

100 - There's a Shadow Hanging Over Me
Oct 28, 2018
In this insightful discussion, Shaun Gunner, the Chair of the Tolkien Society, shares his journey from joining the board at 24 to leading the society. He highlights the importance of Oxonmoot and details the exciting plans for Tolkien 2019 in Birmingham, featuring guests and performances. The conversation dives into the society's role in preserving Tolkien's legacy and digitizing archives for fans. Listeners also get a glimpse into themes like fate, free will, and the chilling origins of Gollum and the One Ring, making for an engaging exploration of Middle-earth.
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Fate And Free Will Interlock
- Gandalf frames fate versus free will: some events are not for us to decide while our actions within them are.
- This pairing sets a moral template that guides Frodo's choices throughout the story.
"Second Darkness" Connects Ages
- Tolkien reuses the phrase "second darkness" across texts to link themes of recurring catastrophe.
- Its appearance suggests the Second Age dark years inspired Gandalf's warning, not vice versa.
Three Rings Remain Uncorrupted
- The Three Rings were never touched by Sauron, which preserves their distinct power and moral stance.
- That untouched status matters to how their wielders can resist domination later in the tale.