(no subject)
Name: Iris
Age: 17
Talents: Reading, writing and graphics design fiddling.
1. What do you think of J.R.R. Tolkien? He was a master craftsman in his field and worked incredibly hard on his work. I'm reading The Silmarillion for the second time and you realise just how detailed and intricate his creations are. It's something that, as an amatur writer, I can only dream of doing; drawing from known myths and legends yet creating something totally new.
2. What are your thoughts on The Lord of the Rings (book and/or movies)? The Books are a convoluted and really heavy-going adventure and can't just be picked up for a lazy afternoon read. It requires a lot of concentration to get through it, but as you read it, you become so involved and ingrossed in his world, you can be reading it for hours and hours and not know until something brings you back to this world :)
The Movies are, I think, a work of genius on a few different levels. First of all, they managed to re-create Tolkien's world without cutting out too much and working around bits they did have to cut out. Also, they have kept most of the book-fans happy while still bringing in new fans. Thirdly, the actors chosen wern't Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie-esque actors. This meant that you saw the character rather than who was playing them; something I found hard to do in movies such as Troy.
3. Which was your favorite section in the book and/or scene in the movie? I can't say I have a favorite section of the book. I suppose the beginning where everything is being set up and the characters are being introduced and fleshed out in the Shire. After Bree it dulls down a bit until they set out on their journey. Right now, my favorite book is The Silmarillion and The Children of Hurin, although my favorite bits in The Silmarillion would be any bits with the Noldor or the Sons of Feanor.
In the movie, I have to say, again my favorite bits are the Shire. Especially in the EE when Bilbo is talking about Concerning Hobbits. It's so sweet and funny, and it's a strong contrast to what most of the movie entails.
4. What is your least favorite section in the book and/or scene in the movie? In the book, it's Frodo and Sam's journey through Emyn Muil. So very long and repeditive it drove me nuts!
In the movie, it's anything to do with Arwen. I don't like the way they portrayed the character in the movies so I can't stand her introduction in FOTR. (I admit, I was waiting for a georgeous Glorfindel and I was miffed I missed out on him!)
5. Have you read The Silmarillion, The Unfinished Tales, or any other of Tolkien's related works? Read and adored Silmarillion and Children of Hurin. As I mentioned above, it's amazing to read just how intricate his creations are.
6. Who is your favorite LotR character and why? Eowyn. I feel she has a great strength in being able to deal with her degenerating uncle, her brother's banishing from Rohan, being an orphan, her beloved cousin dying, a total creep stalking her and the world as she knows it turning to custard. She handles everything that life throws at her in a mature and responsible way and I would aspire to be like her if she wasn't so cold and broken. The first person she sees who can free her from this world that she feels trapped in is Aragorn and I think she really comes out of her shell then.
7. Who is your least favorite LotR character and why? I'd have to say Arwen, for the reasons I mentioned above; I think that in the movie she became too much of a 'Mary Sue' character, changing from a warrior to a mysterious elf to a princess to a lovesick puppy in the space of fifteen minutes. I feel that -- movie! and book!verse -- Aragorn would be more suited to someone similar to Eowyn. Another unfavorite would be Tom. What the hell is his purpose? And what is he on?
8. What are your thoughts on technology? It depends on what it's being used for. Medicine? Go for it! Anything that can help heal or make life better for someone can only be good for humanity. However, advances for the sake of advances aren't all that wonderful. I mean, who cares if we can have mobile phones the size of a grain of rice (I don't know if we can; it just popped into my head!). I also don't like people having, for example, a plasma screen, surround sound, etc. for the sake of it. If you can spend all that money on yourself surely spend some on others who really need it!
9. What are your thoughts on nature? I feel sorry for poor Mother Nature! In past years we've not treated her too kindly and I think everyone's done a great job recently of patching her back together.
10. What are your thoughts on war? It's never a good thing; I don't see how one can win a war when you've sustained casualties. However, sometimes it's hard to see a diplomatic way out of situations, but I think that no matter what, every avenure should be exhausted before declaring war somewhere. Maybe that's a very naive view on politics, but it seems like a good one to me :)
11. What do you think are your top five positive characteristics? I'm loyal and honest. I'm also hard working and polite most of the time, which apparently makes me a good employee.
12. What do you think are your top five negative characteristics? I'm very impatient, especially with family members. I'm also not willing to be told what to do and I get angry very quickly, as seen where I work a few times (don't mumble about the service under your breath or I'll bite your head off!) I'm not a morning person and I'm the biggest procrastinator ever.
13. Given the choice, which race would you NOT want to be? Probably Dwarf, but only because I don't think I fit the description. But I could be wrong.
14. If you could live anywhere on Earth (modern, not Arda), where would it be? London. I don't know why, perhaps because I love British TV shows, books, etc. like Doctor Who, Sherlock Holmes, Austensand Bronte books and would like to see where they come from.
15. Despite whatever your thoughts on war might be, if you were absolutely forced to go into battle, what weapon would you wield (can be modern or historical)? I'd say a bow or sniper because I think I'd be a huge coward in battle and wouldn't want to get anywhere near the fighting.
16. What are your thoughts on death? I'm a religious person so I don't fear death in itself but more in the way it will happen. I don't want to get Cancer or hit by a bus, but in this day and age, it's unlikely I'll pass away peacefully in my sleep.
17. What are your favorite books (excluding LotR)? I love Harry Potter, the Bitterbynde Series by Cecilia Dart-Thornton and any Doctor Who novels I can get my hands on. I also enjoy a few stand-alone books such as Winter Rose by Patricia McKillip. When I was younger, I was nuts about the Silver Brumby and Cairo Jim and I still read some for nostalgia's sake.
18. Describe your biggest role model. Probably my mum. I think in the past year we've come to understand each other more than ever. She didn't want to live life how everyone told her to so she moved us to New Zealand. At first I hated her for it, but then I came to realise what she was doing by moving away from family who were constantly telling her how to run her household and family. She's supported me in most of what I do, such as wanting to go to a college in Dunedin or do an exchange in France.
19. How did you hear about sorting_realm/tolkiens_realm? khallandra
20. If you had the One Ring, what would you do with it? Be honest! I would probably take it but I don't think I'd be able to do much damage with it because I lack so much ambition. In the end, I would either give it up to someone else who wanted it enough to take it from me without much of a fuss or discard it (not destroy it) myself.
ETA 20/09: I'll be in Japan until the 6th of October, so if I don't reply, it's not because I've lost interest, it's because I don't have any internet access! Thanks :)