LOTR Read-Along: The Two Towers: The Road to Isengard

So by this point in the films, The Two Towers ended after the victory of Helm's Deep and The Return of the King starts with this chapter. It just amazes me how fast this story has gone! What I do enjoy about The Two Towers is that it focuses on relationships and the importance of having that companion, comrade, brothers-in-arms, in your life. Whether in war or peace. 

LOTR Blog Party Day Five - Free Day

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     This is an all out fandom day where you can make graphics or a video, but I'm not able to do any of that right now (internet), so hopefully this Lindsey Stirling music video of her performing The Lord of The Rings medley might make up for it.

LOTR Blog Party Day Four - Favorite Character

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Hugo Weaving as Elrond

     Not having read the books, but have seen the movies numerous times, my favorite character (and I do have quite a few!) is Elrond. He was just the quintessential just and wise ruler; to put it simply, Elrond is to LOTR what King Edmund the Just is to The Chronicles of Narnia (after he was redeemed by Aslan, of course). When I read about him in "The Hobbit" I just got the picture of good and honorable leader who is desperate to change the world, but knows it's not his place to do so. Also, Elrond was the only elf who ever showed kindness to Thorin and his company of dwarves and was only elf that Thorin had any admiration for.

Hugo Weaving as Elrond and Liv Tyler as Arwen

    Like a said in the Favorite Movie/Book post, one of the reasons I loved The Two Towers was because of how it went into the the deep relationship between Elrond and Arwen. Elrond himself has been a victim of the fandom 'bad dad hate' (other fathers including John Winchester from Supernatural and Odin Allfather from the Thor). What I would like to know, is what is so undeniably evil about a father wanting to protect his daughter from absolute and certain death? Elrond (and this is from a movie-verse perspective) never disapproved of Aragorn (he did raise him), but like any good father, he wants to ensure his daughter's safety and happiness and that can only come about if Aragorn finally takes up his birthright and become a king and leader.

     All someone has to do to disprove the 'bad dad' arguments is watch the ending of Return of The King and be completely overwhelmed by Elrond's reaction of his daughter who is alive and beautiful and returning to the man she loves.

LOTR Blog Party Day Three - Favorite Dwelling of Middle Earth

 

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Hobbiton, The Shire

     My favorite Middle Earth dwelling is definitely Hobbiton! I'm am country girl through and through, and Hobbiton, the Shire and Bag-End would definitely be dream home. I just loved the peaceful, tranquility that Hobbiton had and even though it was small and out of the way, it was the primary reason that caused Frodo to carry the Ring in the first place. When I saw LOTR for the first time, I just fell in love with the Shire and its immense beauty. The color is what astounded me the most; the incredible green contrasting with the bright colors of the flowers and the very clear water under the bridge.

Hobbiton

      I love how Tolkien was able to incorporate his love of the English countryside into the books; even though LOTR and The Hobbit took place in a mythical world, Tolkien was able to bring to the readers mind a piece of his life that was very dear to him and share it with the world. I could very easily live in Hobbiton, the food alone would be good enough! In the movies, Peter Jackson brought to life a society, a community and a culture that seemed so authentic and real that you forget it's the land of hobbits and start believing that it could be your own home.

Bag End

      And now we get to Bag End! I LOVE Bag End! It would definitely be my dream home. My roomed is actually inspired by Bag End. I have paintings all over the walls, one bookshelf overflowing with books (the other with DVDs), candles everywhere on my dressers and shelves, and my own desk that's always covered with papers, as well as little nick-knacks that are just scattered though-out the room. I can definitely understand why Bilbo was so desperate to return home and why he was incensed that he saw everything being sold off when he returned.

 

LOTR Blog Party Day Two - Favorite Book/Movie

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     My favorite movie, without a doubt, was The Two Towers. I think that's when the story line really came into play and where several other story arcs were introduced. Even though there were so many plots running simultaneously, Peter Jackson did a great job at having every story running smoothly together. One aspect of the film that I did pick up on was the importance of family, whether elf, human or hobbit; the blood ties that hold us together, the loyalty the can never be broken and the unquestionable grief that comes from loss.

Hugo Weaving as Elrond and Liv Tyler as Arwen

     The main reason I loved The Two Towers was (and this is from movie-verse prospective) was the in depth look at Elrond and Arwen's relationship. I think that their father/daughter bond was completely pinnacle to the story, a father who loves his daughter and wants to keep her safe and an obedient daughter who loves her father dearly and is torn between the decisions of her heart.

     Having the relationship triangle between father, daughter and lover (Aragorn) whose fates are all wrapped up in the war of The Ring was an interesting and unique twist in the storyline and shows that not all battles are on the battlefield, sometimes they're right there at home. Also, the scenes between Arwen and her father gave the movie a break from the blood and the gore, and viewers were also able to see the very personal intimate lives of the elves and how they love deeply, but also fear that their love could be their own destruction.

David Wenham as Faramir

      Sticking to the topic of family, we are introduced to a family member from a former character in The Fellowship of The Ring. Lord Faramir, Boromir's younger brother, who is a forest ranger that protects the outerlands from invaders. Faramir is about as opposite from Boromir as one can get, but both brothers shared a tight bond. If Boromir was his father's pride and joy, then Faramir was the bane of his existence. For most of the story, Faramir is desperate to win his father's love and approval, but always falls up short in the shadow of his worthier older brother.

