First Time Readers

The Two Towers: Ch 1-3

Join Jon, Danny, Lizzy, and Jenn as they talk about the first three chapters of The Two Towers, how cool Eomer is, and the manliness of Aragorn.

He turned from the North back again to North, and saw nothing save the distant hills, unless it were that far away he could see again a great bird like an eagle high in the air, descending slowly in wide circles down towards the earth.

Q1 - What, if any, symbolism is there with the Eagles?

Q2 - Why does Aragorn always shout Elendil?

‘Farewell, Aragorn! Go to Minas Tirith and save my people! I have failed.’ ‘No!’ said Aragorn, taking his hand and kissing his brow. ‘You have conquered. Few have gained such a victory. Be at peace! Minas Tirith shall not fall!’ Boromir smiled. ‘Which way did they go? Was Frodo there?’ said Aragorn. But Boromir did not speak again.

Q3 - What do you think about Boromir’s passing?

Q4 - Is Aragorn making the right decision?

‘I think that the enemy brought his own enemy with him,’ answered Aragorn. ‘These are Northern Orcs from far away. Among the slain are none of the great Orcs with the strange badges. There was a quarrel, I guess: it is no uncommon thing with these foul folk. Maybe there was some dispute about the road.’

Q1 - What do you think their quarrel was about?

Q2 - These chapters keep mentioning this West Wind for Gondor…what is that about?

Q3 - How tense was this chapter with the chase…

Q4 - What is the deal with Saruman poisoning the land or their journey?

Gimli rose and planted his feet firmly apart: his hand gripped the handle of his axe, and his dark eyes flashed. ‘Give me your name, horse-master, and I will give you mine, and more besides,’ he said. ‘As for that,’ said the Rider, staring down at the Dwarf, ‘the stranger should declare himself first. Yet I am named E´omer son of E´omund, and am called the Third Marshal of Riddermark.’ ‘Then E´omer son of E´omund, Third Marshal of Riddermark, let Gimli the Dwarf Glo´in’s son warn you against foolish words. You speak evil of that which is fair beyond the reach of your thought, and only little wit can excuse you.’ E´omer’s eyes blazed, and the Men of Rohan murmured angrily, and closed in, advancing their spears. ‘I would cut off your head, beard and all, Master Dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground,’ said E´omer. ‘He stands not alone,’ said Legolas, bending his bow and fitting an arrow with hands that moved quicker than sight. ‘You would die before your stroke fell.’

Q5 - Don’t insult Galadriel around Gimli.

‘Halflings!’ laughed the Rider that stood beside E´omer. ‘Halflings! But they are only a little people in old songs and children’s tales out of the North. Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?’

Q6 - What do you think of Eomer and his disbelief that Hobbits are real?

Some years ago the Lord of the Black Land wished to purchase horses of us at great price, but we refused him, for he puts beasts to evil use. Then he sent plundering Orcs, and they carry off what they can, choosing always the black horses: few of these are now left. For that reason our feud with the Orcs is bitter.

Q7 - So the men of Rohan, have NOT been selling horses to Sauron?

He cut the thongs round Pippin’s legs and ankles, picked him up by his hair and stood him on his feet. Pippin fell down, and Uglu´k dragged him up by his hair again. Several Orcs laughed. Uglu´k thrust a flask between his teeth and poured some burning liquid down his throat: he felt a hot fierce glow flow through him. The pain in his legs and ankles vanished. He could stand.

Q1 - What is this stuff?

When he had forced a drink from his flask down the hobbit’s throat, cut his leg-bonds, and dragged him to his feet, Merry stood up, looking pale but grim and defiant, and very much alive. The gash in his forehead gave him no more trouble, but he bore a brown scar to the end of his days. ‘Hullo, Pippin!’ he said. ‘So you’ve come on this little expedition, too? Where do we get bed and breakfast?’

Q2 - Is Merry going crazy or is he just making Pippen laugh?

Q3 - There’s an arrow that hits Grishnuk that is guided by fate, the book suggests…what role does fate play in the story so far?