Tolkien Blog Party 2016 Tag

Yes, it's time once again for my annual Tolkien Blog Party -- this post on my book blog has the tag and lots of info, and the giveaway is here.  Come join the fun!

Speaking of the tag, here are my answers:

1. How many books by J.R.R. Tolkien have you read?

Five.  I've read The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King, and The Silmarillion.

2. Have you seen any movies based on them? 

Indeed!  I've seen all 6 of Peter Jackson's films in the theater, and many times on DVD.

3. Are there any scenes/moments that make you cry? 

So many!  I think my #1 cry spot is when Sam picks Frodo up and says, "I can't carry it, Mr. Frodo, but I can carry you."  Oh, the tears fall thick and fast there, both for book and film.

4. Are there any scenes/moments that make you laugh? 

Also many!  I think one of the spots I laugh the most is the bit during The Hobbit:  The Battle of the Five Armies where Bilbo goes sneeeeeeeeeaking past the guards in Dale.  It's a moment of pure physical comedy that delights me.

5. Have you ever chosen a Middle Earth name for yourself? If so, what is it?

I've chosen a couple, actually.  The one that means anything at all interesting is Taulaes -- in some Elvish language, it means "lamb."  My real name, Rachel, also means "lamb," so that's why I chose that one.

6. Who would you want to party with/marry/fight to the death? (pick three characters) 

I want to party with Samwise Gamgee (because he's so sensible and I know we wouldn't get in trouble), marry Bard the Bowman (for all these reasons), and fight Grima Wormtongue to the death (because I despise him and I'd probably be able to take him down).

7. When was the last time you visited Middle Earth, via books or movies? 

Ummmmm, it would be when I last watched The Hobbit:  The Battle of the Five Armies, so sometime around February, I think.

8. Do you consider Gollum to be a villain? Why or why not? 

Kind of?  He does work against our heroes, so is a definite antagonist, but of course, not all antagonists are villains.  He does fit the definition of villain, in that his evil actions are important to the plot, and he's malicious, sometimes cruel.  I guess I view him as a tragic villain, one who lacked the moral strength to resist temptation, and who could not overcome his addiction to his Precious.  In the end, his need for it overwhelmed his ability and desire to do good.  Kind of a great picture of how sinful people cannot, by their own reason or strength, believe in Jesus as the Savior -- no matter how much they want to.  Good intentions and desires are not enough.

9. How would you sum up what Tolkien's stories mean to you in one word?

Hope.

10. List up to ten of your favorite lines/quotes from the books or movies.

(I'm going to repeat some favorites from previous years because I am not currently in the same place as my heavily underlined and annotated books.)

"Go where you must go, and hope!" -- Gandalf

"Now there's an eye opener, and no mistake." -- Sam

"The Men of the Mark do not lie, and therefore they are not easily deceived." -- Eomer

"However it may prove, one must tread the path that need chooses!" -- Gandalf

"What new devilry is this?" -- Boromir

"Will you have peace, or war?" -- Bard

In the dark at the rear, grim and silent, walked Aragorn. (Fellowship of the Ring)

"Look, I know you doubt me. I know you always have. And you're right, I often think of Bag End. I miss my books. And my armchair. And my garden. See, that's where I belong. That's home. And that's why I came back. Because... you don't have one. A home. It was taken from you. But I will help you take it back, if I can." -- Bilbo

(That last one is long, so I'm only doing 8 this year.)

Please join me at the party!