Faramir

[Eyalan]

In the second book of Lord of the Rings, Faramir was introduced. It took many pages to complete his character description, a weird contradiction to what Tolkien said: "I am sure I did not invent him, I did not even want him, though I like him."
Faramir seemed as much surprise to him as for the readers. I wonder what triggered Tolkien to make Faramir happen in the first place. Any ideas?

[Miluiel Greenleaf]

Perhaps he had experienced a similar occurence in his life and he created Faramir like it?

[Eyalan]

Yes, Faramir was absolutely much like himself.

[Miluiel Greenleaf]

Really?!? I was guessing. I had no idea that they shared ANY similarities! LOL!

[Eyalan]

In fact, they had very much in common! He quoted himself a lot. Like hat one thing Faramir said, it was something like; I don't like war, but I like the thing that soldiers defend... That was not the exact quote, but truly Tolkien's own thought about war.
Faramir sort of 'happened' in the story. He just got carried away in his own story I guess and needed some character to state his own view on the whole.

[Miluiel Greenleaf]

Now that you say that, yeah, they did share a lot of similarites.

[Elnimara]

I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.

One of my favourite quotes (along with every other quote in the book). It's a great bit of wisdom, war isn't just about crushing your opponent (or shouldn't be), but rather to protect whatever. Ye go to war so there can be peace, ye know? Although it would be a heck of a lot easier if people just wouldn't attack in the first place.

Another unique and cool thing about Faramir is that he didn't want the Ring, he didn't want power at all. Maybe he 'happened' to show that the Ring had power over those only who actually wanted power. That's why it didn't effect little peace-loving Hobbits as much as everyone else too.

Also, if he wasn't there, what would Éowyn have done?

[Eyalan]

Yes that's the quote I ment! Good question though about Eowyn... what would she have done? Probable be devistated (sp?) and committed suïcide?

[Elnimara]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Before she and Faramir became close, she was definitely heading downhill, very depressed. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if suicide had been her course of action, though it would sadden me..

[Miluiel Greenleaf]

Yeah, that woudln't have been good.

[Haldir]

I really like Faramir ... he really helped Eowyn and he's a very kind person.

[Eyalan]

And he helped Frodo as well... I think without Faramir there wouldn't be no victory!

[Telpeath]

eyalan said:

In the second book of Lord of the Rings, Faramir was introduced. It took many pages to complete his character description, a weird contradiction to what Tolkien said: "I am sure I did not invent him, I did not even want him, though I like him."
Faramir seemed as much surprise to him as for the readers. I wonder what triggered Tolkien to make Faramir happen in the first place. Any ideas?

Well I read somewhere that Tolkien had no idea he added him, but he soon became a really big charactor! He said something lile "I too was suprised about Faramirs appearance but I soon because to love the charactor. In fact, I think I most resemble him". This was interesting!

[Eyalan]

Yes, how could he be surprised by a character if he was the writer himself?

[Luthien]

I've written stories before, and sometimes people just show up- sometimes you have to struggle and think what to write, and other times the story sort of tells itself.