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Jan. 23rd, 2005 05:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dreamflowerSome of you may know that I frequent the Tolkien newsgroups rec.arts.book.tolkien and alt.fan.tolkien, where I like to take part in our ongoing Chapter of the Week discussion. This week, I had volunteered to do the summary and questions for "The Houses of Healing". I thought it might be fun to also post it on LJ, to see what kind of different reaction I might get to the usual ones at r.a.b.t/a.f.t.
I had to re-construct this summary, as it was lost a couple of weeks ago in my computer melt-down.
CHAPTER OF THE WEEK: BOOK VI, CHAPTER VIII, “The Houses of Healing”
In which our two younger hobbits are finally reunited beyond all hope; we learn the value of athelas and of listening carefully to old wives, and healing is found in the hands of the King…
SUMMARY:
The chapter opens with Merry, wounded, ill, lost, wandering the streets of Minas Tirith in a dark dream of despair brought on by the Black Breath of the Ringwraith he had helped to slay.
He is found by Pippin, but rather than rejoice at this sudden reunion, he seems to still be stuck at that awful moment on the battlefield, as he wonders where Théoden and Éowyn are, and he falls to weeping.
Poor Pippin scarcely seems to know what to make of this, but he gamely tries to help his cousin, responding in a brisk and hobbity manner, though clearly worried. (1)
The two of them have not made much progress when it is clear Merry can go no further. Fortunately for Pippin, he spies Bergil running errands, and is able to send a message for help. They are succored by none other than Gandalf himself, who comes to take Merry back to the Houses of Healing. (2)
We now have one of those “historical” interludes, as the Houses of Healing are described, and we are told of the marvelous state of Gondorian medicine. (3) Faramir, Éowyn and Merry are put to bed suffering not only from their battle injuries but also from the “Black Shadow” which also afflicts many others. (4) They spend all day from morning to evening growing steadily worse.(5)
Gandalf spends this time doing as much as he is able for the stricken, but he grows steadily more worried, until we hear from Ioreth, the old wife, who comes up with the adage: “The hands of the King are the hands of a healer.” Gandalf is immediately taken by this, and goes out in search of Aragorn.
Now we have a bit of an interlude *outside* the Houses of Healing, as we find the Captains of the West, Aragorn, Éomer and Imrahil talking outside the City. Aragorn refuses to enter, wishing to wait for a better time to declare himself. The other two argue with him a bit, but do not press the issue. (6)
Aragorn goes back to camp, and Imrahil and Éomer enter Minas Tirith and go to the Citadel where they find Théoden lying in state there, but no Steward, and no sign of Éowyn. Imrahil asks after the Steward (meaning Denethor) and Mithrandir, and is told the Steward (meaning Faramir) is in the Houses of Healing. Éomer naturally asks after his sister, whom he thinks is dead. Imrahil immediately tells him that she is alive, surprised that he did not know this. They hurry to the Houses of Healing. (7)
At the steps they meet Gandalf and “one cloaked in grey”. Now they finally learn of Denethor’s death, and Faramir’s wounding. Imrahil once more wonders about sending for Aragorn, and Gandalf’s companion proves to be him. He still, however, refuses to take up his rule, but defers command of everyone to Gandalf. And they all agreed upon that. (8)
As they enter, Aragorn is accosted by Pippin, who is delighted to see him, and greets him with typical hobbit enthusiasm. (9) Aragorn is pleased to see him, but puts off the exchange of stories for a while. Imrahil is surprised at the informality of Pippin’s greeting, and his calling Aragorn “Strider”. This is when we find out that Aragorn will reign as “Elessar Telcontar”.
