“Good literature substitutes for experience which we have not ourselves lived
through.” – Alexander Solzhenitsyn. I think that the speaker means that literature can give us the experience of something that we have not yet done. Our lives may be incomplete in some ways, but literature can help fill those holes. You don't' need to have lived through something to experience it.
This quote relates to the book I'm reading because of Merry and Pippin. These two halflings want to be on the adventure that Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli are on, but they are of restricted of that privilege. Meanwhile they are in the woods with Treebeard, instead of with their true friends.

Four Songs

The first song that I would choose is the "Rocky" theme song. This plays along with the story because Merry and Pippin are desperately trying to escape from the orcs, and they eventually are victorious. Also, (One for the ladies) would be Don't Trust Me by 3oh!3. I would choose this song because there are a few double crosses in the book. One more song that relates is "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" by Dropkick Murphys. This relates because Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli are heading North to battle in the story. The last song that I choose is "Crazy on You" by Heart. It resembles Golum being crazy about Frodo and Sam. He is pretty much a stalker.

“Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.” - C. S. Lewis
In this quote, I think the C.S Lewis means that literature enlightens our lives. If there was no books and literature, life wouldn't be interesting. It adds to life in general, and makes everything richer. This reminds me of Mary and Pipan in my book. They are struggled alone with only the orcs guarding them, but they rely on old tales and songs to keep them occupied and their life a little better.

Uruk-Hai

In case you don't know what an Uruk-Hai looks like, here is one for your enjoyment.

Feelings on the Book

I am completely happy with the book so far. It is a very exciting read, a real page-turner. The print is very small, and the chapters are long, but I don't really have a problem with that because it is such an interesting book. Now, some of you may be wondering why I haven't made any posts about Frodo, Sam, or Golum yet. This is simply because they haven't come into play. These characters may be "the most important" in the book, but nothing has happened with them yet. So far it is just about Merry and Pipan's trek for survival. The book can be sort of confusing, because the chapters don't overlap. For example something that they talk about in chapter two may be told about completely in chapter 5. This is an interesting way to tell, but I like it. I feel that it reminds me of everything that is going on.

Chapter 3: The Uruk-Hai

In this chapter, it basically tells the story of Merry and Pipan travelling with the orcs and Uruk-Hai. The two halflings are close to dying, and they are extremely worn out because of their rough and painful journey with these grotesque and horrid creatures. At the end of this chapter, Merry an Pipan make their escape from the orcs and they run off into the woods, leaving a few clues for the others to help find them. This chapter made me think of the movie "Escape from Azkaban." I thought of this because Merry and Pipan have to pull some trickery, and in the end make their escape, all the while under heavy security and survellance just like what happened in "Escape from Azkaban."

Chapter 2 Vocabulary

Leagues- Various units of distances, about 3 or 4 miles

Cress- A plant, related to the mustard and often used in salads

Brooch- Pin or clasp worn on clothing

Contrive- To form or make in a skillful or clever way

Chapter 2: The Riders of Rohan

In this chapter, Legolas Gimli and Aragorn continue their quest. They meet up with "the riders of Rohan on their way. The riders tell them various things that they have come across, none of which included their friends, the Hobbits. As a token of gratitude from the riders, they give two of their horses to Aragorn and Legolas. While they settle in to rest later that day, they see the shadow of an old man deep in the woods. They soon realize that the horses that were given to them have left. This reminds me of a cat and mouse chase in real life. That is what I think about while reading, because Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli can't seem to catch up to the halflings no matter what they do.

Chapter 1 Vocabulary

Cairn- A heap of stones set up as a landmark or monument

Damasked- Covered in or decorated

Scimitar- A curved, single edged sword used in Oriental times

Vigilance- Doing something in a watchful or careful way

Chapter 1: The Departure of Boromir

Chapter one of The Two Towers picks up where the first book left off. Aragorn is in search of the hobbits. While on his journey, he hears the horn of Boromir, signaling for help. Boromir had been attacked by the orcs. Speaking his last words, Boromir says that the orcs have taken his people, as well as the hobbits. He believes that they are not dead, just held hostage. He sends Aragorn off to save them. While resting, Aragorn meets up with Legolas and Gimli. They plan out their strategy, bury Boromir, and then quickly set off to find their friends, the hobbits.

A Challenge

This book should be quite a challenge for me. Looking back at "The Fellowship of the Ring" (the first book), the second book in the series should be very confusing. This book is fiction, and includes many medieval names and places. Altogether it will be a challenging story.

Updates

I will be posting updates on every chapter as well as the vocabulary from each chapter.

The Book

The book that I have chosen is: The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers. It is the second story of a trilogy. I have read the first book already, and it was quite interesting. This should be an exciting read!

=D

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