death
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Stargazing in Middle-earth
When Faramir explains the downfall of the Kings of Gondor to Frodo, he says something interesting about stars: Kings made tombs more splendid than houses of the living, and counted old names in the rolls of their descent dearer than the names of sons. Childless lords sat in aged halls musing on heraldry; in secret… Continue reading
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Ashes in The Lord of the Rings
For Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, I had the idea to share some thoughts on the references to “ashes” in The Lord of the Rings. Ashes are referred to about twenty times in The Lord of the Rings. Two of those references are the line from “The Riddle of Strider”: “from the ashes… Continue reading
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Prancing Pony Ponderings
I’ve finally finished the latest episode of the Prancing Pony Podcast and like clockwork there are new insights I’ve never thought about or noticed before. If you haven’t already listened, go listen! In addition to the wonderful commentary of Dr. Sara Brown and Alan Sisto, a few other thoughts occurred to me. What is the… Continue reading
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Prancing Pony Ponderings
On Episode 291 of The Prancing Pony Podcast (of which I am a big fan and Patreon supporter), Alan Sisto and KnewBettaDoBetta discuss a mailbag question on the difference between Denethor’s suicide and Aragorn’s choice to lay down his life and kingship. I recommend their whole discussion to you at the episode link above, but… Continue reading
About Me
Thinking and writing about Tolkien’s life and works.