Now they go in to see the patients, and Aragorn asks after athelas, aka kingsfoil, of Ioreth. She doesn’t know, and they send for the herb-master. While they wait for the herb master to arrive, Aragorn and Ioreth discuss Faramir’s case. Aragorn is clearly very worried about his condition. Then the herb master arrives. He bandys words with Aragorn before admitting that they have no athelas in store. (10) Gandalf completely loses patience at this point. (And who can blame him for being cross?) He says to send for some “old man of less lore and more wisdom”--the search is on for the needed plant.
Finally, Bergil arrives with six leaves. Aragorn says it will serve and sets about using them on Faramir. The description of the smell is very evocative. It leaves the impression that perhaps it has a different smell for different people. Faramir awakens, and in spite of never having laid eyes on Aragorn before, knows him immediately for his King. (11)
Now he moves on to Éowyn. He observes that her actual *physical* injury (the broken shield-arm) is in a fair way to healing. But her sword-arm which took what might be called a *psychic* blow is cold and dead. Then there is a lovely bit where he acknowledges her infatuation with him, and pays her some nice compliments. Her brother admits he was aware of it, and says he holds Aragorn blameless. Then Gandalf makes the nice little speech about how she feared being caged. (The speech PJ gave to Wormtongue, which gave it a much more sinister tone.) Aragorn tells her brother that she does not really love him (Aragorn) so much as what he represents, and that in order to survive, she must awake to hope and not despair. He calls her, and uses the athelas, and then leaves before she is fully awake, telling her brother to call her.
Finally they go to Merry. Once more, Aragorn calls his patient, and uses the athelas. I love the description of its smell here: “like the scent of orchards, and of heather in the sunshine full of bees.”
Merry’s first words? “I am hungry. What is the time?” (How hobbity! I love it) (12) Merry is told he might have anything he wishes if it is available. He then wonders about a pipe, and briefly is saddened by the thought of Théoden. Aragorn tells him to smoke and think of Théoden and remember him. We then have one of my favorite bits in the chapter, where Merry asks after his pipe, and Aragorn gently teases him about it, as well as lampooning the herb-master at the same time. This is followed by Merry’s admission that Shirefolk tend to make light of serious things. (13) Aragorn gives Merry a kiss and leaves with Gandalf, leaving Pippin alone with his cousin.
Pippin lets Merry know his pipe is right there in his pack, which he had with him. They settle down to a smoke, and Merry gives a beautiful little speech about “things deeper and higher, and not a gaffer could tend his garden in peace but for them.” (14)
Finally, Aragorn and Gandalf find the Warder of the Houses of Healing, and Aragorn leaves “doctor’s orders” so to speak, as to his patients: Éowyn is to be permitted to get up when she feels like it, but is, if possible to be kept there for ten days; Faramir is not to be told the full story of his father’s ending until he is completely healed; Merry is to be allowed up the next day if he feels like it, and to walk about with his friends. I love the Warden’s description of hobbits: “very tough in the fibre”.
Aragorn goes to supper, and then, sending for Elladan and Elrohir, the three of them work on into the night tending to other wounded. The rumor of the King goes out, but in the morning, there is no sign he was ever in the City. (15)
QUESTIONS AND OBSERVATIONS:
(1) Once more we see the POV from the inside. Merry’s despair is so vividly described, this whole first passage is from *his* POV, then the next passage begins with Pippin’s POV. This is not something that I would have particularly taken notice of before our discussions about it here. It certainly lends even more immediacy and poignancy to their reunion.
( And Merry’s pitiful little “Are you going to bury me?” makes my eyes sting every time. This scene is one of the most emotional in the book, and certainly *the* most emotional one for these two.)
(2) Gandalf says “And yet here is another charge on my hands, while all the time the battle hangs in the balance.” I find this puzzling, as at this point I thought the battle was all but over, and victory claimed. Was the battle still in question at this point in time?
