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View Full Version : Too much "atmosphere"!

Lizra
10-07-2003, 09:16 PM
I'm reading RoTK again, and have noticed something that bugged me before. The constant descriptions about the darkness and lack of sun, the brown dusk, oppressive sunless dawns, blah, blah, blah....Sauron has made it dark! OK! I GET IT!!! :eek: I just think that bit gets mentioned one too many times! (for me) ;)
While I'm at it, :rolleyes: Too much mention of Denethor's uncanny ability to "see all". I guess this is annoying once you've read the book, and know what's going on. Over and over, remarks of his far sightedness! Geez! :mad: Of course, I want to clonk Denethor many times as it is, yet I'd really like to clonk everyone who makes repeated remarks about his amazing knowledge and vision .....with the "you know what" round thing! ;)
I think I'll go back and start counting the times the "dark clouds of doom" get mentioned.I bet it's over 50! I know it's a dramatic element...but enough already! I'm sure the digital recoloring will highlight the atmospheric gloom and doom.....meh...I guess I'm just touchy tonight! :D
Sheeana
10-07-2003, 09:56 PM
Lizra, you evil woman! :mad: ;) Now I just KNOW that next time I'm reading ROTK, I'm going to be counting them! :rolleyes:
Lizra
10-08-2003, 07:46 AM
Great! :D I started at pg 66...if you could just get the ones prior to that ! Heh!
The Gaffer
10-08-2003, 11:51 AM
He he. Don't forget to include the portentous similes.

"like a dark hand stretching out to.." switch out the lights?? reach for another pack of Marlboros?? ask for some spare change??
Lizra
10-08-2003, 07:16 PM
Yes...he really packs them in there! I bet some atmosphere references slipped by me! :mad: Must recount! :eek: Must start in TTT!
Rosie Gamgee
10-09-2003, 01:24 PM
There does seem to be a lot of descriptions about how dark it is, but I think it perpetuates one's fear and depression- much like the characters in the book. It also gives one the impression that Minas Tirith, and Gondor for that matter, are usually very bright, sunny, merry places, and that this darkness is totally unusual. It keeps me thinking "Oh, great, they'll never get out of this one" until the end. I rather like it.
Earniel
10-09-2003, 02:07 PM
Originally posted by Sheeana
Lizra, you evil woman! :mad: ;) Now I just KNOW that next time I'm reading ROTK, I'm going to be counting them! :rolleyes:

:eek:

:eek:

Me too!

:eek:

Noooo!

*starts rocking back and forth whimpering*

:rolleyes:

Let's say I never noticed it before, the comments about the dark and gloomy settings I mean. I do remember noticing the several comments about Denethor's far-reaching eye. Once you know about his secret TV-addiction, it's rather obvious.
Valandil
10-09-2003, 02:17 PM
Tolkien's writing is just very heavy on the descriptions in general: of weather, terrain, people, food, etc. I think that's why some people have a hard time reading it - at least at first. But I think it's also why we who read him get so entirely engrossed. Once you settle into his pace of story-telling, and get wrapped up into his level of detail... maybe it makes us CARE more, or feel more like we could BE there. He invested heavily in the creating - and we have to start investing heavily in understanding the creation. I actually find it quite charming.
Bombadillo
10-09-2003, 09:37 PM
Yes, the repetition of the darkness sets the reader off a bit. It's really effective writing.
Elvengirl
10-09-2003, 10:04 PM
I agree with Valandil. But I used to think he put in too much description, I wanted him to get on with the story and back to the action. I didn't want to hear about the clouds when Frodo is ALMOST to Mt. Doom.

But now I appreciate it and how much he put into the creation of this story. He really involves the reader into the universe he created.
Lizra
10-10-2003, 08:01 AM
Originally posted by Bombadillo
Yes, the repetition of the darkness sets the reader off a bit. It's really effective writing.

