CC BY
3
UDK 82-1
Khaydar-zade G.A.
Teacher of department "English and literature"
Bukhara State university Uzbekistan, Bukhara THE USAGE OF GREY AND WHITE COLOURS IN "THE LORD OF
THE RINGS" BY J.R.R.TOLKIEN
Annotation: the following article discusses the role of grey and white colours, used in "The Lord of the Rings ".
Key words: grey and white colours, purity, innocence, wisdom, humility
There are numerous interesting factors to be explored in J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece, "The Lord of the Rings". One of the most interesting factor which is considered to be explored is the usage of different color symbolism in his writing.
The 5 known Istari wizards in The Lord of the Rings all had different colours (Saruman the White, Gandalf the Gray, Radagast the Brown and two blue ones, with the later changes of Gandalf to white and Saruman to "many colors"). One of the positive colors of "The lord of the Rings" is Grey, which was associated with Gandalf.
The colour grey is associated as unemotional color. It is color of intellect, knowledge, and wisdom. From the psychological point of view it is considered as the color of compromise- being neither black nor white. Being the transition between two colors, it is pointed out to be detached, neutral, impartial, and indecisive colour. In the meaning of colors, gray is conservative, boring and depressing. The gray color is associated with the grey hair; it is regarded as solid and stable. This colour comes into contact with other colors, and has a great effect on them.
In order to understand, why exactly Gandalf was related to color Grey, we are going to learn his character. "Gandalf was shorter in stature than the other two; but his long white hair, his sweeping silver beard, and his broad shoulders, made him look like some wise king of ancient legend. In his aged face under great snowy brows his dark eyes were set like coals that could leap suddenly into fire." From this passage we can see that the appearance of the wizard denotes his wisdom, responsibility and loftiness. This is also associated with grey color.
Gandalf is a major character of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings". He was a protagonist in these works. Gandalf is a magic character, one of the last stunners of Middle-earth. Though, he looked like unprepossessing, grizzled, tall man with staff, all grey, in cloth and appearance, he was actually one of the mightiest wizards.
It is unbelievable, but the prototype of Gandalfs creation was the ordinary postage stamp, on which elderling with hat, feeding a deer was pictured. Several characters were combined in this personage: streak of Scandinavian god Odin, wise Prosperous, the hero of "King Arthur"- Merlin. Also, Gandalf embodied the Cristian character, presenting hope, what factually made him cultic personage.
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Gandalf differed with his mild temper, and liked Hobbits very much. He thought that this little nation would play a big role in history, and often came to help hobbits, especially during the hunger in long winter. Hobbits also liked and respected the wizard. And they appreciated him as a real miracle man. Especially children liked his fireworks. Gandalf tried to make them happy, what shows his amiability.
In "Hobbit" Gandalf played a role of ideological encourager, what shows his effect on others.[1] Exactly Gandalf reasoned Bilbo into going with gnomes for treasure hunting. At the beginning of their adventures gnomes did not like Bilbo, because instead of helping he always prohibited them. But wise wizard cooled gnomes down, because he believed in Bilbo and liked him. It shows kindness of his character:
In "Hobbit" Gandalf was called as Gandalf the Grey, what showed his less status in comparison with White, which he would get only in "The Lord of the Rings".
In all Tolkien's books Gandalf looked like as the most favourite personage of the author. Even his kind eyes and face can describe it. During all adventures, Gandalf could disappear when he wanted, and appeared in critical moments, as a saver without whom evil could win. Gandalf had a big inner force and wisdom.
Gandalf was one of the wizards, who came to Middle-earth in order to defend Sauron. Living in Middle-earth 2000 years, Gandalf loved and learnt to understand nations, especially Hobbits. Gandalf always protected Middle-earth from Sauron, who tried to control the Earth. [2] Gandalf also played a role of controller. Knowing that it was dangerous to stay in Shire, Gandalf asked Frodo to leave for Rivendell. After it, Gandalf met with Radagast the Brown , another of the Istari, who informed him about Nazguls searching for the ring and its owner. Gandalf decided to go to Saruman ,a head of Istari. That moment Gandalf saw the true colour of Saruman, who wanted the ring for his own use. Gandalf refused, and Saruman imprisoned him at the top of the tower. Eventually, Gandalf was saved by the Eagle.
After coming to Rivendell, Gandalf decided that the ring must be destroyed in fire where it was created. They organized "The Fellowship of the Ring "
There road was very dangerous, they met and fight with Orcs, Trolls of Moria. At the bridge of Khazad-dum, they met with fearsome Balrog. It was the monster, and nobody has ever escaped it.
It came to the edge of the fire and the light faded as if a cloud had bent over it. Then with a rush it leaped across the fissure. The flames roared up to greet it, and wreathed about it; and a black smoke swirled in the air. It's streaming mane kindled, and blazed behind it. In its right hand was a blade like a stabbing tongues of fire; in its left it held a whip of many thongs?
During the awful battle Gandalf broke the bridge, when Balrog was felling, it wrapped its whip around Gandalfs legs. So, he fell down with the Balrog. Two days and nights Gandalf the Gray fought with Balrog. Balrog was defeated and through down onto the mountainside. After the battle, Gandalf also died for a little
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time, while his spirit travelled "out of thought and time". There he showed himself as reliable individual, saving the lives of hobbits: Frodo and Sam. Gandalf woke up on mountainside, without cloth. Gwaihir, the lord of eagles carried him to Lorien where he was treated from injuries and clothed in white robes by Galadriel. After it, he was called as Gandalf the White.
White is the color of purity and innocence.[3] Some of the positive meaning that white can convey includes cleanliness, freshness and simplicity. Being like a blank slate, white symbolizes a new beginning or a fresh start. This thing is exactly related with Gandalf. After his renewal, he became much stronger and wiser than before.
Gandalf was the grey, also because of his humility. As we know, grey itself is a color of compromise. In the first part of "The Lord of the Rings", Gandalf was not in the center of attention. But he always had a role of controller. White is not only the color of new beginning, but also protection and encouragement. Gandalf always appeared in dangerous time and saved the life of nations during the war, and not only. [4]
Tolkien was the master of imagination. But each color he used with his characters, had its deep meaning. Tolkien depicted Gandalfs wisdom and humility with grey color, his purity and innocence with white color, what made his masterpiece interesting for readers.
References:
1. Tolkien J.R.R, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
2. Tolkien J.R.R, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring
3. Бехтерева М. "Цветовой тест отношений" (Л., 1985)
4. Миронова Л. Н. Цветоведение. - Минск,1984
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