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   XPost: rec.arts.books.tolkien   
   From: sulsness@yahoo.com   
      
   On Mar 21, 1:40 am, "Andy.Cooke.1...@googlemail.com"  wrote:   
   > On Mar 2, 3:58 pm, Steuard Jensen  wrote:   
      
   snip   
      
   >   
   > Put in context that Gandalf, Elrond and the Wise _knew_ that it was   
   > impossible to deliberately destroy the Ring and that Boromir's stance   
   > that it was simply sending the Ring back to Sauron was correct (he   
   > just didn't see the subtle desperation), the fact that they were   
   > relying on the fact that only divine intervention at the right moment   
   > could save them - they were simply setting up the conditions where   
   > such divine intervention would be the most possible and symbolise   
   > their submission to its will.  This move was simply an extension of   
   > that.  It relied on divine intervention to save the day.   
      
   This is why I believe the scene at the Crack to be so   
   well written.   It's not clear what caused the normally   
   nimble footed Gollum to slip into the fire after seizing   
   the ring.   Clearly he was in position to seize the ring   
   because of the pity shown him by many in the West,   
   even while all had just cause to kill him.   
      
   Gandalf and Elrond claimed that the deed could be   
   accomplished by the weak more readily than by the   
   strong.   
      
   I believe it to be Smeagol's last influence, even if it   
   was inserting a hesitation or a doubt into Gollum   
    (who ultimately was stronger than Smeagol).   
      
   If Eru caused that bit of slip, why not just crush   
   Sauron and be done with it as he had sent the Valar   
   to crush Morgoth and as he had crushed   
   Numenor?   
      
   If, ultimately, the deed was done by Divine Intervention,   
   where then is the triumph of humility?   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)