The Fellowship are led through Lothlórien blindfolded, and yes, Legolas is still complaining. Deprived of his sight, Frodo’s heightened senses take in the sounds, the smells, and the feel of the world around him; and we bask in the beauty of Tolkien’s prose all the way to Cerin Amroth — the heart of elvendom on earth — where the blindfolds are finally removed. We ease up on our criticism of Haldir (once he finally does the right thing), contemplate Galadriel’s punk phase, and offer up word-nerdery on the Elvish name of Sam’s (and Alan’s) favorite flower.
Recommended Reading:
Tolkien, J. R. R. The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings (Mariner Books, paperback) pp. 339-43, “Lothlórien”
Tolkien, J. R. R. Tree and Leaf: Including “Mythopoeia” (HarperCollins, paperback)
Carpenter, Humphrey, ed. The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien (Mariner Books, paperback)
A little follow-up on Sam’s treatment of Gollum: his attitude is really no different than that Frodo expresses to Gandalf *before* assuming the burden of the Ring. And we should remember that Gollum is not just pitiful, but has done terrible things – you wouldn’t want him as babysitter for a newborn. I think Sam’s harshness is in fact more childlike than childish, reflecting the dark side of innocence. Tolkien after all quoted Chesterton saying of children that they are: “innocent and love justice, while most of us are wicked and naturally prefer mercy”. And for Frodo and Sam the ability to feel compassion for Gollum is bought with suffering.
“The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen” should be a dictionary link under “bittersweet”. It’s so beautiful and haunting, and sums up the sadness and hope of being human.
That’s a good point about Frodo’s attitude towards Gollum in The Shadow of the Past being comparable to Sam’s attitude towards Gollum throughout.
And most assuredly, The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen is both heart-warming and heart-rending at the same time.
I was listening to your comments about Haldir’s racist attitude toward Gimli. I think I will disagree with you on that fact. The definition of racism is: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.
While Gimli is a member of possibly a minority, I think that Haldir’s attitude toward Gimli is also due to the relationship between Elves and Dwarfs over the vast number of years. At some point in time they were on a friendly basis ( note the inscription over the doors of Moria,) but after the death (murder) of Thingol, the seizure of the Nauglamír and the destruction of Nargothrond, I can understand why there is animosity between the two races. The elves suffered a betrayal and have very long memories. So while perhaps their mistrust should be set aside, I can understand why it is not.
I think Haldir was just following orders, made easy for him because he holds this general animosity toward all dwarfs.
Your thoughts as always are appreciated.
Also, is there anything else to know about Haldir? Is there any back story to him.
Your viewpoint is appreciated, Sharon – as always! Even with that definition, I’d still stick by the idea that Haldir is expressing some distinct racist behavior towards Gimli: his prejudice, distrust, and even treating him like less than a person (not addressing him directly, etc.) all stems from the fact that Gimli is a dwarf. Very clearly, it’s his membership in that racial group that is the reason for Haldir’s behavior.
That there is an actual historical cause for the animosity between Elves and Dwarves is clear. But there is not *currently* a reason for animosity between Elves and Dwarves; in fact, the opposite is true, and Haldir acknowledges it himself!
But yes, we agree that he was just following orders and that, unlike Éomer and Faramir, who were also under orders to treat ‘visitors’ in a particular way, Haldir lacked the authority to make any other decision.
And no, there’s no backstory to him at all, I’m afraid — sorry!
Wow, thanks for that quick reply. I still have an issue with the word “racism.” I just feel that the term is such an elevated term of hatred for no reason and that the term is more of a current term for current times. I think the word prejudice is a better fit.
Definition of prejudice (Entry 1 of 2)
1 : injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in disregard of one’s rights
especially : detriment to one’s legal rights or claims
2a(1) : preconceived judgment or opinion
(2) : an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge
b : an instance of such judgment or opinion
c : an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics
I think you can be prejudiced against something, but not be a racist. Perhaps it’s just the word I don’t think fits Middle Earth. Yes, I agree Haldir ignores and is extremely rude toward Gimli, and I do agree he is prejudiced against him and dwarfs, and thanks! I always enjoy hearing what you have to say.
And thanks for the info on Haldir, I couldn’t find anything either.
I totally get the reaction to ‘racism’ as we use the term in its current context, but look at the definition of racism your provided (and with which I agree): ” prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.” You just said the better term is prejudice — but clearly, Haldir’s prejudice is based on Gimli being a dwarf, not just an outsider like the hobbits or Boromir. Don’t get me wrong: I *understand* the reasons, but it’s still race-based discrimination — the application of a blindfold to Gimli, and not to the others stands as clear proof. But yes, I completely understand the desire not to apply that ugly word to actions of otherwise-wise people like Haldir. It just goes to show that we can all suffer from blind spots. 🙂
With Elanor, the “golden flower” (as Frodo eventually names it), the influence of Milton’s Comus (pointed out by Shippey) seems clear:
Amongst the rest a small unsightly root,
But of divine effect, he culled me out.
The leaf was darkish, and had prickles on it,
But in another country, as he said,
Bore a bright golden flower, but not in this soil:
–Comus 629-633
Searching around I came across another incredibly evocative passage:
He that has light within his own clear breast
May sit i’ the centre, and enjoy bright day:
But he that hides a dark soul and foul thoughts
Benighted walks under the mid-day sun;
Himself is his own dungeon.
— Comus 381-5
“They could walk, if they would, unseen by all eyes in this world beneath the sun”
-Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age