Wk5 Bk5 Ch6: Bravery and Sacrifice

[Stormrider]

From: AnnieLT (Original Message) Sent: 4/17/2003 5:18 PM

The picture was lost--it was entitled "Wake of War" by Andrew Goldhawk

Wk5, Bk5, Ch6, DISCUSSION; Bravery and Sacrifice

In this chapter we see characters who demonstrate acts of boldness and daring against terrible odds. Theoden, as we have seen in the previous chapter pauses momentarily before he leads the charge against the Southrons. Eowyn, seeing her uncle and king fall, faces the Captain of the Nazgul, a monster that even the bravest of brave would tremble at. And Merry stands frozen on the battlefield trembling in fear before he, too, comes to Eowyn’s aid. These acts of bravery, though, come at great costs. How do these heroes pay for their risks? What does each sacrifice?

[Stormrider]

From: Merlin the mad Sent: 4/19/2003 6:49 PM
First of all, Merry was hardly "standing" on the field when the Ring-Wraith showed up: he was down groveling in the dirt in abject terror. Merry impresses me the most in this scene. And I am a definite Eowyn fan: but she was planning on dying in battle from the moment Aragorn took the Paths of the Dead. Merry only wanted to live. He gave up on the that to try (hopelessly) to save her. That is true love and admiration for you. Eowyn (other than perhaps Theoden and Gandalf) meant more to Merry outside the Shire than any other person he ever met.

MtM

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From: magpie Sent: 4/19/2003 9:17 PM
Merlin,

I hadn't thought about Merry's feelings for Eowyn in quite this light. I think you're right, though. Thanks for this insight.

~Magpie (MtM, I have to tell you that my initials are MMM and I was given the nickname in grade school by one chum, as Mad Man Miller... so I feel a bit of affinity towards your name -- Marilynn)