z In sum, we might say that Joyce’s early work is erudite, his middle
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GHOLQHDWHDVSHFWUXPRIOHDUQHGQHVVDQGGLI¿FXOW\The Lord of the Rings
z One of the minor characters from J. R. R. Tolkien’s fantasy trilogy
The Lord of the Rings is Grima, also known as Wormtongue. This
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and lickspittle to King Theoden of Rohan, once a proud and noble
ruler of his people. But Wormtongue’s wicked counsel and false
blandishments poisoned the king’s mind and soul, convincing
Theoden that he was a feeble old man who should stay shut up in
his great hall and let others lead the kingdom.
z We learn that Wormtongue is actually a secret agent of the evil
wizard Saruman. Even as he’s trying to weaken King Theoden
and Rohan from the inside, he’s feeding his true master, Saruman,
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beautiful niece of King Theoden.z At one point, in a scene in the great hall, Wormtongue is exposed
for the malefactor and sycophant that he truly is. Knowing that
he’s trapped, he professes loyalty to King Theoden. Theoden tests
Wormtongue with the ultimate choice: “To ride with me to war, and
let us see in battle whether you are true; or to go now, whither you
will. But then, if ever we meet again, I shall not be merciful.”z True to his nature, Wormtongue spits at the king’s feet with “hissing
EUHDWK ́DQGLVDOORZHGWRÀHHEDFNWRKLVPDVWHU6DUXPDQAll Creatures Great and Small
z All Creatures Great and Small, which was published in the United
States in 1972, describes the life of James Herriot, a country
veterinarian in the wild and beautiful Yorkshire Dales of England.
The stories—heartwarming and humorous slices of life—are
chock-full of colorful characters, including the brothers Siegfried