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The interesting thing about the Pazyryks to me was the meaning behind tattoos and flesh. “The skin represents the interface between the self and the world, and tattoos upon it serve to bring into consciousness images and ideas that are culturally or personally important.” (188) I think that tattoos would have such a strong place in the mindset of people for many reasons. One being the process of having this mark on their body and the symbolism of getting one within their community. “If this was the case then as the horses themselves marked significant events in the humans' lives, the horses' own deaths would be inscribed upon their humans' bodies.” (189) It seems that horses played such a massive role in their lives if they would have such respect for these creatures. This reminds me of dogs to a lesser extent that we might relate to now. We have such strong bonds with these animals and I can see people generating stronger bonds to animals they would have worked with for large amounts of time.

In other stories and depictions in media dragons are powerful and terrifying creatures. The depiction and culture behind the dragons in The Farthest Shore fit these ideas and possible inspired other authors as well. The initial look at the dragons is explained when Arren watches them in the sky. “Their beauty was made up of terrible strength, utter wildness, and the grace of reason. For these were thinking creatures, with speech and ancient wisdom:…” (222) Not only are they intelligent but they are likely unfriendly to people sailing to them as they are angry and showing their impressive ability to breathe fire as they are circling around them. Brutality within their culture can also be seen with the dying dragon that is sailed by. The entrails being trampled by other dragons is one indication of this. Respect and courtesy are also an important thing to the dragons as it is said how difficult it is to speak to a dragon. Both out of respect but also as it is said how the dragons have a lot going through their minds which would make it difficult to get a clear answer from one as well as not wanting to offend one.

The article about these people was interesting with the emphasis and capitalization of death. “The graves themselves are part of the effort made by Ur’s rulers to establish the legitimacy of their governance by demonstrating their sacred, holy and non-ordinary status.” (124, Dickson) It is also said that the leadership potentially used this ritualistic sacrifice and death to almost terrorize the people. This type of fear tactic made me think of the control and power the people in the Kargish lands had on the children. They did not have a lot of freedom and instead found fishing people the most exciting thing growing up. This is not the worst existence, but they could still be treated much better. “ The best thing that could happen was to be allowed to go fishing in the murky green river that flowed through the desert a half mile northeast of the place;” (18-19, Le Guin) The reverence that is generally seen in the Kargish lands also helps with the idea that the children and people would be apt to follow these rituals.

In the Kargish lands we get to see some more interesting details regarding the people and ideals. When it talks about the precinct of one of the most sacred places within the empire, I would have thought the place was more impressive based on its description. “It looked like a little town seen from a distance, from up on the dry hills westward where nothing grew but sage, wire grass in the straggling clumps, small weeds, and desert herbs.” (20) This very next part then talks about the golden roof of the Temple of the Twin Gods in the east. The scenery would show that there is not as much constriction as I would have thought to this important place. Reverence and the importance of culture may be important to the people in this first introduction. Another past piece of cultural history I saw was in Chapter 3. “You know little one, before our four lands joined together into an empire, before there was a Godking over us all, their was a lot of less kings, princes, and chiefs.” (35) There was fighting before and now there is this system to help with stability and order within the empire.

The article really made me think about the laundry list of gifts that were apparently in the book. “Upon leaving each place, we should note, Ged has not only changed in attitude and acquired wisdom; he also leaves with different gifts. Although the respective gifts do not exactly match his spiritual and emotional gains, they clearly function as signs of renewal and engagement with others and serve to chart the stages of Ged's develop.” (107) This was then proceeded by a myriad of cases that were in the book where gifts were given. Part of what gives the gifts some type of power in my opinion is the basic idea of these being valuable that they are giving out. Another note that the author makes is the spirit of the gift. This goes hand in hand and the level of gift given would have a impact on the spirit of the gift. When a gift is given between friends this would have less of a debt aspect to it as this can be a solely altruistic thing. When a stranger gives a gift, they may have ulterior motives to have something on someone. This is when you would see a debt element with gift giving.

