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@lavellenchanted / lavellenchanted.tumblr.com

Sarah. 30s. British. "For though she be but little, she is fierce."
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lavellenchanted
lotsofthinkythoughts
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realtacuardach

One difference between the Lord of the Rings books and the Peter Jackson films that I find really interesting is what the hobbits find when they return to the Shire.

In the books, they return from the War, only to see that the war has not left their home untouched. Not only has it not left their home unscathed, battle and conflict is still actively ravaging the Shire. They return, weary and battle-scarred, to find a home actively wounded and in need of rescue and healing. All four launch themselves into defending their home and rousting those harming it, and eventually succeed. But their idyllic home has been damaged, and even once healed, is never quite again the Shire they set out to save.

In contrast, in the Jackson films, they return to a Shire shockingly untouched by the horrors of war. The hobbits of the Shire talk, in the Green Dragon in Fellowship of the Ring, about not getting involved with issues "beyond our borders," and it seems those issues have not invaded their sanctuary. After having been bowed to by kings, dwarves, elves, and men alike at the coronation in Gondor, their only acknowledgment upon returning home is a skeptical head shake from an older hobbit.

One of the most poignant scenes to me in Return of the King (and there are a considerable amount) is the scene where Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin are sitting in the Green Dragon. The pub patrons bustle around them, talking loudly, clapping excitedly, drinking cheerfully, just as they had in the beginning of the story. But the four hobbits sit silently, watching almost curiously at what was once familiar but is now foreign to them. Their home has not changed. But they have.

Which is the deeper hurt? To come to your home to find it irrevocably changed, despite all you did to keep it untouched and the same? Or to return home but no longer feeling at home, because it is only you that is irrevocably changed?

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jackironsides

As an Australian, I can't help but wonder if Jackson being a New Zealander affects this. Although he's obviously too young to have done so, New Zealanders and Aussies fought in the two world wars that inform the writing of the Lord of the Rings. And where Britain was bombed during WWII on night raids, Australia and New Zealand were largely untouched.

A British soldier returning home in 1949 would have had a vastly different homecoming to a New Zealander returning home from a war half a world away.

#a very interesting point#lord of the rings#how do you wanna queue this
lavellenchanted
theawkwardterrier
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sincerely-chaos

To all the fic writers out there that are not currently writing. Either it's because of RL, health, writer's block or something has happened that have disheartened you. Thank you for what you've written, and don't ever feel pressured or stressed - fanfic should be something good for all of us; both reader and writer. You're more important than what you do, but thank you for what you've done!

#a good message thank you#how do you wanna queue this
lavellenchanted
fyelves
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southfarthing

Sam could never describe in words, nor picture clearly to himself, what he felt or thought that night, though it remained in his memory as one of the chief events of his life. The nearest he ever got was to say: 'Well, sir, if I could grow apples like that, I would call myself a gardener. But it was the singing that went to my heart, if you know what I mean.'

Frodo sat, eating, drinking, and talking with delight; but his mind was chiefly on the words spoken. He knew a little of the elf-speech and listened eagerly. Now and again he spoke to those that served him and thanked them in their own language. They smiled at him and said laughing: 'Here is a jewel among hobbits!'

#lord of the rings#how do you wanna queue this
lavellenchanted
theawkwardterrier
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ponderorb

‘Pumpie' 

Elephant soft toy made of grey felt, dressed as a sailor in a smart, dark blue, woolen jacket and matching trousers, England, 1900.

Pumpie and his V&A friends post-restoration 🐘 🐻🐇

Pumpie photographed by original Victorian owners, at the seaside and with friends:

#toys#how do you wanna queue this