LotR - book discussion project

[Raynor]

I would like to propose a book discussion project of the Lord of the Rings book; in this organisational thread, people could sign up for presenting a chapter they like, under the following guidelines:

- discussions should reffer to the book and _not_ the movies;

- each chapter introduction should reffer to: main events, newly introduced characters and major plot points

- what one most liked about the chapter, what were the funny /interesting /scarry /magical scenes;

- "what ifs", criticism, dislikes;

- questions/comments for discussions.

I think it would be a good idea to announce what chapter you would like to comment on, in order to avoid interesting discussions. So, what are you waiting for?

[Marky Lazer]

I like this idea, give it a week and I'll join in...

[Raynor]

Marky, what chapter do you have in mind?

[Shoegaze99]

Instead of "proposing a discussion," why don't you, oh, I don't know, start a discussion? Better to express your opinion on a topic you'd like to talk about and see if people engage you than to proclaim, "I hereby propose a discussion to be conducted under the following rules," don't you think? Giving people on a message board what is essentially an 'assignment' based around some arbitrary rules seems more like homework than discourse to me.

Just a friendly observation.

[HieroGlyph]

Possibly...

I dont think I'd be up for a 'chapter' discussion.

I'll freely post about specific points. But a group discussion doesnt seem a very good idea in this forum medium. Especially going by how the Istari debate turned out (is turning out... poor Kelpie was volunteered into it and left alone ).

So Shoe has a point, there. No set homework. Free to come and go. Not everyone thrives upon and under pressure... (Woe be to that accurs'd manager!)

[Raynor]

Better to express your opinion on a topic you'd like to talk about and see if people engage you than to proclaim, "I hereby propose a discussion to be conducted under the following rules," don't you think?

I agree, it could have been easier to just throw in a random chapter discussion. Yet I thought that this "model" is improvable by comments from other members, and if guidelines are at hand, a discussion can be greatly enhanced.

Giving people on a message board what is essentially an 'assignment' based around some arbitrary rules seems more like homework than discourse to me.

Guidelines is not the same as arbitrary rules (and I take ofense in your label ); people could take them into consideration or not, it is up to them how they start threads.

But a group discussion doesnt seem a very good idea in this forum medium.

All Tolkien dedicated forums (that I know of) have a similar approach - though I agree it is not something necessary. We'll just have to find out what is best suited here .

[Teresa Edgerton]

The approach that seems to be the best suited to these forums at the present (which is not to say that it won't ever change, or that it can't be gradually modified a little bit at a time) is for someone to ask a question or a series of questions (like: What is your favorite chapter in LOTR? What do you like best about it? Where do you think it could have been better?) and then step back and wait for people to answer.

If the questions are artfully phrased, you can direct the discussion without making rules. (For instance, when you ask about a favorite chapter, you don't really have to tell people to discuss the book instead of the movie, as you would if you had asked about a favorite scene.)

And if people wander too far from the topic of the thread, moderators are always on hand to nudge them back in the right direction.

It's a more diverse crowd here than in places like CoE or TORN or Ringbearer, and people with all different levels of interest in Tolkien may want to take part.

[Treikayan]

This seems interesting. I have a favorite chapter in Fellowship, but I'll wait 'til all the thread rules are defined.

[cornelius]

I might take a look around in this forum, but I probably won't be posting in it a lot.

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by Treikayan

This seems interesting. I have a favorite chapter in Fellowship, but I'll wait 'til all the thread rules are defined.

Well, as I said, they are just guidelines - if you find them helpful in making a thread, good - otherwise, good just the same hehe.

So, what chapter do you have in mind? I intend on presenting on monday the first chapter - unless it was your (or Marky's) choice too .

[Treikayan]

Originally Posted by Raynor

Well, as I said, they are just guidelines - if you find them helpful in making a thread, good - otherwise, good just the same hehe.

So, what chapter do you have in mind? I intend on presenting on monday the first chapter - unless it was your (or Marky's) choice too .

"'Ah, the Ring,' said Boromir, eyes lighting. 'The Ring! Is it not a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt for such a small thing? So small a thing! And I have seen it only for an instant in the House of Elrond. Could I have sight of it again?"

Frodo looked up. His heart went suddenly cold. He caught the strange gleam in Boromir's eyes, yet his face was still kind and friendly. 'It is best that it should remain hidden,' he answered.

'As you wish, I care not,' said Boromir"

I always enjoyed the end of the book with Boromir's temptation of the Ring and his sin, trying to take it from Frodo and get him to go to Minas Tirith, how he admits his "sin," and later "redeems" his worth in the battle against the Orcs (Two Towers). I've always enjoyed the character of Boromir, simply because man is fallible and tested with various temptations (especially for Christians). Boromir teaches us that through his sin, he had to pay for it, and in the end, he still was a conqueror. Love this character the most!