(3) We are told that they are “skilled in the healing of wound and hurt, and all such sickness as east of the Sea men were subject to. Save old age only.” This means their medical knowledge actually surpassed that of today--cures for *all* sicknesses were available, so I suppose this means such things as cancer, congestive heart failure, etc. that even today we cannot always cure. What form did their medical technology take, anyway? I can’t seem to picture such things as I.V.s or chemo-therapy in Gondor, so what then? Something akin to certain alternative therapies? Healing touch seems unfamiliar to them, as they seem to be surprised at the way Aragorn goes about his healing.
(4) The Black Shadow (aka Black Breath) does indeed seem beyond the Gondorian medical skill. We discover that many (but not all) of the defenders are affected. I know this has come up before, but it’s a good place to discuss it again: could the Ringwraiths *control* the strength and effectiveness of their “terror”, could they “aim” it at certain people? If not, then why was everyone in the City not afflicted?
(5) This is the first time I ever noticed that they spend *all day long* trying to care for these patients. It makes it seem so much more somber when you realize this.
(6) At this point in time, none of these Captains are aware that Denethor is dead. Would this have made a difference in Aragorn’s attitude here, do you think, if he had known there was no one in active opposition to him in the City?
(7) What do you think of all this conversation at cross-purposes? Everyone is misunderstanding, because no one is yet in possession of all the facts. I’ve always shaken my head at Imrahil’s response to Éomer, since it was the Prince who found out she was not dead--if he did not tell her brother himself, who did he expect would have? What does this say about the importance of communications in battle and its aftermath?
(8) It is interesting to note that this major decision was not made in any kind of council or debate at all, but was instead made at an impromptu and unforeseen encounter on the steps. I’m not sure *what* this says about the state of things…
(9) How do you suppose Pippin came to guess it was Strider in the corsair ships? At the time he was separated from them there was no hint of the Paths of the Dead, or that Aragorn and the others would be taking any other way to the City than with the Rohirrim. Was this another bit of the kind of “knowing in the heart” so often found in the books, or just wishful thinking on Pippin’s part that just happened to come true?
(10) This nameless herb-master is another of those minor characters who flair briefly and vividly to life, before vanishing from the story. His function seems to be mainly to provide a list of the various names for athelas in different languages--not one which would have been unimportant to JRRT. To those of you knowledgeable about his languages, is anything revealed here?
(11) Any speculation about what was involved in Faramir’s healing, and how he seemed to know the King?
(12) What is it with unconscious hobbits and time? The time is also the first thing Frodo wanted to know in Rivendell, and Sam, though not quite the very first thing, wants to know “noon of what day?” when he comes to in Cormallen.
(13) To those of you who think that in RotK Aragorn is stuffy and pompous, take note of this bit of wonderfully dry humor. It’s gently funny and a bit wicked, and at a time when he was probably completely exhausted after doing battle that morning, and now in the evening dealing with the wounded.
(14) Although not the main theme, this is a recurring theme throughout LotR. Is there some significance to its being stated so boldly here?
(15) Again, Aragorn refuses to take up the kingship yet, even though he knows that with Denethor gone there is unlikely to be any opposition. Any ideas as to why?
OTHER POINTS TO PONDER:
--Everyone in this chapter has to be completely exhausted. Gandalf and Pippin have been up all night dealing with a siege and a madman; Aragorn, Éomer (and presumably Imrahil) have been up all night traveling to and/or preparing for battle, then they have done battle, and dealt with its aftermath, and now go to take care of the wounded. All of them are showing heroic stamina.
--Gandalf pretty much places himself in the background in this chapter, except for a couple of typically gruff outbursts. Yet he has been placed in command of the entire War on the steps of the Houses of Healing.
--I wonder where and how young Bergil found the athelas?
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Master Meriadoc,” said Aragorn, “if you think I have passed through the mountains and the realm of Gondor with fire and sword to bring herbs to a careless soldier who throws away his gear, you are mistaken. If your pack has not been found then you must send for the herb-master of this House. And he will tell you that he did not know that the herb you desire had any virtues, but that it is call westmansweed by the vulgar and galenas by the noble, and other names in other tongues more learned, and after adding a few half-forgotten rhymes that he does not understand, he will regretfully inform you that there in none in the House, and he will leave you to reflect on the history of tongues.”