     When we first meet Faramir he comes off as bold and rash, with a hint of arrogance. Although he isn't cruel there is a coldness inside of him that comes from the private grieving of his brother's death. Movie-verse Faramir deters from book-verse in which the book portrays Faramir of having no desire for the Ring, the movie instead shows his desire for Ring, not for power, but for love and approval. Overtime, Sam and Frodo (and Gollum) begin to work an unlikely change in his heart and Faramir slowly begins to emerge from his grief, anger and guilt, and starts becoming the leader he was meant to become.

Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn and Orlando Bloom as Legolas

      My absolute favorite part about The Two Towers was going deeper in Legolas' and Aragorn's strong friendship. When Aragorn is presumed to be dead, we see Legolas in a rare moment of rage when he threatens the orc that threw him over the cliff. When Aragorn plans to defend Helm's Deep, Legolas is less then thrilled and even challenges Aragorn's authority only to finally see reason and to trust in his plan. Both characters are as different as night and day, but the opposites of their personalities is what makes them such a great friendship.

LOTR Blog Party Day One - Tag

1.) How were you introduced to Tolkien? Through my older siblings. I had never heard of Tolkien until promotion for the LOTR movies came out.

2.) Did you read the books before the movies or after? I haven't read LOTR, but I have read "The Hobbit" and I absolutely loved it!

3.) Do you like Tolkien's style of writing? Tolkien writes in a style that may seem strange to modern day audiences. He's very (almost over the top) descriptive of his stories, but doing that does allow the reader to really engage in this mythical world. Also, he does a very good job at getting in the minds and psyche of the characters.

4.) Do you like the film adaption? Yes! I loved the films very much! When I do read the books, it'll be interesting to see the film characters playing in my mind.

5.) What is one thing from the books that you wish Peter Jackson had included in the films? Like I said, I haven't read the books, but according to my sister, Tolkien did go into more detail about the elves. I would have liked to see more.

6.) What is one thing from the books that you are glad Peter Jackson cut/changed? Faramir's character. I think Peter Jackson made him much more realistic and relatable.

7.) What character do you think has the most strength and courage? That's not a fair question!! No, in all honesty, LOTR is filled with strong and courageous characters who all have their own battles to fight. So I would have to say either Frodo or Elrond.

8.) Which character do you think you are most like? Pippin. I always feel that I'm always making mistakes and can never measure up to other people, but given a chance, I think I can become my own person.

9.) Which is your favorite friendship? That's difficult...probably Legolas and Aragorn (I still love you Gimili!!) I love their friendship because of how Legolas sees Aragorn's worth as a king long before anyone else does and pushes him to understand that worth. And Aragorn considers Legolas to be his wisest counselor and never goes headlong into anything without first consulting his advice.

10.) Which is your favorite pairing? Faramir and Eowyn! They were both so alone in their lives and in the world and when they met, everything just came together for the two of them.

11.)Which Middle -earth villain terrified you the most? The Balrog!! Nightmares are made from that!

12.) What is your favorite quote from the books? I'm surprised I made it through the tag this long without depending on the books.

13.) What is your favorite quote from the movie? 

From the ashes a fire shall be woken
A light from the shadow shall spring
Renewed shall be blade that was broken
The Crownless again shall be king.

(Can that count as book and movie quote??)

14.) Given the choice would you spend the day with a hobbit or with an elf? Hobbit! Especially if food is involved.

15.) Mirkwood or Moria? Mirkwood.

16.) What is your favorite Middle Earth dress/style? The hobbit costumes were my favorite. They had a very traditional-country look, but were still elegant.

The lavender dress (end right) is my favorite!

17.) Red, brown, small and round! What did you just think of? A doughnut.

18.) Rivendell or Lothlorien? Rivendell! There such a sense of peace and tranquility and of course Elrond's library.

19.) Would you rather visit Rohan or Gondor? Rohan. The horses and countryside are just perfect.

20.) What is something about Middle Earth that completely astounds you? Everyone's perfect hair.

Lord of The Rings Blog Party

     Bella Delallo at To Say Nothing of Reality is hosting her LOTR Blog Party that starts tomorrow and goes on for the whole week.

RULES!

LINK BACK TO BELLAS BLOG!

Day One: Tag!! Anyone and everyone participating Must do the tag. No exceptions.

Day Two: You will pick your favorite movie (or book. or both.) and explain why it is your favorite.

Day Three: FREE DAY!!!!!! You will pick a favorite dwelling from Middle Earth and talk about it. (you don't have to do too much. Just say why it is your favorite. Why you would want to live there or why you THINK you would be there.)

Day Four: Pick a favorite character and talk about him. (if you can't pick just ONE you are allowed to do more. Go crazy. Be my guest.)

Day Five: This is a free day on which you can do whatever you want to long as it relates to Tolkien. Go wild!!!! Draw some fan art! Do some coloring or writing (poooooems!)!!! Make a Video or Cosplay! Get creative here! (If none of the suggestions above move and grove you, do something else creative and fun. This is the Final Day. Make it epic!)