Post by Stormrider on Jan 16, 2009 21:00:37 GMT -6
Welcome Friend
Stormrider, Lady of Rohan and Lady Annie welcome all to their “RETURN OF THE KING” study commencing Monday, March 17, 2003 in the Great Hall of Fire where the hearth is ever-lit. Come, pull up a cushion, a pillow, a chair, a sofa, or armchair. Make yourselves comfortable. Hearken to the final telling of the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, being Book V and VI of the continuing saga of the War of the Ring. Let us Listen or read together as this epic comes to its exciting conclusion. And if you wish, bring your voices, your flutes and drums, and explore the haunting melodies and poetry found therein. Bring your canvas and colors and paint the images you feel when you read these Tales. And, of course, bring your favorite edition or audio cassette/CD of “RETURN OF THE KING”. LET US BEGIN...
Dear Fellow Readers:
First of all we wish to convey our delight that you have decided to join us as we embark on this exciting journey. The experience of creating our very first literary Study has been rich and rewarding. There is an old saying that to learn something well, one ought to teach it. Now, we are not teaching anything here, only facilitating. But the care and attention that we have given this study have opened our eyes to many new insights and have given us an even deeper understanding of this monumental work.
At the same time we are humbled as we realize that we still don't comprehend it all. The questions we will be raising in our discussions will say more of our desire for acquiring a deeper knowledge of Tolkien’s characters and the history of Middle Earth than to try to convince you that we have the answers. We don’t. There are no correct answers. The insights we acquire will be different for each of us based on our own personal experience of the reading. We are looking forward to sharing ours and hearing yours.
And it has been challenging, too! We both agree, though, that we have enjoyed collaborating and creating features to make this study appealing and pleasurable for us all. Together we will explore, discuss, and enjoy the final chapters in Tolkien's epic masterpiece.
Stormrider, Lady of Rohan and Lady Annie
SUMMARIES AND DISCUSSIONS
Each week’s Study lesson will be posted either late Sunday night or early Monday morning (Please refer to the ROTK Syllabus for dates, see below).
A Summary is a short synopsis of the Chapter along with personal reflections. These are non-interactive, meaning that you will not be posting responses. EX: Wk 1, Book 5, Ch1, SUMMARY: Minas Tirith
Several Discussion topics will be included with the lesson, each with its own thread. EX: WK 1, BK 5, CH 1, DISCUSSION: Beacons of Gondor. These will be interactive and you are invited to discuss any or all of the topics.
Some discussion questions will refer you to the appendices (found at the end of ROTK) to give you a richer understanding of the drama and history that is unfolding within a particular chapter. We encourage you to examine the selected segments for we feel they will enhance your reading experience of ROTK and give you an even better understanding of Gondor and Rohan; therefore, it is highly recommended that you read it along with the rest of the study.
Occasionally a topic thread will touch upon passages from the Silmarillion. We have included these to involve those familiar with this work, enticing them to share their insights as it pertains to that weeks chapter. If you have not read the Silmarillion, please, do not feel obligated to do so at this time. The discussion that arises from these topics will serve as an introduction and may inspire some of you to read it now or in the future.
You may, of course, open a new thread and add new topics. We would ask, though, that you not post until we have posted the summary and study threads for that week. Please read at your own pace. There is no need to "keep up". Our discussions are never closed, so feel free to read and add to them whenever you wish.
Merry and Pippin have a surprise for you! Gaze into their palantir and take a look at what they have in store...
“What we have in mind," say the hobbits, "is a new feature that we would like to add to the study. We are really enthusiastic about it and know you will be, too. We convinced the study leaders that our proposal would provide an element of enjoyment and add to your store of Tolkien knowledge. So, accompanying each chapter will be our weekly installment - a weekly Quiz! It will have its own thread in which all the quizzes will be posted. After reading the week’s lesson, you can pop over to our board, Merry and Pippin’s Fun Quiz and see for yourselves. Each Quiz will be designated by its Book, Chapter, and Title. ( i.e. Bk 5, Ch 1, Minas Tirith)
Another thread will be provided for your feedback: Comments to Fun Quizzes so, you can let us and the study leaders know what you think. We know, we know, not everyone will like this idea and that’s ok! The quizzes are totally optional. We offer these in the spirit of FUN! Hope to see you there."
And Yet another new feature!
As you read through the summaries and discussions, you will notice that the study leaders will be taking readers on an exciting pictoral journey. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those wonderful Tolkien sites out there that provided the art work for our Forum.