***
Hope others might find it interesting.
I had to re-construct this summary, as it was lost a couple of weeks ago in my computer melt-down.
CHAPTER OF THE WEEK: BOOK VI, CHAPTER VIII, “The Houses of Healing”
In which our two younger hobbits are finally reunited beyond all hope; we learn the value of athelas and of listening carefully to old wives, and healing is found in the hands of the King…
SUMMARY:
The chapter opens with Merry, wounded, ill, lost, wandering the streets of Minas Tirith in a dark dream of despair brought on by the Black Breath of the Ringwraith he had helped to slay.
He is found by Pippin, but rather than rejoice at this sudden reunion, he seems to still be stuck at that awful moment on the battlefield, as he wonders where Théoden and Éowyn are, and he falls to weeping.
Poor Pippin scarcely seems to know what to make of this, but he gamely tries to help his cousin, responding in a brisk and hobbity manner, though clearly worried. (1)
The two of them have not made much progress when it is clear Merry can go no further. Fortunately for Pippin, he spies Bergil running errands, and is able to send a message for help. They are succored by none other than Gandalf himself, who comes to take Merry back to the Houses of Healing. (2)
We now have one of those “historical” interludes, as the Houses of Healing are described, and we are told of the marvelous state of Gondorian medicine. (3) Faramir, Éowyn and Merry are put to bed suffering not only from their battle injuries but also from the “Black Shadow” which also afflicts many others. (4) They spend all day from morning to evening growing steadily worse.(5)
Gandalf spends this time doing as much as he is able for the stricken, but he grows steadily more worried, until we hear from Ioreth, the old wife, who comes up with the adage: “The hands of the King are the hands of a healer.” Gandalf is immediately taken by this, and goes out in search of Aragorn.
Now we have a bit of an interlude *outside* the Houses of Healing, as we find the Captains of the West, Aragorn, Éomer and Imrahil talking outside the City. Aragorn refuses to enter, wishing to wait for a better time to declare himself. The other two argue with him a bit, but do not press the issue. (6)
Aragorn goes back to camp, and Imrahil and Éomer enter Minas Tirith and go to the Citadel where they find Théoden lying in state there, but no Steward, and no sign of Éowyn. Imrahil asks after the Steward (meaning Denethor) and Mithrandir, and is told the Steward (meaning Faramir) is in the Houses of Healing. Éomer naturally asks after his sister, whom he thinks is dead. Imrahil immediately tells him that she is alive, surprised that he did not know this. They hurry to the Houses of Healing. (7)
At the steps they meet Gandalf and “one cloaked in grey”. Now they finally learn of Denethor’s death, and Faramir’s wounding. Imrahil once more wonders about sending for Aragorn, and Gandalf’s companion proves to be him. He still, however, refuses to take up his rule, but defers command of everyone to Gandalf. And they all agreed upon that. (8)
As they enter, Aragorn is accosted by Pippin, who is delighted to see him, and greets him with typical hobbit enthusiasm. (9) Aragorn is pleased to see him, but puts off the exchange of stories for a while. Imrahil is surprised at the informality of Pippin’s greeting, and his calling Aragorn “Strider”. This is when we find out that Aragorn will reign as “Elessar Telcontar”.
Now they go in to see the patients, and Aragorn asks after athelas, aka kingsfoil, of Ioreth. She doesn’t know, and they send for the herb-master. While they wait for the herb master to arrive, Aragorn and Ioreth discuss Faramir’s case. Aragorn is clearly very worried about his condition. Then the herb master arrives. He bandys words with Aragorn before admitting that they have no athelas in store. (10) Gandalf completely loses patience at this point. (And who can blame him for being cross?) He says to send for some “old man of less lore and more wisdom”--the search is on for the needed plant.
