The Lord of the Rings Discussion : Chpts 7 and 8

[Rían]

Originally posted by Valandil
BTW - I suggest we transfer the discussion on Tom Bombadil's nature to another thread, since it goes well beyond the scope of this story. There's one just down the page which has already been bumped recently. I'll post some thoughts there soon.

yeah, you're right - the non-LOTR refs are kind of taking over - I'll scale back.

Interesting to me also are Merry's words upon waking. I don't know that he would have known of Carn Dum (the capital city of Angmar - an evil kingdom which over-ran the former kingdom in these barrows about 1600 years earlier). But he says; "What in the name of wonder? Of course, I remember! The men of Carn Dum came on us at night and we were worsted. Ah! The spear in my heart! No! No! What am I saying? I have been dreaming. Where did you get to, Frodo?"

This to me backs up the notions that the final thoughts of the man buried there were somehow being transmitted to Merry. And I gather that it was the remnants of this poor fellow's body which had been taken over by the wight... which was a spirit.

I agree - I don't think Merry would have known of Carn Dum at all. I think part of the wight's evilness was "consuming" or "taking over" its victims, and this was the last thought of the man it "got" - and if it had got Merry, then its next victim would be thinking "isn't it time for elevenses?"