I thought this article was more eye opening to how prominent slavery and influential this practice was at the time. "They also reveal variability in raiding practices by indicating that some raiders targeted certain demographic groups –namely women and children, for captivity, as was the case during attacks on Étar in 821 and Seville, Spain, in 844.” (Raffield 686) This portion first got me thinking about using these women and children to an effort to have more slaves and young ones. They would be able to have generations of labor as their disposal. Something that would have been beneficial to the Vikings as everything they would be doing would be labor intensive. This basic idea is probably seen with the Kargish raiders as well. They have the potential to subjugate a group and gain quite a bit in a logistical and economic sense. The market of slaves also being a very large component of this article. Evidence can be seen with chains and other tools to keep these slaves trapped which the raiders would likely have as well.

One of things that most stood out to me was the quick jump into discussing combat and armaments. War and fighting is never discussed in hobbit culture and was not seen in the Shire. You would have not been seen as a respectable hobbit to some if you did discuss this. This is different with war and invasion being seen at the start. “ They were armored with bronze helmets and greaves and breastplates of heavy leather and shields of wood and bronze, and armed with swords and the long Kargish lance.” (9) Another aspect of hard labor can be seen with the people of Earthsea and the hobbits. The hobbits do prefer the comforts of home but they are an agricultural people. They work hard and both group can be seen to do this. “ He had worked all night at the forgebellows, pushing and pulling the two long sleeves of goathide that fed the fire with a blast of sir. Now his arms so ached and trembled from that work that he could not hold out the spear he had chosen “ (9) 

One of the first things that I saw that may have had some influence in the writing was Denethor later learning of the death of Boromir. “Tolkien was in reserves on the day of the opening battle, but one of his best friends, Rob Gilson, was killed in the first wave (though Tolkien would not learn of his death until some weeks later).” (Livinston, 80) He may have had some influence in this regard. Another general influence was the violence of the trenches. “Then, on 14 July, Tolkien and his company were called into action and he saw for himself the results of what he would later call “the ‘animal horror’ of trench warfare” (Livinston, 80) The savagery of the orcs is one thing that comes to mind with them lusting in the carnage. Especially with the orcs attacking the people of Rohan and the small forces in Osgiliath.

On the surface of the waters, I see the ominous and potential dangers of the waters. “It was dreary and wearisome. Cold clammy winter still held sway in this forsaken country. The only green was the scum of livid weed in the dark greasy surfaces of the sullen waters. Dead grasses and rotting weeds loomed up in the mists like ragged shadows of long-forgotten summers.” (Page 612) This gives me the imagery of a potential disaster that can occur here. This marsh is a place of death and is a very dangerous place. This reminds me of the dangers of the Mariana Trench of sorts. It is still unknown to this day exactly what is found down there. Although we learn of the old dead elves, men, and orcs in the water we don’t know exactly the extend of the draw these dead have to the hobbits. Both of these places offer certain doom as well with the fixation of the marshes and not being able to survive the pressure and potentially creatures of the trench.

The Hume text talks about what a hall would mean to Beowulf. “In a world picture where the hall signifies order, social pleasure and security, that which is outside will naturally be an opposite. When strife is not the enemy of hall-life in a specific poetic context, storm often is, whether literally as wind, rain, snow, hail thunder, cold, and darkness or figuratively as metaphor for battle.” (Hume, 66-67) These halls were offering protection in a literal sense from the elements and from enemy when it would be present. I think that this is seen in Rohan as well when it is first presented. Legolas first describes it as “Within there rise the roofs of houses; and in the midst, set upon a green terrace, there stands aloft a great hall of men. And it seems to my eyes that it is thatched with gold.” (The Two Tower, 495-496) This hall in Rohan shows its commanding presence from its walls and surrounding buildings. Rohan has a golden thatched roof to protect form the element. This roof and walls of the hall separate both of these settings from the elements. This offers security as well and its exterior power is shown. There is a difference here with the inside of Edoras being referenced as dark and warm. Potentially showing the leechcraft and manipulation of Grima here.

I really enjoyed the entering of the Golden Hall and the interactions from the different people here. Legolas talks about his weaponry and gives it without much hesitation. He seemed pretty trusting here and yet the guards were scared. ““No man will touch them, I promise you,” he said.” (499)  Aragorn on the other hand is much more apprehensive about handing his sword over. Hama also was very quick to wanting to show his allegiance to his master. “His sword was now in his hand and the point towards the stranger.” (499) Gimli being a dwarf is very protective over Aragorn and was very quick to defend him. The bond between Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn is already seemingly so strong as this point in the story which is cool. The guards did still have apprehension regarding Gandalf’s staff but you can see Gandalf’s wit to still walk in with in.