Stormrider, Lady of Rohan and Lady Annie welcome all to their “RETURN OF THE KING” study commencing Monday, March 17, 2003 in the Great Hall of Fire where the hearth is ever-lit. Come, pull up a cushion, a pillow, a chair, a sofa, or armchair. Make yourselves comfortable. Hearken to the final telling of the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, being Book V and VI of the continuing saga of the War of the Ring. Let us Listen or read together as this epic comes to its exciting conclusion. And if you wish, bring your voices, your flutes and drums, and explore the haunting melodies and poetry found therein. Bring your canvas and colors and paint the images you feel when you read these Tales. And, of course, bring your favorite edition or audio cassette/CD of “RETURN OF THE KING”. LET US BEGIN...
* * *
Dear Fellow Readers:
First of all we wish to convey our delight that you have decided to join us as we embark on this exciting journey. The experience of creating our very first literary Study has been rich and rewarding. There is an old saying that to learn something well, one ought to teach it. Now, we are not teaching anything here, only facilitating. But the care and attention that we have given this study have opened our eyes to many new insights and have given us an even deeper understanding of this monumental work.
At the same time we are humbled as we realize that we still don't comprehend it all. The questions we will be raising in our discussions will say more of our desire for acquiring a deeper knowledge of Tolkien’s characters and the history of Middle Earth than to try to convince you that we have the answers. We don’t. There are no correct answers. The insights we acquire will be different for each of us based on our own personal experience of the reading. We are looking forward to sharing ours and hearing yours.
And it has been challenging, too! We both agree, though, that we have enjoyed collaborating and creating features to make this study appealing and pleasurable for us all. Together we will explore, discuss, and enjoy the final chapters in Tolkien's epic masterpiece.
Stormrider, Lady of Rohan and Lady Annie
* * *
SUMMARIES AND DISCUSSIONS
Each week’s Study lesson will be posted either late Sunday night or early Monday morning (Please refer to the ROTK Syllabus for dates, see below).
A Summary is a short synopsis of the Chapter along with personal reflections. These are non-interactive, meaning that you will not be posting responses. EX: Wk 1, Book 5, Ch1, SUMMARY: Minas Tirith
Several Discussion topics will be included with the lesson, each with its own thread. EX: WK 1, BK 5, CH 1, DISCUSSION: Beacons of Gondor. These will be interactive and you are invited to discuss any or all of the topics.
Some discussion questions will refer you to the appendices (found at the end of ROTK) to give you a richer understanding of the drama and history that is unfolding within a particular chapter. We encourage you to examine the selected segments for we feel they will enhance your reading experience of ROTK and give you an even better understanding of Gondor and Rohan; therefore, it is highly recommended that you read it along with the rest of the study.
Occasionally a topic thread will touch upon passages from the Silmarillion. We have included these to involve those familiar with this work, enticing them to share their insights as it pertains to that weeks chapter. If you have not read the Silmarillion, please, do not feel obligated to do so at this time. The discussion that arises from these topics will serve as an introduction and may inspire some of you to read it now or in the future.
You may, of course, open a new thread and add new topics. We would ask, though, that you not post until we have posted the summary and study threads for that week. Please read at your own pace. There is no need to "keep up". Our discussions are never closed, so feel free to read and add to them whenever you wish.
* * *
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING NEW!
Merry and Pippin have a surprise for you! Gaze into their palantir and take a look at what they have in store...
“What we have in mind," say the hobbits, "is a new feature that we would like to add to the study. We are really enthusiastic about it and know you will be, too. We convinced the study leaders that our proposal would provide an element of enjoyment and add to your store of Tolkien knowledge. So, accompanying each chapter will be our weekly installment - a weekly Quiz! It will have its own thread in which all the quizzes will be posted. After reading the week’s lesson, you can pop over to our board, Merry and Pippin’s Fun Quiz and see for yourselves. Each Quiz will be designated by its Book, Chapter, and Title. ( i.e. Bk 5, Ch 1, Minas Tirith)
Another thread will be provided for your feedback: Comments to Fun Quizzes so, you can let us and the study leaders know what you think. We know, we know, not everyone will like this idea and that’s ok! The quizzes are totally optional. We offer these in the spirit of FUN! Hope to see you there."
* * *
And Yet another new feature!
As you read through the summaries and discussions, you will notice that the study leaders will be taking readers on an exciting pictoral journey. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those wonderful Tolkien sites out there that provided the art work for our Forum.