Gorgeously thought-provoking post and comments. I'm afraid I don't have much to say on this, but it's certainly a lot of delicious and substantial food for thought. :) Thank you!
It is, isn't it? In the most painful, most heart-wrenching AU that really could happen to Frodo. But of course that would negate the whole grace and redemption theme that Tolkien meant for Frodo's sailing to the Undying Land.
You're right about his scene-stealing presence. He really brought the character alive. The film didn't do anything to me, sadly. But Elijah made me want to read the book, so I can understand more about Ben Gunn.
Good grief, that's a sad poem! But I think it fits Ben's journey more than Frodo's. I agree, Frodo would be healed oversea, not abandoned to run lost in the wilderness. I think the poem might more reflect what his experience would be had he stayed in the Shire; unable to connect with the people there.
I love this picture of Elijah. I truly didn't recognize him. Wow. He's a man grown, but still lovely. :) So good to see you again.
I did not know that poem existed! Thank you for bringing it to my attention. There is a lot I still need to learn about Tolkien.
The peom seems to have the flavour of the 'wild ride' or 'wild hunt' poems where people are stolen or tempted away by fairies into a wonderful place and then imprisoned, from which they escape and are then pursued. They are often a metaphor for a pleasant dream that turns into a nightmare. It could also be about alienation. When he speaks of letting go the sea shell perhaps that is a sign of acceptance or a putting away of temptation. It's so interesting!
Like you I felt that Treasure Island lacked something when Elijah was not on the screen (although we may be biased!) And they did give him such a marvellous character makeup. I just wished he'd been playing Robinson Crusoe and we could have had him onscreen all the time!
And it's tremendous to see you posting again. Please stick around, won't you? *HUGS* xxx
I'm glad that he played Ben Gunn instead of Jimmy, which I initially thought would have been the obvious choice for him, esp if he had been younger. Like you said, he played it so well, and the stark contrast between his blue, blue eyes and the deep tan of his face, that was insanely mesmerizing.
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I love this picture of Elijah. I truly didn't recognize him. Wow. He's a man grown, but still lovely. :)
So good to see you again.
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The peom seems to have the flavour of the 'wild ride' or 'wild hunt' poems where people are stolen or tempted away by fairies into a wonderful place and then imprisoned, from which they escape and are then pursued. They are often a metaphor for a pleasant dream that turns into a nightmare. It could also be about alienation. When he speaks of letting go the sea shell perhaps that is a sign of acceptance or a putting away of temptation. It's so interesting!
Like you I felt that Treasure Island lacked something when Elijah was not on the screen (although we may be biased!) And they did give him such a marvellous character makeup. I just wished he'd been playing Robinson Crusoe and we could have had him onscreen all the time!
And it's tremendous to see you posting again. Please stick around, won't you? *HUGS* xxx
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HEY YOU!!!!!
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