 “‘Saruman, your staff is broken.’ There was a crack, and the staff split asunder in Saruman’s hand, and the head of it fell down at Gandalf’s feet…” |
The Voice of Saruman
I’m sorry, but I wouldn’t leave Saruman like that. I’m not necessarily saying kill him, but kick his butt out of Orthanc!
I know I said the same thing about Gollum back in the Hobbit–Bilbo should’ve put him out of his misery! I know, I know… if Bilbo’s possesion of the Ring hadn’t begun with pity for Gollum, sparing his life, then things may have gone much worse for Bilbo… but, come on, things have gone pretty bad anyway, purely because Gollum was left alive to inform Sauron of the Rings existence.
Gandalf should turn Saruman into a toad or something… just for safe keeping, to keep him from causing any more mischief.
Also, it’s one thing for Gandalf/Tolkien to say Saurman’s decision not to “come down” came within “the balance of a hair.” It’s another thing to make his “coming down” believable. I think those of you who have read the whole story will know better than me that for the sake of the story, it really doesn’t work for Saruman to choose to mend his ways and help their cause. That’s my guess anyway. If the abandoned Noldor can forgive the sons of Fëanor after they endured the Helcaraxe, then maybe Saruman could have chosen to do otherwise, but it simply doesn’t come across as realistic.
And, besides, if I were an Ent, the last thing I’d want to do is keep an eye on Saruman outside Orthanc–let me return to my trees!
Finally, just what was was that ball?
till next time, keep thinking,
Mark-Edmond Howell
Kanazawa Japan
