8 Comments

Yes! I kept thinking "What a way to make a first impression!" First impressions are important not only in reality but in fiction too. When we are introduced to characters for the first time in literature, that first impression is hard to bypass later, like if the character is first unlikable but has good character development. But, I also think of an interaction I recently had. I met a friend's-friend for the first time and she said some pretty off-the-wall comments to us which were very uncalled for, especially in our first meeting. Therefore, I can see how Merry and Pippin probably felt during this.

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Hi Mariah! One thing I thought about Treebeard when reading the novel is "Dang this dude is kind of sassy." I definitely found this article entertaining and love that you chose this topic! I felt really bad for Merry and Pippin in this part of the story. I was definitely able to sympathize with them.

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As a first time reader (and not seeing the movies) I had the same kind of shock at this initial introduction to Treebeard. The concept of Treebeard's age is one thing we have hit on in class and I feel is crucial to understanding this interaction. However, even with the brief understanding it is a bit rash still (even for a tree).

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As Dr. Halbrooks noted in class, Treebeard is a profound example of Tolkien's evocation of deep time! The notion that Treebeard has been around since the beginning of likely the First Age (there is still some speculation on that) is an example of how Tolkien (pun intended) establishes deep roots in the past to make a commentary in the present.

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This is a really relatable post! I also had the initial "wow, what a way to get to know somebody" thought after Treebeard's opening statements to the hobbits. What this whole chapter reminded me of was the generational tropes that we often see in real life today, especially between the generation of us 25 year old and those of our grandparents and great-grandparents. Holidays can be dangerous because those older generations will share any and all impressions unbidden and with minimal (if any) regard for how they fall on the ears of those of us growing up in the present and without much experience from the previous century. I think this is also similar to the nervewracking aspects of introducing someone new to older relations, whether a friend or significant other, because they are so willing to share their own impressions and make unnecessary comments, regardless and unaware of the first impression this gives others of themselves. Anyway, great post, and I'm glad you point out the differences in the old (Ents) and new (hobbits) and how this first interaction might leave something to be desired in terms of relationship development.

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Your post, to me, fits beautifully in the broad portrait of “other-ness” that Tolkien is crafting. That the hobbits are left out by Treebeard in his song - Treebeard is for sure “Treebearding,” or other-ing as a creature on the fringes of society - one “other” struggles with another “other” (there’s a tongue twister for you). It’s just fascinating to watch an ancient creature like Treebeard interact with the Hobbits, a more modernly-associated species. Great post!

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Thanks for the shoutout, Mariah! And thanks for such a fantastic post. I'm always amazed by how you use this space to talk about both the text and something modern--in this case, how we see Treebeard (and the text) through a modern lens and also your frontal lobe being developed now that you're 25 (love that for you). I like your reading of the moment, and I think Treebeard, in all his ancient life experience, shows us that *everyone* has a bad first impression of hobbits because hobbits have kept to themselves in holes in the ground. But Treebeard also gives us a glimpse into acceptance: once he learns about the hobbits, he's happy to help them and add them to his little song about remembering all the creatures inhabiting Middle Earth. Sometimes, first impressions are just wrong (as we all know anyway from our own life experiences but also from seeing the hobbits firsthand in this text).

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Hello Mariah, I found Treebeard interesting as well. His name suits him as well. While reading Lord of The Rings we have been introduced to many interesting characters with some odd names. Treebeard also was intriguing not only in his first encounter with Merry and Pippin but also in how he seems to have his on names for things like when they are talking about the hill and he calls it something else.

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