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There was a deep silence, only scraped on its surfaces by the faint quiver of empty seed-plumes, and broken grass-blades trembling in small air-movements they could not feel. 'Not a bird!' said Sam mournfully. 'No, no birds,' said Gollum. 'Nice birds!' He licked his teeth. 'No birds here. There are snakeses, wormses, things in the pools. Lots of things, lots of nasty things. No birds,' he ended sadly. Sam looked at him with distaste.
J. R. R. Tolkien
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects the absence of life and the unease of desolation in a once vibrant place. It captures a sense of mourning for what is lost in nature.

In this passage from J. R. R. Tolkien, the deep silence and the description of forlorn elements of nature highlight a profound absence of life, symbolized by the lack of birds and the presence of unsettling creatures. Sam's mournfulness contrasts with Gollum's strange acceptance of this stark reality, evoking themes of loss, the harshness of nature, and a longing for the beauty that once existed. The imagery conveys a sense of bleakness and the quiet but significant impact that the environment has on emotions.

Themes

SilenceNatureLossBirdsGollumTolkienDesolation

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a discussion about the impact of environmental changes on wildlife.

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What did I tell you, Mr. Pippin?' said Sam, sheathing his sword. 'Wolves won't get him. That was an eye-opener, and no mistake! Nearly singed the hair off my head!
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Under the Mountain dark and tall The King has come unto his hall! His foe is dead, the Worm of Dread, And ever so his foes shall fall. The sword is sharp, the spear is long, The arrow swift, the Gate is strong; The heart is bold that looks on gold; The dwarves no more shall suffer wrong. The dwarves of yore made mighty spells, While hammers fells like ringing bells In places deep, where dark things sleep, In hollow halls beneath the fells. -from The Hobbit (Dwarves Battle Song)
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The chief purpose of life, for any of us, is to increase according to our capacity our knowledge of God by all means we have, and to be moved by it to praise and thanks.
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Alive without breath, As cold as death; Never thirsty, ever drinking, All in mail never clinking.
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