Lord of the Rings - Good vs. Evil

• What does the work tell us about right and wrong? Or the nature of good and evil? 

The entire The Lord of The Rings Trilogy is based upon the conflict between good and evil and how these motives are created around the creation of a single ring. J.R.R. Tolkien places two very different forms of evil which pit against the struggling form of good. The two forms of evil are motivated by two different objectives and are personified in their own unique ways. The armies of Saruman the White are led by forces of Urukai, a greater force of Orcs, which are bred for one purpose, to simply gain power. Urukai are bred as skilled fighters and are organized but, with their ignorance to the world around them and their willingness to take commands to slowly gain leverage against the rival armies. Sauron's army are bred to spread chaos and to simply destroy everything in their path, while in pursuit of the ring to bring back their master and conquer the entire world.

While evil has two sides the forces of good are less divided and most are all in favor of the same motive, which is to destroy the ring. The forces of good are separated though at some points in the story as a few characters mean to take the Ring from Frodo and mean to use it themselves. Many others are able to resist the urge to take the ring and support the destruction of it. I believe the work tells us that there are many forms of good and evil and that each intent can be driven equally as strong, though when these intents entwine the result can be destructive and chaotic.


To view more quotes and views on the outcome of the story and its contrasts between good and evil follow the website below:
http://www.shmoop.com/fellowship-of-ring/good-evil-quotes.html

The Fellowship of Ring - Important line from the chapter

·         The most important line from a chapter is…  (and explain why it is important and how the plot develops from that line)

 I believe the most important line from the chapter, and a throughout all of the series, was:

 "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the Darkness bind them."  

    This quote really caught my eye because it was repeated from the beginning of the book and multiple times throughout. The quote refers to the simplest item you could think of: a plain gold ring, not embedded with any jewels or gemstones and yet not a scratch can be made on it. I really liked the symbolism that J.R.R. Tolkien used to describe it, because it is very simple and if it weren't a magical ring and didn't have an influence over others you might just not see it in the first place. The quote also supports how this ring that Frodo carries can determine the entire world's chance of survival against the servants of the enemy.

      The novel began by providing a effortless venture, that later presents a tense and slightly chilling story as Frodo and his companions try to escape the Nazgul. Nevertheless the plot changes almost as soon as this line is uttered by Gandalf and fear chills the bones of the council as they comprehend the true power behind the ring. This quote also encourages the group to proceed with their quest with haste and to deliver the Ring to Mount Doom, the origin of its creation, as quickly and stealthy as possible. Finally, I really enjoyed the quote because it used anaphora to catch your attention, and it consistently reminds you of this Ring's power and the potential it has to change the world for the worst.


If you'd like to read more of Tolkien's quotes visit Goodreads.com to explore his writing style.
(Or use this website: < http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3462456-the-lord-of-the-rings > )

Fellowship of the Ring - Suspense

              ·         Discuss the way the author built suspense in the book.  Was it effective?

          I believe that the author did a excellent work on creating a final suspenseful atmosphere at the end of the first half of the book. By providing a scene where the main character, Frodo, escapes narrowly from the Nazgul. Then with a little outside help, the hobbit is saved leaving you feeling a sense of relief for the him. Though to further this feeling of suspense Tolkien has Frodo faint from his fatal wound he received from the Ringwraiths. The ending provides you with two points of suspense meet their end within seconds of one another.  

          Suspense built across the book by beginning on the road where Frodo, Sam and Pippin first run into one of the nine Nazgul and are forced to find refuge with a group of vagabond elves heading to The Gray Havens. Slowly they are stalked by five of the nine and are set back significantly on their journey. Finally the hobbits meet up with Merry and Strider and encounter the Nazgul at Weathertop, where the Witch King (leader of the Nazgul) stabs Frodo and leaves him deathly sick. Below I have presented the film version of Frdo's escape from te Nazgul wth the Elf Arwen.

“One year later, Boston Marathon stakes higher” By Jimmy Golen Article Review - Interest in Article

Recently for in class assignments and leisurely reading articles written by Jimmy Golen, a writer from the Cincinnati Enquirer. I have read a few of his pieces and I found the following to be very informative, emotional and respectful. I was interested in this piece because I remember every detail of the Boston Marathon and how it affected the runners, the families, the bystanders,people who live nearby and even me. I found Jimmy Golen's recognition of the runners to be very respectful because he recognized each one and not about their athleticism, but by their emotions towards this new race and how they weren't participating, in full, to win but to support those who had been met by the tragedy that happened last year.

In addition to being respectful, I found this piece to be informative as it gives the reader clear and up to date information on the Boston Marathon's runners, reactions towards the races and recent achievements made by current day runners. In addition, Mr. Golen provides accurate information and proves that he is adept in the field that he is addressing and can be found reliable and genuine. Finally, I found his writing to be emotional through how he described the feelings runners had toward this event and how most had wanted to run it as they would any race, but have trouble choking down the thought of this being, much different then "just some race". Also he goes on to say the emotion of winning the races to support the entire country, as no American has won since 1985, which would bring pride to many runners and locals.




