Reflecting on the liberal vision as reflected in fantasy literature, I discovered that Tolkien records many types of vision in LOTR. There are dreams, vague but accurate for Frodo, specific and revelatory to Boromir. The pool of Galadriel shows possible things, the Palantir only true ones, though it can mislead. There is the searching eye of Sauron, which many can sense and occasionally see; plus creatures from other realms, such as Nazgul - the ability to perceive these is heightened by the ring, but Glorfindel seems to do so unaided. There is the waking memory of the elves; Sam's vision of himself as gardener of the world when he takes the ring; Faramir's apprehension of Boromir, a true sight which seems like a vision to him; sights and sounds in the barrow, candles in the Dead Marshes, and the intuitions of many. Quite a thorough list for one book.
This in turn reminded me of an earlier post of mine, including the widely different experiences of extended life in Tolkien: elves, wizards, Gollum, ents, Bombadil, dwarves, and various monsters all have long lifespans, but their experiences are quite distinct. Another thorough list by Tolkien.
Ilya Somin at Volokh Conspiracy has a post of how LOTR is really about property law, and the various means of acquisition.
I. Acquisition By Creation
II. Acquisition By Conquest
III.Acquisition By Find
IV. Acquisition By Adverse Possession
V. Acquisition By Agreement
VI. Acquisition By Gift
VII.Temporary Acquisition By Necessity
VIIIAttempted Re-acquisition By Self-Help
Somin links to a similar article by Canadian Jacob Kaufman.
Where does it end? Tolkien's characters experience not only a wide range of temptations - power, honor, escape from duty, simpler life, beauty, wealth - but many methods of temptation. There are varieties of government and varieties of evil, all in fairly thorough detail
2 comments:
These posts on LOTR are great! All of us are LOTR obsessed (especially. the youngest). Endless dinner arguments and debates about characters, which end with somebody leaving to cue up the movie or open the book to point to the deciding evidence for their theory
You may also find the probably out of print "Rosinante" series (SF) by Alexis Gilliland of interest.
"Governments get money the same way that individuals do... Primary Production, Secondary Production, Forced Redistribution, and Voluntary Redistribution - make, trade, steal, and beg. There are no other ways.
The difference is that Governments are inefficient at making, trading and begging(except from other governments), so they have to steal."
- Alexis A. Gilliland -
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