Something Worth Fighting For

Blog Fantasy

Post 12 - The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien

Comparison of The Fellowship of the Ring (Book) to the The Fellowship of the Ring (Movie):

In the book titled, The Fellowship of the Ring, by JRR Tolkien, the protagonists are dragged into a world at war that none knew existed. Gandalf, the wise wizard, simply gave Frodo, the protagonist, the burden of carrying the ring. Henceforth, Frodo was given the title of ‘ring bearer’. The movie titled, The Fellowship of the Ring, directed by Peter Jackson, similarly, provides the sense of surprise/shock as Frodo is told about the war in the distant lands.

Comparison of The Fellowship of the Ring to the The Hobbit:

The Fellowship of the Ring and The Hobbit, (both by Tolkien) differ on the idea of the protagonists’ reason for entering peril. Bilbo, the protagonist in The Hobbit, comes face to face with Smaug, a grand and powerful dragon to gain wealth and treasure; Frodo, the protagonist in The Fellowship of the Ring, on the other hand, has to face Sauron to stop evil from conquering the world. These two reasons have a stark difference in the fact that one involves helping oneself and the other involves helping others.

Why is one drawn to Fantasy Worlds? What properties or qualities do these worlds posses that make them so captivating to one?

Perhaps, one of the properties that Fantasy Worlds posses that make them so appealing is: there is something worth fighting for. In The Fellowship of the Ring, by JRR Tolkien, Frodo has a reason to fight. This reason is: to save the world. People are captivated by this idea of having something worth fighting for because it gives them hope and strength to endure through hard times in their life and goal.

A Fantasy World that has something worth fighting for therefore is a truly captivating world.

(Sorry for late post, if you need a reason I'll be glad to tell you in class.)

Dreams Fulfilled

Blog Fantasy
Post 11 - The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien

Comparison of The Fellowship of the Ring (Book) to the The Fellowship of the Ring (Movie):

In the book titled, The Fellowship of the Ring, by JRR Tolkien, the author gives a vast description of how the evil Sauron rises again. As apart of the descriptions Tolkien says, “The Dark Tower had been rebuilt, it was said. From there the power was spreading far and wide, and away far east and south there were wars and growing fear. Orcs were multiplying again in the mountains. Trolls were abroad, no longer dull-witted, but cunning and armed with dreadful weapons. And there were murmured hints of creatures more terrible than all these, but they had no name” (43) to be quite specific. The movie titled, The Fellowship of the Ring, directed by Peter Jackson, on the other hand, provides less description of how Sauron rose. This fact was just plainly stated rather than elaborated as in the book.

Comparison of The Fellowship of the Ring to the The Hobbit:

In both The Fellowship of the Ring as well as The Hobbit, (both by Tolkien) the protagonists face a great danger. Bilbo, the protagonist in The Hobbit, comes face to face with Smaug, a grand and powerful dragon; and Frodo, the protagonist in The Fellowship of the Ring, has to face a similar challenge. In The Fellowship of the Ring, after Gandalf describes his challenge to Frodo, the atmosphere becomes ominous. Tolkien describes the scene as he writes, “A heavy silence fell in the room. Frodo could hear his heart beating. Even outside everything seemed still” (The Fellowship of the Ring, 57). Therefore in both books, the protagonists face a truly fearful challenge.

Why is one drawn to Fantasy Worlds? What properties or qualities do these worlds posses that make them so captivating to one?

Perhaps, one of the properties that Fantasy Worlds posses that make them so appealing is: they’re characters fulfill dreams. In The Fellowship of the Ring, by JRR Tolkien, Sam, a small town gardener, always dreamed about meeting elves. His ecitement to go on this journey to see elves is shown as he says, “Me go and see Elves and all! Hooray!’ he shouted, and then burst into tears” (The Fellowship of the Ring, 63). This is an attractive quality because its allows the reader to experience the joy of the characters as they fulfill their life long goals. In a way, this idea is similar to living vicariously through the book’s characters (which is a topic on a previous post).

A Fantasy World that has people, who fulfill their dreams, therefore is a truly captivating world.

A Sense of Defying Common Sense II

Blog Fantasy

Post 10 - The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien


Comparison of The Fellowship of the Ring (Book) to the The Fellowship of the Ring (Movie):

“In the book titled, The Fellowship of the Ring, by JRR Tolkien, the author gives a large introduction (about 80 pages) about the prelude of the story. This introduction includes much of the events that occurred in The Hobbit, also by JRR Tolkien. The movie titled, The Fellowship of the Ring, directed by Peter Jackson, on the other hand, provides less history and leaves much of it out – perhaps because much of it is not important.” (Post 9)
Besides the events in the Hobbit, the introduction also speaks of the events that happened to Smeagle, a character in the series, who is corrupted by the ring. The movie, on the other hand, shows nothing of these events. This leaving out of the scene may be a result of a time constrain.

Comparison of The Fellowship of the Ring to the The Hobbit:

“In both The Fellowship of the Ring as well as The Hobbit, the protagonists are similar. Bilbo, the protagonist in The Hobbit, and Frodo, the protagonist in The Fellowship of the Ring, both for one are Hobbits, “humanoid creatures smaller than Dwarves yet nimbler than Men” (The Fellowship of the Ring; Tolkien 16). Both protagonists are fond of a simple living yet yern for adventure away from the countryside.”
Both characters are also alike in the fact that they are both quite young for their kind at the time they go out for their ‘big adventure’. Both Frodo and his uncle were just beyond their “Tween” ages. This is the equivalent to twenty to thirty human years. It may seem absurd but to think of these ages to be immature, but to the Hobbits it really is.

Why is one drawn to Fantasy Worlds? What properties or qualities do these worlds posses that make them so captivating to one?

“Perhaps, one of the properties that Fantasy Worlds posses that make them so appealing is: they posses a sense of defying common sense. In The Fellowship of the Ring, by JRR Tolkien, Gaffer a small town farmer protests againsts ‘adventures’ as he says:

“Elves and Dragons! I says to him. Cabbages and potatoes are better for me and you. Don't go getting mixed up in the business of your betters, or you'll land in trouble to big for you, I says to him. And I might say it to others.” (24)

This statement reflects the notion: one is better off sticking with reality rather than chasing fantasy dreams. It is logical to avoid danger when possible. It is common sense to stay away from danger, yet Frodo (along with a few other Hobbits) still decide to run off into an adventure; one in which will change them forever. This quality is so captivating because it allows one to vicariously experience recklessness without having to risk anything (as opposed to risking his/her own life, like how Frodo did).”
Also defying common sense, Sam runs off with Frodo in search of his quest: to see elves. The hobbit community has thought of this as “Sam’s illusive dreams”, but regard less of hat other people say, Sam still seeks is goals. Sam defies common sense by knowingly heading into a world in war, as the elves, humans, and dwarves are all combating a rising evil, Sauron. Sauron is the first owner of the ring, but this is the subject for a different post (perhaps the next). =)

A Fantasy World that allows one to defy common sense therefore is a truly captivating world.