I deeply appreciated the first section on allegory. It brings even more understanding to why the trilogy isn’t one big allegory, but rather a series of symbols to which different meanings could be applied, instead of each having an assigned meaning. The concept of applicability should be the right way to approach the entire trilogy instead of laboriously picking out symbols and what they equate to. Seeing as Tolkien himself believed that an ‘allegory’ without definitive correlations was flawed, there should be no reason why people would persist in thinking against the author’s views.
The section regarding Saruman keft me a little baffled at first as Shippey once more takes us through word origins as he breaks words down to examine each part. At first, when he points out the association with metal, I immediately thought that was what Saruman’s name meant, as his thoughts and desires have become mechanized. But, apparently it means something like cunning as well. It’s interesting how both meanings apply to the character and could both stand as the correct interpretation.
Shippey nearly lost me when he states that Denethor is Saruman’s counterpart, then proceeds to write about how Denethor and Theoden are counterparts, not explaining his previous assertion until the very end saying how Saruman represents the Utopian technology gone wrong while Denethor stands for leaders with a death wish. He does this often- making some claim, going off on something else, then coming back to justify what he said earlier. It becomes rather confusing sometimes and makes for much re-reading.
Watching the walking song change and adapt to the singer’s situation and experiences was interesting. I never put much thought into the poetry found throughout the book. I always just thought it was something fun Tolkien put in to help the reader find some tradition peeking through the pages from all the different cultures. Now, though, it serves as a plot device of sorts to say where the character is going, has been, etc.
It was exciting to find a section on Tolkien and Shakespeare, as it’s relevant to the topic of my paper. Thank you, Shippey.
Devon Cozad? November 05, 2008, at 08:35 PM
