August 25, 2004

Re: Annatar
Danny

Of course the Wraith used the arrival of the Rohirim as his excuse to wimp out on facing Gandalf. Five wraiths assaulted him at Weathertop when he was Gandalf the Grey. It is likely that the Witch King was there at that time, and they failed to subdue Gandalf. Granted Gandalf the Grey fled, but he survived. A far stronger Gandalf the White drove several wraiths from Faramir's retreat in a brief instant. So it is logical to conclude that his strength was far greater, and not unrealistic to beleive that he was second only to Sauron. Tolkien leaves that to be decided by the reader. Gandalf says that there are some powers against which he has not been tested, and Tolkien leaves the test unrun between Gandalf and the Witch King. So each reader can decide for himself who would have won in an uninterrupted confrontation. For my money, I would say Gandalf. After all regardless of reason Gandalf remained and the Witch King retreated.

I agree with you that in Tolkien's world of the story staves are arguably just a symbol. I feel that it is symbolic, but it also does seem that breaking a staff through powers of wizardry is a symbol of superior power. My concern is more with what it will do in the movies. In the movies it has been taken with an interpetation that staves are very important. The conflict in FOTR between Gandalf and Saruman shows that. Follow that with Gandalf splitting his stave being added in the EE and you will really have that idea driven into the viewer's mind. So then if Gandalf has his staff broken by the wraith it will portray something far worse than it might have indicated had Tolkien written it.

I am trying to get ready for that in case it is added in the EE. I don't think I will ever like it if they do it, but I will try not to hate that change.