Wk2, Bk5, Ch2: Legolas & Gimli

[Stormrider]

From: AnnieLT (Original Message) Sent: 3/24/2003 11:06 PM

The picture was lost--it was a picture entitled "Legolas and Gimli" by John Howe

Bk. 5, Ch2, DISCUSSION: Legolas and Gimli

Gimli is concerned about Aragorn. Why must he travel the Paths of the Dead? He presses the Ranger for answers. Why do you think Gimli pursues this line of questioning? Are his questions valid? Legolas remains silent as the Dwarf raises objection after objection. Why do you think the Elf asks no questions of Aragorn? Compare Gimil’s relentless questioning and Legolas’ silence. What does this passage tell us of the personalities of Dwarf and Elf? What do they like and respect in the other? What do you make of this bond of friendship between them?

[Stormrider]

From: Pearlbloom_Greenleaf Sent: 3/26/2003 6:08 AM
My first thought: opposites attract. This is certainly true for Legolas and Gimli - if ever there were two opposites!

However, if two individuals are indeed each other's opposites and stubbornly stick to their own beliefs, probably nothing will happen between them (or only negative things). Both sides need to be willing and able to find a compromise, open their eyes to the world of the other person. This is what I think has happened with Legolas and Gimli; especially in Lothlorien they made much progress.

So somehow, they have found a common ground. But, for a relationship (between colleagues, lovers, or, in this case, friends) to work, and to last a long time, more than a common ground is needed. If two people are too much alike, the relationship may lack something: healthy dynamics. Legolas and Gimli manage to compromise, learn to respect and even love one another, and yet retain those vital, very personal differences which make a friendship, or any relationship, work and keep it healthy and interesting.

Pearl

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From: Alaere_Dûnhilien Sent: 4/3/2003 3:31 AM
I cannot shed the feeling that in their differences, they are also alike. I think, what Gimli feels in the Paths of the Dead for example, resembles the feeling Legolas had in Fangorn Forest, when he senses the anger that lives in the ancient trees.
They may have their 'cultural' differences, but in the end, what drives them, probably is not all that different. They have indeed very different backgrounds, and in that way, they are opposites; but is it not possible, that the underlying reasons for their passions and beliefs are in fact the same?

I don't exactly know how to express this, can't seem to find the exact right words to say what I actually mean. It is like with all the cultures and religions of our own world: they are very different, but in the ground, they are still the same. Got it: they share the same passions, but just express them very differently, according to what they have known and learnt in their lives. In genetic terms I could put it this way: the base or core is the same, but the environment in which they grew up, influences it. For example: you are born with brown hair (that is the genotype), and depending on the time and society you live in, you do different things with it: wear it short or long, braided, or with a ponytail, and more of these (that is called fenotype I believe: the eventual appearance).

Hmm, hope I have not been rambling too much lol!

Alaere

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From: Merlin the mad Sent: 4/3/2003 4:05 PM
The elves and dwarves have a LONG tradition of distrust between them. Tolkien was portraying a quintessential friendship between potential enemies: sort of like a Roman and a Hun being best friends. His purpose was perhaps to show that anything is possible when mutual respect for individuals is based on real qualities - honesty and integrity being the first. Both Legolas and Gimli are honest, no-nonsense characters. Legolas has far the greater span of years, yet he does not behave like an older being: just a more knowledgeable one (which he mostly keeps to himself unless asked or the situation requires it). Gimli, by far the most impetuous character in the story, is steadied by Legolas: and the Elf is renewed by the Dwarf: that is to say, the "embalming" approach of his race to preserving life as it IS is freshened by the dwarf's enthusiasm with living. So when Gimli asks Aragorn questions, Legolas is both more knowledgeable about Aragorn's destiny, and he also has something to learn from what the Dwarf is asking: in a way, I think Legolas is "out of his depth" in this area of the Paths of the Dead. He might learn more about human fears by keeping silent and listening to his two friends.

MtM