What are some things that J.R.R Tolkien did wrong in his writings?

[Deimos]

But Frodo was already on the far side of the Ford. If Asfaloth wanted to get away, there's nothing impeding him (also, since Asfaloth is significantly faster than the Black Riders' horses, then there's even less reason for him to worry; another possible oddity). Again, the horse turns around and Frodo is "urgently" commanded to stop. So, Frodo is stopped by the Witch-king and Asfaloth is somehow stopped by Frodo. It's not a major thing, though.

Oh, I see...my bad.... I was thinking that this occurred as they were approaching the Ford.

 

[Radaghast]

I'm not sure I see any such implication here:

This looks like an autonomous volitional act by Asfaloth, with which Frodo has nothing to do. Only later in the passage does he feel "commanded urgently to halt". It's true that "he had no longer the strength to refuse", but neither does he try to restrain the horse, who has turned in defiance of the Nazgul. We could speculate that he might, had he had the strength, have at least tried to urge the horse to turn and run, but Asafloth seems to have had a mind of his own about it.

But Frodo later says even Asfaloth was "terrified", so purposely facing the Nazgûl when flight is possible is an odd thing to do. And surely Asfaloth knows the way to Rivendell?

 

[Deimos]

But Frodo later says even Asfaloth was "terrified", so purposely facing the Nazgûl when flight is possible is an odd thing to do. And surely Asfaloth knows the way to Rivendell?

Tending to side with @Radaghast on this ... that it seems odd ("anomalous"...aka a Tolkien "misstep") that Asfaloth would stop

 

[Elthir]

". . . for Glorfindel knew that a flood would come down, if the Riders tried to cross, . . ."
JRRT, Many Meetings

So Asfaloth knew as well, obviously.

Tolkien once explained Asfaloth as meaning "Sunlit foam" and surely the white horses in the flood -- with frothing manes -- could also be said to have had foaming manes!

It. All. Fits.

____________
Flight To The Ford

"Fly!"he called. "Fly! The enemy is upon us!"
" . . . on the left four other Riders came flying."
". . . the elf-horse speeding as if on wings. . ."

I apologize in advance!

 

[Halasían]

Can a writer get their writings wrong?
Wouldn't they then be a wronger?

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

But Frodo later says even Asfaloth was "terrified",

He did say that, but also that he was "dim". Given his condition during these events, and the fact that, as far as I can see in the text, there's no indication of it, I'd tend to distrust his judgment.

On the other hand, the Nazgul do affect animals as well as people, as seen in Bree, with just one present. Asfaloth was no doubt a loyal "elf-horse", of course, but Maggot's dogs were I'm sure just as loyal, and one of them turned tail and ran off howling. And we can't forget Eärnur, whose horse ran away with him, when confronted with the Witch-king. Only Shadowfax, "of all the free horses of the world" seems to have been able to remain unmoved in his presence.

So I guess it's up to the reader whether Asfoloth was actually "terrified", though I'd still maintain my impression that Frodo's actions or feelings had no effect on him.

There's one error Tolkien himself admitted concerning Asfaloth: giving him a "bit and bridle" which he changed to "headstall" when pointed out by a reader. But he left "reins" which seems odd; what would they be attached to?

 

[Radaghast]

So I guess it's up to the reader whether Asfoloth was actually "terrified", though I'd still maintain my impression that Frodo's actions or feelings had no effect on him.

There's one error Tolkien himself admitted concerning Asfaloth: giving him a "bit and bridle" which he changed to "headstall" when pointed out by a reader. But he left "reins" which seems odd; what would they be attached to?

I agree about that, Asfaloth hardly comes off as terrified, especially as he neighs "fiercely". Also, something occurs to me just as I type this. What if Asfaloth stops at the water's edge for the express purpose of drawing the Nazgûl into the path of the flood, as part of a plan orchestrated beforehand with Glorfindel, Gandalf and Elrond? After all, wouldn't it be easier to repel the Ringwraiths from Rivendell in the river than on land? That could be very long and drawn out. And if Asfaloth simply runs off into the trees after fording the rive there's no time to gather the Nine together to wash them all away. It's the perfect trap.

I like this theory the more I think of it and it would not surprise me if this is what Tolkien had in mind.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

@Elthir seems to have had the same thought.

I think. 🤔

 

[Radaghast]

@Elthir seems to have had the same thought.

I think. 🤔

Agreed. And now that I consider it, it seems like it should have been obvious 🫤

On the other hand it's fun to realize things that went over my head before.

 

[Elthir]

Always trust an Elf-horse!

 

[Idril Celebrindal]

I can think of very few things that Tolkien could have done better, but I do kind of wish he had killed a few more characters off. Only 1 out of 9 members of the Fellowship died despite the fact that they were attacked by orcs many times and were in several battles. I think he should have maybe killed off Merry to make the danger seem more, well, dangerous. Otherwise, I can't really find anything wrong with the plot, I even enjoy the preface about pipeweed after a fashion.

 

[Radaghast]

I can think of very few things that Tolkien could have done better, but I do kind of wish he had killed a few more characters off. Only 1 out of 9 members of the Fellowship died despite the fact that they were attacked by orcs many times and were in several battles. I think he should have maybe killed off Merry to make the danger seem more, well, dangerous. Otherwise, I can't really find anything wrong with the plot, I even enjoy the preface about pipeweed after a fashion.

Why Merry, in particular?

 

[Melkorendil]

Well it's not really a Mistake, or Failure but I honestly wish that there would be more presence of the Title Character aka Sauron himself. I know it's not a bug it's a feature to not reveal to much about the antagonist but idk I still wish there would be more xD

 

[Ent]

I think he should have maybe killed off Merry to make the danger seem more, well, dangerous.

Wow, I'm glad he didn't do this.... would have killed off the whole first book of my trilogy moving into the Fourth Age.
Peregrin Took: My Road.

 

[Elwing the White]

Honestly I kind of agree that he should have killed off a bit more characters.
I wasn't really thinking about the Fellowship but maybe some of the dwarves from the Company. Most of them don't really have personalities or anything interesting about them, so at least a few could die (or contribute more to the plot).

 

[Elthir]

Only 1 out of 9 members of the Fellowship died despite the fact that they were attacked by orcs many times and were in several battles.

I think you might be
forgetting someone!

 

[Radaghast]

Also, I don't know if it's accurate to say they were attacked many times.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

I think you might be
forgetting someone!

 

[Radaghast]

View attachment 39257

🫤

 

[Elthir]

Still counts!