Finally, Bergil arrives with six leaves. Aragorn says it will serve and sets about using them on Faramir. The description of the smell is very evocative. It leaves the impression that perhaps it has a different smell for different people. Faramir awakens, and in spite of never having laid eyes on Aragorn before, knows him immediately for his King. (11)
Now he moves on to Éowyn. He observes that her actual *physical* injury (the broken shield-arm) is in a fair way to healing. But her sword-arm which took what might be called a *psychic* blow is cold and dead. Then there is a lovely bit where he acknowledges her infatuation with him, and pays her some nice compliments. Her brother admits he was aware of it, and says he holds Aragorn blameless. Then Gandalf makes the nice little speech about how she feared being caged. (The speech PJ gave to Wormtongue, which gave it a much more sinister tone.) Aragorn tells her brother that she does not really love him (Aragorn) so much as what he represents, and that in order to survive, she must awake to hope and not despair. He calls her, and uses the athelas, and then leaves before she is fully awake, telling her brother to call her.
Finally they go to Merry. Once more, Aragorn calls his patient, and uses the athelas. I love the description of its smell here: “like the scent of orchards, and of heather in the sunshine full of bees.”
Merry’s first words? “I am hungry. What is the time?” (How hobbity! I love it) (12) Merry is told he might have anything he wishes if it is available. He then wonders about a pipe, and briefly is saddened by the thought of Théoden. Aragorn tells him to smoke and think of Théoden and remember him. We then have one of my favorite bits in the chapter, where Merry asks after his pipe, and Aragorn gently teases him about it, as well as lampooning the herb-master at the same time. This is followed by Merry’s admission that Shirefolk tend to make light of serious things. (13) Aragorn gives Merry a kiss and leaves with Gandalf, leaving Pippin alone with his cousin.
Pippin lets Merry know his pipe is right there in his pack, which he had with him. They settle down to a smoke, and Merry gives a beautiful little speech about “things deeper and higher, and not a gaffer could tend his garden in peace but for them.” (14)
Finally, Aragorn and Gandalf find the Warder of the Houses of Healing, and Aragorn leaves “doctor’s orders” so to speak, as to his patients: Éowyn is to be permitted to get up when she feels like it, but is, if possible to be kept there for ten days; Faramir is not to be told the full story of his father’s ending until he is completely healed; Merry is to be allowed up the next day if he feels like it, and to walk about with his friends. I love the Warden’s description of hobbits: “very tough in the fibre”.
Aragorn goes to supper, and then, sending for Elladan and Elrohir, the three of them work on into the night tending to other wounded. The rumor of the King goes out, but in the morning, there is no sign he was ever in the City. (15)
QUESTIONS AND OBSERVATIONS:
(1) Once more we see the POV from the inside. Merry’s despair is so vividly described, this whole first passage is from *his* POV, then the next passage begins with Pippin’s POV. This is not something that I would have particularly taken notice of before our discussions about it here. It certainly lends even more immediacy and poignancy to their reunion.
( And Merry’s pitiful little “Are you going to bury me?” makes my eyes sting every time. This scene is one of the most emotional in the book, and certainly *the* most emotional one for these two.)
(2) Gandalf says “And yet here is another charge on my hands, while all the time the battle hangs in the balance.” I find this puzzling, as at this point I thought the battle was all but over, and victory claimed. Was the battle still in question at this point in time?
(3) We are told that they are “skilled in the healing of wound and hurt, and all such sickness as east of the Sea men were subject to. Save old age only.” This means their medical knowledge actually surpassed that of today--cures for *all* sicknesses were available, so I suppose this means such things as cancer, congestive heart failure, etc. that even today we cannot always cure. What form did their medical technology take, anyway? I can’t seem to picture such things as I.V.s or chemo-therapy in Gondor, so what then? Something akin to certain alternative therapies? Healing touch seems unfamiliar to them, as they seem to be surprised at the way Aragorn goes about his healing.