By "sets the reader off" do you mean annoy? ;) Worked on me! I guess I need to eat breakfast before I read! :D
I like the way he would mention one character seeing the gleam of the setting sun (or some such thing) while another was also noting it somewhere else, in another chapter. That little tie in helped, and the occasional thought one hobbit would have for another, far away. Still, *** (still counting) versions of "Sauron made it dark" fanned my flames! :o
Gamigar
10-13-2003, 05:35 PM
You people are evil:mad: how dare you bring such unholy opinions onto this sacred message board. There are no flaws in Mr. Tolkiens writing.:mad: :mad: :mad:
Lizra
10-13-2003, 05:36 PM
Oh my! :eek: :D
Bombadillo
10-13-2003, 05:37 PM
Originally posted by Gamigar
You people are evil:mad: how dare you bring such unholy opinions onto this sacred message board. There are no flaws in Mr. Tolkiens writing.:mad: :mad: :mad: Not me, not me! I remained faithful to the fantasy god!
Gamigar
10-13-2003, 07:28 PM
thank you, i must have overlooked you. when i rule the world for 500 years i will be sure to spare you from my punishment.
Lizra
10-13-2003, 08:09 PM
Call me evil then! :rolleyes:
Earniel
10-14-2003, 06:14 AM
Originally posted by Gamigar
You people are evil:mad: how dare you bring such unholy opinions onto this sacred message board. There are no flaws in Mr. Tolkiens writing.:mad: :mad: :mad:

Now, now Gamigar. Tolkien's writing may be unparalelled yet (and the greatest and most inspiring fantasy work by one man that I have ever seen) but that doesn't mean there can't be parts that I or any one else may have wished to be different. 't is a matter of opinion. :)


- Evil Eärniel ;)
Gamigar
10-14-2003, 07:37 PM
Then change your opinion!
Earniel
10-15-2003, 07:18 AM
Make me. :p
Black Breathalizer
10-15-2003, 11:51 AM
After the shocking blasphemy of this thread, I think it's safe to say that Lizra has replaced me as Public Enemy # 1 for all true-blue Tolkien Purists. :)
Lizra
10-15-2003, 03:30 PM
Be quiet BB! I'm busy counting!

Denethor's motto....."I knew that!" :rolleyes:
Earniel
10-15-2003, 05:49 PM
Originally posted by Black Breathalizer
After the shocking blasphemy of this thread, I think it's safe to say that Lizra has replaced me as Public Enemy # 1 for all true-blue Tolkien Purists. :)

Hardly.

Nice try but no cigar, BB. You ain't getting off that lightly. :p



So Lizra, how much is the count already?
Sheeana
10-15-2003, 08:12 PM
LOL@ Lizra. :D

BB, how on earth did you manage to stumble into the book forum? Contamination! :eek: :p
Wayfarer
10-15-2003, 09:22 PM
Too much atmosphere is better than suffocation. ];-)
Lizra
10-15-2003, 09:28 PM
Originally posted by Eärniel




So Lizra, how much is the count already?

I got overly excited when Pippen went running for Gandalf after leaving Denethor at Silent Street. I forgot to count after that, so much cool stuff was happening! Maybe tomorrow, at karate, (if I can quit watching the black belts ;) ) I'll try another count. :mad:
Gamigar
10-16-2003, 02:48 PM
Originally posted by Eärniel
Make me. :p

FINE, I WILL!!!:D
LutraMage
10-16-2003, 05:02 PM
Em, I've read LoTR in excess of 30 times and never once noticed overt repetition. Am I really that unobservant, or is it just that if you let yourself go with the flow of the work you don't find the repetition irritating? :) ;)
GrayMouser
10-19-2003, 02:14 AM
Repetitions...

Too many "Beholds!" in Book Five, especially the end of Chapter Two when Aragorn unfurls his banner at the Stone of Erech.

"And with that he bade Halbarad unfurl the great standard which he had brought and behold it was black, and if there was any device on it, it was hidden in the darkness."

If it's too dark to see, why are you telling us to behold???