The Hobbits and human both get their initial impression of Weathertop with Aragorn introducing it. “It had a conical top, slightly flattened at the summit.” (179) I would imagine the hobbits seeing this as a very large and intimidating monument with it being described as a summit. This must have been even more seen when its described as having a commanding view of the landscape. The hobbits must have thought this was a unique landscape not only because of the size but also the hobbits for the most part lived in a flat area. They would not have experienced a place like this before. Men on the other hand would probably have less of a new experience based on where they would likely live being either Bree, Rohan, or Gondor. Men also may see this place as a place of reverence and remembrance. “But long before, in the first days of the North Kingdom, they build a great watch-tower on Weathertop, Amon Sul they called it.” (181) Hobbits would most likely not known about this history before Aragorn explained it to them.

One of the first things that I thought of when reading the Howard piece was the idea of giving the artifacts the ability to see. “For sixth- and early seventh-century southern and eastern England, a wide selection of dress accessories and some weapons are adorned with animal art but further artefact categories are adorned with humanoid or monstrous faces, staring out at the viewer.” (Howard 103-104) In a way the ominous nature of watching can be seen with the feel of the Barrow Downs but mainly made me think of the glowing eyes of the wight that was described. Another connection to the artifacts and the atmosphere is the notion of the artifacts being able to transfer knowledge and manipulation of the mind. Another connection of the artifacts with this next quote. “Other princely graves of the late sixth and early seventh-century represent a horizon of elite expression in which weapons, armour, horse-riding gear and feasting gear were buried, much of it adorned with Style II animal art.” (Howard 116) Tom scattering and picking up all the remaining artifacts in the Barrows would be scene if the Barrow was one of these heavily decorated graves. The Sheer amount of artifacts left reminding me of Tom.

Frodo experiencing the Barrow Downs really stuck out to me from chapter 8. “Then a grip stronger and colder than iron seized him. The icy ouch froze his bones, and he remembered no more.” (136-137) This starting quote from the big encounter with the wight is already a pretty vivid picture. The icy touch in particular here. The idea of him not remembering can also be a literal part of Frodo being almost knocked out and not remembering but also a magical element where the evil presence is effecting his mind almost. The fear that he experiences also fosters resilience here where he has a seed of hope inside of him still. The desperate situation finally being resolved by Tom shows a taste of his apparent power. “There was a loud rumbling sounds, as if stones rolling and falling, suddenly light streamed in, real light, the plain light of day.” (139) Tom rends open the top of the barrow shedding light in. Finally this stops the wight. The horrors of the Barrows further lingering in Frodo when he is taking his friends out. “As Frodo left the barrow for the last time he thought he saw a severed hand wriggling still, like a wounded spider, in a heap of fallen earth.” (139) He very well may have seen this movement. Either situation is scary from Frodo being moved by this encounter or a remnant of the barrow still being present. 

This reading reminded me of the Salem witch trials. This taking place in Massachusetts in 1692-1693. This involved the accusing of many women of being witches along with the hanging, killing, and other punishments to the accuse girls. The idea of the “magic” that the witches would do was what evoked these thoughts when I was thinking of the fragmented children’s skulls from the reading. I picture these hangings or burnings of these girls as offerings of sorts to protect their town and possible seen as an offering to townsfolk.

I wanted to discuss how important the king under the mountain is to Lake Town. Once they find out about the lineage of the dwarves the change in the demeanor and welcoming is so dramatic. “Even Bilbo was given a seat at the high table, and no explanation where he came in.” (179) Him being in the mere company of the dwarves made him important to the people and they treated him life the dwarves. “They were all doctored and fed and housed and pampered in the most delightful and satisfactory fashion.” (179) Immediately they were given housing and treated lavishly from all of their traveling. The master of Lake Town however had more of a hidden agenda and did not enjoy the standstill and cost of providing for the dwarves. The more power seeking and controlling nature being seen by the end of the chapter.