What Two Towers?

[McDLT]

Well, what would a Two Towers board be without this question.

~ What Two Towers was Tolkien talking about? ~

[Aeleorn]

I've heard on one of the extras of the dvd's that Tolkien himself wasn't sure how to call the second volume. His publisher proposed the name 'The Two Towers'. Tolkien immediatly liked that title, but he himself didn't know which two towers to choose. In the end I think he opted for Orthanc and the Dark Tower. I'm not sure, but I think it had something to do with Saruman's treachery, and Sauron's influence on ME.

What do you think?

[Greenleaf]

Aaagh! *Growls in frustration.* I once read something about that but for the life of me I can't remember where. I only remember it's a rather controversial issue. However, in the website, whose link was provided by Hilary in the Letters forum, it states that there's some answer to this question in the Letters #140, #143. Unfortunately I don't have this book. Could someone who has it take a look?

[Hilary]

... it states that there's some answer to this question in the Letters #140, #143. Unfortunately I don't have this book. Could someone who has it take a look?

Okay, Letter #140, from JRRT to Rayner Unwin (Aug. 17, 1953):

"The Two Towers gets as near as possible to finding a title to cover the widely divergent Books 3 and 4; and can be left ambiguous - it might refer to Isengard and Barad-dûr, or to Minas Tirith and B; or Isengard and Cirith Ungol..."

In the intervening months, Tolkien seems to have changed his mind. Letter #143, from JRRT to Rayner Unwin (Jan. 22, 1954):

"I am not at all happy about the title 'The Two Towers'. It must if there is any real reference in it to Vol II refer to Orthanc and the Tower of Cirith Ungol. But since there is so much made of the basic opposition of the Dark Tower and Minas Tirith, that seems very misleading. There is, of course, actually no connecting link between Books III and IV, when cut off and presented separately as a volume."

[Androga Erindalant]

I've seen this question before, and it is a hard one to answer, especially since Tolkien himself had his doubts on it. I don't know what he decided in the end. I guess this is something everyone should answer for him/herself, to make it acceptable.

I would think since it's the second book that's named this way, one of the towers should obviously be Isengard. Book III is all about the treachery of Saruman and his allience to Sauron. Because of that, I tend to link it with the Barad-dur, which is the main symbol of the Enemy's might.
In book IV Frodo and Sam arrive at Cirith Ungol, another dark tower, but I don't see an immediate link to Isengard then, except that action happends around both towers. So this vision I don't often use. Currently I'm trying to recall if both Hobbits have a first view on Barad-dur after Cirith Ungol, in TTT (I know they have that view in ROTK). If so, that would only enstrengthen my "vision 1".

I'm not likely to accept Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul as the Two Towers. They both play an important role at well, but the action around Minas Tirith is reserved for RotK. I mention these towers together as they both play an important role in the history of Gondor (the free and the conquered tower). Also, for the battle of Pelennor a great deal of the Mordor Orcs left from Minas Morgul.

[Stormrider]

How about Orthanc and Minas Morgul?

Saruman in Orthanc who is linking up with Sauron via the Palantír. Then the fight against him and the destruction of Orthanc.

Minas Morgul and Frodo and Sam's approach to it, travel through Shelob's Lair, and removal of Frodo's body to Cirith Ungol with Sam close behind?

Also troops are sent forth from both Orthanc (to Helm's Deep) and Minas Morgul (to Osgiliath then Minas Tirith).

Or it could be Minas Morgul and Cirith Ungol since they are in the same area.

Well...neither of these souhd like really convincing reasons to chose these as the Two Towers!

I guess I really feel this book should have been called something else entirely! Now what would we have called it? The Breaking of the Fellowship is a possibility. Let me think about this and I may come back with some other titles. Anyone else want to give it a shot, too?