What makes Merry and Pippin with the 🌳Ents so captivating?

[WeeWillieBanks]

This is my first post. I have read these books numerous times but nothing at all entrances me or sweeps away my imagination like Merry and Pippin with the Ents. This was Tolkiens world and character building at it’s absolute finest in my opinion. The philosophies of the ents, their mannerisms and demeanors, just moving and processing everything so slowly, for centuries, while also being so wise and earthly. It makes Fangorn, and Treebeards dwelling, the place I wish I could visit the most in Middle Earth. To hear their deep booming voices, drink their draught, stand under a stream for hours without much more than a single thought, and to live so slowly while enjoying all of it (all except orcs and the loneliness of the entwives of course). Does anyone else completely vanish into this part of the story like Bastian reading The Neverending Story?

 

[ZehnWaters]

This is my first post. I have read these books numerous times but nothing at all entrances me or sweeps away my imagination like Merry and Pippin with the Ents. This was Tolkiens world and character building at it’s absolute finest in my opinion. The philosophies of the ents, their mannerisms and demeanors, just moving and processing everything so slowly, for centuries, while also being so wise and earthly. It makes Fangorn, and Treebeards dwelling, the place I wish I could visit the most in Middle Earth. To hear their deep booming voices, drink their draught, stand under a stream for hours without much more than a single thought, and to live so slowly while enjoying all of it (all except orcs and the loneliness of the entwives of course). Does anyone else completely vanish into this part of the story like Bastian reading The Neverending Story?

I'm afraid I don't, but I appreciate that you do! Also, I appreciate the Neverending Story reference.

 

[Deimos]

I did. Reading that part the first time swept me into what TS Eliot calls a "timeless moment." Nothing else existed but that.
That initial experience can never be repeated, of course, but re-reading it still captivates me beyond measure.
It is, by far, my favorite chapter in all three books.

 

[WeeWillieBanks]

I did. Reading that part the first time swept me into what TS Eliot calls a "timeless moment." Nothing else existed but that.
That initial experience can never be repeated, of course, but re-reading it still captivates me beyond measure.
It is, by far, my favorite chapter in all three books.

Yes! Same here. Between Ents and Helms Deep and the taming of Sméagol, Two Towers will always be my favorite of the trilogy.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

I too was entranced by the ents, and am glad Tolkien decided (or "discovered") Treebeard was good, rather than the monster he originally envisioned.

And welcome to TTF, WeeWillie! 🙂
If you'd like to introduce yourself "formally", and say more about your particular interests, don't forget our New Members forum:

https://thetolkien.forum/forums/new-members.58/

 

[Deimos]

I don't know who the artist is, and the style is not a little bit fantastical, but somehow this picture (imo) captures the essence of Wellinghall.

 

[Eljorahir]

nothing at all entrances me or sweeps away my imagination like Merry and Pippin with the Ents.

For a good "entrancement" there's nothing like a deep look into the eyes. On my last read-through of the books earlier this year I paid extra attention to Tolkien's descriptions of characters' eyes. I think Pippin's description of Treebeard's eyes might be my favorite:

'These deep eyes were now surveying them, slow and solemn, but very penetrating. They were brown, shot with a green light...One felt as if there was an enormous well behind them, filled up with ages of memory and long, slow, steady thinking; but their surface was sparkling with the present; like sun shimmering on the outer leaves of a vast tree, or on the ripples of a very deep lake...'

 

[Ent]

Well, @WeeWillieBanks, that's uncommonly kind of you, enjoying the Ents and associated habitat.
I almost feel as though I like you...and we must not worry about being hasty..!

 

[WeeWillieBanks]

I don't know who the artist is, and the style is not a little bit fantastical, but somehow this picture (imo) captures the essence of Wellinghall.


View attachment 25568

This is wonderful

 

[Deimos]

OK.. a little bit of bragging here.. no, actually quite a lot 😎.
I have the Weta Master's Collection Treebeard Statue.
Some of you may already be familiar with it....

Weta MC Treebeard

The neat thing about it (other than it just being Totally Cool) is that it can be displayed with or without Merry and Pippin.
When I heard that Weta was going to offer a Treebeard statue in a size proportional to its other statues (1:6) I just started saving my shekels like mad.

The thing is, I have yet to [permanently] assemble it because I don't have a display case for it.
Woodworking is my other hobby (which I only began upon my retirement) and I want to make the case... just haven't got to it yet.
But, here is my still boxed up Treebeard Statue 😥.. the thing is freakin' huge, in two cartons.
He stands over a meter high (with Pippin atop). Weta Statues are sized 1:6, , that is 1/6 size of normal/lifesize.

 

[Deimos]

This is wonderful

Yes, it is 😊
Sometimes I'll just put it up on my monitor while I'm reading, sitting in a regular chair in my "parlour"...( I don't read for pleasure from any kind of screen).
It's very calming.