(4) The Black Shadow (aka Black Breath) does indeed seem beyond the Gondorian medical skill. We discover that many (but not all) of the defenders are affected. I know this has come up before, but it’s a good place to discuss it again: could the Ringwraiths *control* the strength and effectiveness of their “terror”, could they “aim” it at certain people? If not, then why was everyone in the City not afflicted?
(5) This is the first time I ever noticed that they spend *all day long* trying to care for these patients. It makes it seem so much more somber when you realize this.
(6) At this point in time, none of these Captains are aware that Denethor is dead. Would this have made a difference in Aragorn’s attitude here, do you think, if he had known there was no one in active opposition to him in the City?
(7) What do you think of all this conversation at cross-purposes? Everyone is misunderstanding, because no one is yet in possession of all the facts. I’ve always shaken my head at Imrahil’s response to Éomer, since it was the Prince who found out she was not dead--if he did not tell her brother himself, who did he expect would have? What does this say about the importance of communications in battle and its aftermath?
(8) It is interesting to note that this major decision was not made in any kind of council or debate at all, but was instead made at an impromptu and unforeseen encounter on the steps. I’m not sure *what* this says about the state of things…
(9) How do you suppose Pippin came to guess it was Strider in the corsair ships? At the time he was separated from them there was no hint of the Paths of the Dead, or that Aragorn and the others would be taking any other way to the City than with the Rohirrim. Was this another bit of the kind of “knowing in the heart” so often found in the books, or just wishful thinking on Pippin’s part that just happened to come true?
(10) This nameless herb-master is another of those minor characters who flair briefly and vividly to life, before vanishing from the story. His function seems to be mainly to provide a list of the various names for athelas in different languages--not one which would have been unimportant to JRRT. To those of you knowledgeable about his languages, is anything revealed here?
(11) Any speculation about what was involved in Faramir’s healing, and how he seemed to know the King?
(12) What is it with unconscious hobbits and time? The time is also the first thing Frodo wanted to know in Rivendell, and Sam, though not quite the very first thing, wants to know “noon of what day?” when he comes to in Cormallen.
(13) To those of you who think that in RotK Aragorn is stuffy and pompous, take note of this bit of wonderfully dry humor. It’s gently funny and a bit wicked, and at a time when he was probably completely exhausted after doing battle that morning, and now in the evening dealing with the wounded.
(14) Although not the main theme, this is a recurring theme throughout LotR. Is there some significance to its being stated so boldly here?
(15) Again, Aragorn refuses to take up the kingship yet, even though he knows that with Denethor gone there is unlikely to be any opposition. Any ideas as to why?
OTHER POINTS TO PONDER:
--Everyone in this chapter has to be completely exhausted. Gandalf and Pippin have been up all night dealing with a siege and a madman; Aragorn, Éomer (and presumably Imrahil) have been up all night traveling to and/or preparing for battle, then they have done battle, and dealt with its aftermath, and now go to take care of the wounded. All of them are showing heroic stamina.
--Gandalf pretty much places himself in the background in this chapter, except for a couple of typically gruff outbursts. Yet he has been placed in command of the entire War on the steps of the Houses of Healing.
--I wonder where and how young Bergil found the athelas?
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Master Meriadoc,” said Aragorn, “if you think I have passed through the mountains and the realm of Gondor with fire and sword to bring herbs to a careless soldier who throws away his gear, you are mistaken. If your pack has not been found then you must send for the herb-master of this House. And he will tell you that he did not know that the herb you desire had any virtues, but that it is call westmansweed by the vulgar and galenas by the noble, and other names in other tongues more learned, and after adding a few half-forgotten rhymes that he does not understand, he will regretfully inform you that there in none in the House, and he will leave you to reflect on the history of tongues.”
***
Hope others might find it interesting.