a question for you all and a meme

[cornerofmadness]

snagged from lordgloria (we're twins)


Which Colossal Death Robot Are You?
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And the question is I'm going to read Lord of the Rings out loud at the college library's Read Banned Books celebration (okay reading 5-15 minutes worth). The librarians were particularly interested in a selection that demonstrated WHY it was banned. LoTR was banned (and burned) as Satanic in various places in the South. What passages do you think would illustrate that best?

Comments

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

...er....

I would have NO idea. Since I read those books over...uh...thirty years ago.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

ditto

[marynachaotica.livejournal.com]

It was considered WHAT!? WTF? How could....*shaking head* I can't think of a single passage that could even come CLOSE to being called something like that. What a bunch of morons down there...wherever there is that deemed it Satanic. gods and I thought people in my neck of the woods were CroMagnon throwbacks.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

there's always someone somewhere

[marynachaotica.livejournal.com]

*slowly shaking head* As if Hobbits were a work of the devil...I mean REALLY!

[ladystarlightsj.livejournal.com]

The ALA website doesn't really point to anything specific either -- the only thing that I can think of is that there is 'magic' used in the books. Maybe try a passage where Gandalf is hurling thunderbolts around?

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

yeah I think i'll have to find a spot where there's plenty of magic. It shouldn't be hard to do

[enemytosleep]

I never made it through all the books, but maybe when Saruman is breeding/creating the Orcs? Or maybe something with the Witch King (even the Ring Wraiths are pretty demonic)? Sounds like a fun project!

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

it's been 30 years since I've read them. the breeding of the orcs might be a good choice

[mulzrule.livejournal.com]

That always makes me laugh. I believe Tolkein was Christian and I tend to find more Catholic related themes throughout his work. Maybe some passages about Mordor? Sauron? The creation of The Ring? I read these books every other year you'd think I'd have more to offer.

Lol at Bender. I only watched that series cuz I was bored but he always managed to amuse me. Kinda like Stewy. ;P

[hierath.livejournal.com]

Tolkein was a devout Catholic. But I can't think what would make LOTR ban-able. Maybe the unspoken homosexual love between Frodo and Sam... ;)

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Yeah I know. Then again to the groups banning the book catholics are just as unwanted as elves and magic.

snort, yes well that is a possibility

[mulzrule.livejournal.com]

Big fat LOL!!!! Fanfiction never ceases to amaze me.

[ishte.livejournal.com]

Hahahahah! You don't actually read that into their friendship do you? I know a lot of people do but I just find it so laughable. Sam clearly adores Frodo, but to me it's also so obviously platonic based on a deep fondness between a wealthy master and his loyal servant, that is proven over time to be so much more than that in mutual respect and friendship.

I find the concept of a GimliXLegolas sexual thing equally laughable if it makes you feel any better.

[hierath.livejournal.com]

Nah, I'm kidding, but I know some people who do have a thing for hobbitslash ;)

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah Tolkein was. Some people can find idiocy whereever they look

[mulzrule.livejournal.com]

*nods* Amen sister. Reminds me of when there was talk of putting ratings on modern books. *head/desk*

[ishte.livejournal.com]

I'd guess the issue has to do with the fact that the anti-god figure of Sauron was a non-god technically, who made himself into a god figure, and that instead of having a Jebuz is rizzen! figure go up against this great power, and instead what is demonstrated is how the determination of two little mortals with the help a little third nutball can accomplish such a task against the great God Eyeball man. See?

Also, objectionable would probably be the symbolism of Gandalf the Grey doing the whole Jebuz is Rizzen act and returning from apparent Deadification as Gandalf the White. (and then perhaps not carrying through that whole Jebuz act and raining down hellfire and damnation upon the great God Eyeball man. with his all powerful returning from the deadness.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

i also figured the whole idea of one ring controlling all of mankind

then again judging based on Harry Potter, the merest mention of magic is enough to do it

[ishte.livejournal.com]

Well... or magic without the Jebuz anyway. Never mind Yshua bin Yosef was a high level kabbalistic magician himself. Never mind that he told his own followers that they could do the same things if they just had some faith in themselves and then got mad when they couldn't do it without his help. *rolls eyes*