July 10, 2002

New Topic: Which Two Towers??
Marsh

Something has been on my mind for quite some time that I have not seen discussed here. The title of the 3rd and 4th books is The Two Towers, but which Two Towers are Tolkien referring to? I know in The Two Towers trailer the white rider states "...there is a union now between two towers, Orthanc and Barad-dur..." I know that statement will help the moviegoers follow along better, but, frankly, I don't buy it.

I think we all know that there are quite a few towers (Minas Tirith, Minas Ithil, etc.) mentioned in these books. To me the only thing that I found that makes sense is in Book 4, Chapter 3. A nice description of the two towers on either side of the black gate Morannon, "two sheer hills, black-boned and bare. Upon them stood the Teeth of Mordor, two towers strong and tall". Is this possibly what Tolkien meant by the title?

Maybe everyone knows the answer to this but me. Just curious... :c)-~