You can read this non-fiction writing yourself, right here. (Or you can use the link right here: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/2014/04/20/one-year-boston-marathon-stakes-higher/7951023/)

Free Car-Care Clinic Helps Save Jobs: Column Review

Summary: In this column the author describes how a local church volunteers their time to help improve the quality of people's cars who can't afford to get them checked themselves. They go on to discuss that many people don't know anything about their cars, which posts hazards on the road, in addition to the cost of maintaining that car.


To read the whole column at Cincinnati.com click here or follow the link here: 
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/columnists/krista-ramsey/2014/04/03/krista-ramsey-samaritan-car-care-clinic/7283631/


“'I get the feeling that 15 years ago, people wrote a check. Now people want to use their skills to help someone else,'...He says the four hours of volunteering have left him with a better understanding of other people’s needs and a stronger sense of gratitude."

The line above impacts the reader very strongly because it shows how even though some people drift off in the world and only think of themselves, there are other people who choose to spend their time and energy to help others and improve their lifestyles. This also could impact the reader to act out and help in organizations like these or even make their own. The diction used in this excerpt is mostly low and concrete, displaying a straight-forward and literal message that is easier for readers to understand. The syntax in this excerpt is fluctuating where the author makes sure to use different patterns and usually refrains to repeating words unless it is to revisit a the theme of the article or to emphasize a certain word.

Ramsey's writing style is one of concern, care and awareness and is to the point and clear. I found this because of the three articles all of them displayed her showing her awareness in society and her concern of the people who are in need or that need to be warned of dangers and important info. a few examples of her showing these traits in her writing are:

"Whatever magnificent things Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson do on the field Sunday at the Super Bowl, some of us appreciate what the two quarterbacks have done off the field all year. That is, helping to bring back the art of dressing " - This quote shows her awareness in society

You see it all the time. Your teenager at the dinner table, waiting for his checkup at the orthodontist’s office, sauntering to his car – continually hunched over his smartphone or iPad.
You can’t help but worry what all that screen time is doing to his posture, social skills and grades. - This quote shows how she cares for our society.

After losing her job as a pastry chef in 2011, losing everything she owned in an apartment fire the next year and losing her unemployment benefits this year, Tammy no longer takes things like windshield wiper blades or air filters for granted. - This quote shows her concern of our society.

Questions:

1. Where do you go to get the information and topics for your articles?
2. Where did you go to get the educational experience to write for the website?
3. How do you incorporate your voice into your writing?

The Fellowship of the Ring: Setting

•           Describe the setting of the novel.  Include details about the time and place as well as lines from the book that include good imagery.

In the Fellowship of the Ring as you follow the companions, across the massive world created by J.R.R. Tolkien, called Middle-Earth. In the beginning you are introduced to the plain, yet simple land of the Shire, here is where the hobbits dwell and is often described as out of the way, which contributes to the lack of knowledge about anything outside the Shire. During this journey, being in a separate world from our own we don't know the time or year the story is placed in but is presumed to be in medieval times, due to the structure of constructs and the tools used by smiths and soldiers.  As the journey continued from Hobbiton, where the four hobbits lived, they managed their way out of the Shire and into Crickhollow.

Crickhollow was visited for a short time, and was a refuge from the Black Riders. Another location addressed in the novel was Bree, which was described as, "...the chief village of the Bree-land, a small inhabited region, like an island in the empty lands round about...Lying round Bree-hill and the villages was a small country of fields and tamed woodland only a few miles broad." (Tolkien, 146). This description helped me understand the lay of the land along with the map provided. Overall I believe Tolkien has provided a great setting and continues to provide clear locations.

              (This is one of the maps used to represent the world of Middle-Earth.)

The Fellowship of the Ring - Chapter Review

•         The most important line from a chapter is…  (and explain why it is important and how the plot develops from that line)

"'You are very mysterious! What are you afraid of?' (asked Frodo). 'I am not certain, so I will say no more. I may be able to tell you something when I come back. I am going off at once: so this is good-bye for the present (said Gandalf).'" (Tolkien, 40)

     In the first chapter you encounter the many characters of The Shire and also multiple main characters such as Frodo, Gandalf and Sam. In the beginning, the story emits a sense of joy and happiness to the vocabulary and setting due to the celebrations occurring. Throughout the text so far, little disturbance had occurred besides a few spells and tricks. What I found so important about this line was the urgency of the tone and how through one chapter the outlook can be obscured slightly.  This brought me to realize that this was the first event leading to the rising action in the book.

     Another reason I found this line of the story so important was because it displays Gandalf, who is known to be knowledgeable in multiple fields of learning, to be confused, distraught and uneasy about Bilbo's ring. This also leaves Frodo bewildered, as to being blind of the conversation that occurred between the wizard and his uncle, and the situation concerning the party in general. This also leads to a long disappearance made by Gandalf and a lot of questioning left unanswered. 

To read more reviews on The Fellowship of the Ring visit Goodreads.com.