The sequence of chapters taking place in the forest of Lothlorien is among my favorites in the entirety of The Lord of the Rings. It offers a respite from the high-stakes drama that immediately preceded in the mines of Moria and the plot-turning betrayal at Amon Hen that breaks the Fellowship and sends them off on their own directions and quests. Lothlorien is the calm before the storm, and as we saw in class each chapter contains highly relevant moments and events that shape the rest of the story.
Lothlorien is also a demonstration of Tolkien's masterful artfulness. The forest is unique and filled with lore. The trees are lined with silver bark and adorned with golden leaves while music runs through the air reminding travelers of elven tales long past. Tolkien allows his reader to escape the darkness of the mines and rest along with his reader. That is perhaps why these chapters are so enjoyable. They accomplish their purpose both for the fictional characters within the story and also those in the real world glancing at this strange world through words on a page.
Additionally, these Lothlorien chapters introduce the reader to Galadriel, one of the most perplexing characters in all of Tolkien's writings. I feel as though the movie adaptations of this elven queen did not do her as much service as she required. She was portrayed as deeply enigmatic and frankly a little odd. While the viewer grew to trust and appreciate her, the sequence where Frodo offers her the Ring after looking into the Mirror is a little unsettling, though not altogether inaccurate.
Reading these chapters gives the reader a better look into who Galadriel is and why she is relevant. Her testing of each of the members of the Fellowship foreshadows her own trial and also the events to come involving Boromir. She tested each with their great desire apart from the Quest, and it does seem that she sees the loyalties of each--with the possible exception of Boromir. She lavishes all the company with gifts and supplies, uncharacteristic of the Lorien elves to do, and she herself sees them off with much encouragement and hope.
Finally, Galadriel recognizes that the destruction of the Ring would result in the end of her people's way of life. However, she does not resist or protest the Quest but accepts her fate doing what she can to help the Fellowship be successful. Galadriel is imperfect, as we discussed in class, but in her, we see a character who is willing to forsake her temptatious desires and play whatever part she could for the good of a world she would not be a part of.
Lothlorien and Galadriel represent what is noble in Middle-Earth. It is difficult, it seems, for the Fellowship and the reader to leave those fair woods never to return in the course of the story. Nevertheless, they represent some of that which the Fellowship fights for. Of course, with the destruction of the Ring, Lothlorien and its inhabitants would "diminish" but the traits those fair woods represent continue on as a reminder of that which is good and worth facing great challenges for.
Galadriel has always been a very interesting yet mysterious character to me and I've had trouble fully understanding her. But after our discussion about her in class and this post as well, it's easier to grasp her as a character since she is imperfect and almost acts as a representation of the ancient, noble Elves of the Elder Days.
ReplyDeleteThese chapters that take place in Lothlorien are one of my favorite parts of the Fellowship but they're always bittersweet since the Elves so strongly believe and stay true to their fate. You can sense that melancholy feeling from the members of the Fellowship who recognize that the beautiful land and people of Lothlorien will come to pass away in time and memory. It really is, as you said, an example of Tolkien's stellar writing.