
of some cat. I never met him myself.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

 

[Radaghast]

Should Gandalf have taken the Ring to Mordor himself?

 

[Andromadus the Invictus]

Yeah, definitely not 😂

 

[Radaghast]

Why did Gandalf allow Frodo to decide which path to take in The Fellowship of the Ring? Isn't Frodo too sheltered to make an informed decision?

This is one of the reasons I just love the movies 🙄

Also, great decision to remove the warg attack in the book and replace it with "Let the Ringbearer decide." 😖

 

[Radaghast]

After the last re-reading of the Lord of The Rings it seemed like Pippin was being set up and making decisions that would lead him to be a traitor. Didi anyone else see this?

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

Or more to the point,

 

[Radaghast]

How did Bombal come to the aid of Frodo so quickly after he sang the song? Also, why did taking out the riches of the barrow break the spell on them?

He ran so fast that he forgot the 'D' and the 'I' in his name at home.

 

[Deimos]

"After the last re-reading of the Lord of The Rings it seemed like Pippin was being set up and making decisions that would lead him to be a traitor. Did anyone else see this?"​

Not on your tin-type.
Not in a week of Sundays.
Not in these trousers.

 

[Deimos]

How did Bombal come to the aid of Frodo so quickly after he sang the song?

He does Diaphramatc, Pursed Lips, and Alternate Nostril breathing exercises.

 

[Radaghast]

In Lord Of The Rings, if a Human or Elve gave birth to a Dwarf sized member of their own species would the child have been accepted or shunned in society with their parents being rumored to have been romantically involved with Dwarves causing it?

No, but they would shun you for using the word 'elve'.

 

[Deimos]

In Lord Of The Rings, if a Human or Elve gave birth to a Dwarf sized member of their own species would the child have been accepted or shunned in society with their parents being rumored to have been romantically involved with Dwarves causing it?

It is obvious you watch too many soap operas, and very badly written ones at that.

 

[Radaghast]

What was Sauron's reason for choosing to invade Gondor instead of Mirkwood or Lothlorien in The Lord of the Rings?

What was your reason for choosing not to read the book? 🙄

 

[Deimos]

What was Sauron's reason for choosing to invade Gondor instead of Mirkwood or Lothlorien in The Lord of the Rings?