I love the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit books, such great reads, such a strong friendship with the four hobbits and even more with the two subsets of the group: Frodo and Samwise = Merry and Pippen. I have read and seen the story so many times that I often wondered what it would be like to live in the Shire. So peaceful and content.
That quote by Merry is one of my most favourite quotes ever. And The Lord of the Rings is one of my most favourite books ever. I can't even remember my LOTR origin story. I guess I simply moved onto it after reading C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. Even after so many years, I still love rereading it and our family has the tradition of watching the movies every December (or at least, we will try to keep that tradition even if we are all busy).
I have not had the same experience of friends, losing many in my hardest times, when even family was not available. Now, after losing myself in caregiving and much isolation for over a decade, I’m coming back into myself. I want to have close friends again. I would love to feel like someone had my back. But I also understand that I can’t really attract my ‘true’ friends unless I am showing up as ‘true’ me, and that’s a process I’m still in. So, trusting that as I get to know me better, others will too, and those connections may come.
1. I first read The Hobbit for class in seventh grade and fell in love. I can picture the black trade paperback with creepy Gollum peering over Bilbo's shoulder. (My own seventh grader is reading the same right now for school!) I tried the trilogy afterward but wasn't ready for it. I finally read it at age 24 in the year between college and grad school, and I was hooked just in time; the movies came out a year later. Lots of fun seeing them in the theater numerous times with obsessed friends!
2. I think the wisdom (heh) of this statement is in its nuance. Gandalf isn't pitting friendship against wisdom. Instead, he is offering friendship as a deeper, perhaps less cognitive and more gut-level type of wisdom. Choosing others is the way of Love. I don't think that can ever be bad advice, even if it leads to sorrow.
3. My husband and I just finished watching FotR last night. The struggle Boromir experiences once he sees the ring on Elrond's table is wrenching. I hate what he gives in to at the end, but it is also beautiful how--in movie and book--he repents so readily and acts in ultimate friendship toward Merry and Pippin. The ring is powerfully corrupting, yes, but there is a power for good also at work--again tied to friendship.
4. This is such an interesting question. I think it's important to remember that Tolkien created the relationships in the story according to the social strata of his day, and he placed Sam in the role of servant. We have to work through how we feel/think about that. But within the narrative, Frodo's willingness to sacrifice his home and life to destroy the ring, alongside his unwillingness--expressed several times--to draw Sam into the dangerous task, balances Sam's constant giving and doing on behalf of his "master." At least in my mind. :)
5. Grace, understanding. Permission to be our real selves, even when it doesn't look pretty. Permission to change. Loyalty over the years, but an ability to come and go as we need. No pressure to talk every day. A quietly present thereness.
I've never thought of Frodo taking advantage of Sam, I actually find it admirable that he is willing to be vulnerable enough to accept the help, to lean on him, etc. It's not easy for people, especially men, to do so..
I don't see their friendship as that way either. It just occurred to me that through modern lens and the emphasis on boundaries and looking out for ourselves, it might be perceived that way.
I love the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit books, such great reads, such a strong friendship with the four hobbits and even more with the two subsets of the group: Frodo and Samwise = Merry and Pippen. I have read and seen the story so many times that I often wondered what it would be like to live in the Shire. So peaceful and content.
I’ve written a story in ‘a Shire-like setting’–don’t we all need such an escape?
That quote by Merry is one of my most favourite quotes ever. And The Lord of the Rings is one of my most favourite books ever. I can't even remember my LOTR origin story. I guess I simply moved onto it after reading C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. Even after so many years, I still love rereading it and our family has the tradition of watching the movies every December (or at least, we will try to keep that tradition even if we are all busy).
I have not had the same experience of friends, losing many in my hardest times, when even family was not available. Now, after losing myself in caregiving and much isolation for over a decade, I’m coming back into myself. I want to have close friends again. I would love to feel like someone had my back. But I also understand that I can’t really attract my ‘true’ friends unless I am showing up as ‘true’ me, and that’s a process I’m still in. So, trusting that as I get to know me better, others will too, and those connections may come.
Oh my! This is going to be a delightful group activity! I enjoyed this first entry so much.
Look down upon hobbits at your loss — they are stronger than they appear.
I love this take on the power of loyalty and friendship!
1. I first read The Hobbit for class in seventh grade and fell in love. I can picture the black trade paperback with creepy Gollum peering over Bilbo's shoulder. (My own seventh grader is reading the same right now for school!) I tried the trilogy afterward but wasn't ready for it. I finally read it at age 24 in the year between college and grad school, and I was hooked just in time; the movies came out a year later. Lots of fun seeing them in the theater numerous times with obsessed friends!
2. I think the wisdom (heh) of this statement is in its nuance. Gandalf isn't pitting friendship against wisdom. Instead, he is offering friendship as a deeper, perhaps less cognitive and more gut-level type of wisdom. Choosing others is the way of Love. I don't think that can ever be bad advice, even if it leads to sorrow.
3. My husband and I just finished watching FotR last night. The struggle Boromir experiences once he sees the ring on Elrond's table is wrenching. I hate what he gives in to at the end, but it is also beautiful how--in movie and book--he repents so readily and acts in ultimate friendship toward Merry and Pippin. The ring is powerfully corrupting, yes, but there is a power for good also at work--again tied to friendship.
4. This is such an interesting question. I think it's important to remember that Tolkien created the relationships in the story according to the social strata of his day, and he placed Sam in the role of servant. We have to work through how we feel/think about that. But within the narrative, Frodo's willingness to sacrifice his home and life to destroy the ring, alongside his unwillingness--expressed several times--to draw Sam into the dangerous task, balances Sam's constant giving and doing on behalf of his "master." At least in my mind. :)
5. Grace, understanding. Permission to be our real selves, even when it doesn't look pretty. Permission to change. Loyalty over the years, but an ability to come and go as we need. No pressure to talk every day. A quietly present thereness.
Great questions, Tiffany!
Great answers!
I've never thought of Frodo taking advantage of Sam, I actually find it admirable that he is willing to be vulnerable enough to accept the help, to lean on him, etc. It's not easy for people, especially men, to do so..
I don't see their friendship as that way either. It just occurred to me that through modern lens and the emphasis on boundaries and looking out for ourselves, it might be perceived that way.