As a dedicated fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth saga and Peter Jackson’s film adaptations, I find myself intrigued by the evolution of certain lines into internet memes. One such example is Théoden’s question to Aragorn about Gondor’s absence during the siege of the Westfold in “The Two Towers.
In “The Two Towers” film, there are numerous thrilling scenes, most of which revolve around the Battle of Helm’s Deep. Despite being just one chapter in the book, it constitutes a substantial part of the movie (and rightfully so given that impressive set). Prior to the battle commencing, Aragorn and King Théoden have an animated discussion about whether or not the Rohirrim should send for reinforcements.
When Aragorn makes this statement, Theoden steps nearer and remarks, “Who will come to help us? Elves or Dwarves? We don’t have such allies as you do. The old alliances no longer exist.” In response, the Númenórean king in exile (Aragorn’s lineage is complex) says, “Gondor shall respond,” and Theoden, feeling desperate and cornered, retorts, “Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies surrounded us? Where was Gondor – No, my lord Aragorn. We are on our own.
It’s common knowledge that events unfold in a certain manner. In some adaptations, Elves appear (though this scene isn’t always present in the original books), and Gandalf and Éomer arrive just as things seem dire (this too is not a consistent element from the books). They manage to withstand Saruman’s attack (as depicted in the books). Interestingly, despite all the excitement, there’s one line that has resonated strongly in popular culture: Théoden’s poignant question about the lack of Gondor in the Westfold. Let’s delve into its significance.
What did Theoden mean when he asked where Gondor was when the Westfold fell?
Let’s break down the question by examining Gondor and Rohan’s historical connection first. Prior to the events in “The Lord of the Rings,” Gondor was the ruler over Rohan, which encompassed Helm’s Deep and its early defense systems. In times of invasion, the Rohirrim, dwelling in the north (near where Beorn resides during Bilbo Baggins’ adventure to the Lonely Mountain in “The Hobbit”), would arrive just in time, vanquish Gondor’s enemies, and receive the region as a gift for their valor. This event established a strong bond between the two societies that persisted throughout the Third Age and into the Fourth. Notably, kings Aragorn and Éomer continued to fight together even after the War of the Ring.
As a gamer, I find myself frequently exploring the lands of Gondor and Rohan. These realms are quite neighborly, with Gondor nestled in the south and Rohan situated above it on the map. The Westfold, a picturesque green expanse, lies within Rohan’s southwestern territories. This region, as detailed in “The Lord of the Rings: A Reader’s Companion”, is described as ‘the slopes and fields between Thrihyrne and Edoras’. Essentially, Thrihyrne represents the mountain range encircling Helm’s Deep fortress. So, the Westfold stretches from Helm’s Deep along that southern mountain range, all the way to Edoras – Rohan’s Golden Hall and capital city.
So, where WAS Gondor when the Westfold fell?
Regarding the fall of Westfold, Saruman’s armies, marching out of Isengard, launched a full-scale attack on Rohan. They rampaged through much of the grassy lands, eventually trapping the king and his army at Helm’s Deep. During this destructive campaign, they plowed through Westfold, leaving behind only destruction and devastation. The local forces, led by a brave man named Erkenbrand of Westfold, were initially dispersed in the chaos.
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Two Towers,” Éomer is present at Helm’s Deep alongside Théoden and Erkenbrand. It’s significant to mention that, within the narrative, Théoden implicates Saruman for orchestrating the Uruk-hai attacks in the Westfold region, stating, “What defense can you offer for your fires in Westfold and the innocent lives lost there?
From a devoted fan’s perspective, I’ve been pondering over a fascinating observation: Why does he convey such contrasting messages to Saruman about his armies in the books versus Aragorn regarding Gondor’s absence in the movies? Could Gondor conceivably have arrived in time to assist the Westfold folk against Saruman’s sudden attack? In my opinion, no.
How Theoden’s Gondor quote from Lord of the Rings became a meme
One way to rephrase that sentence could be: “What makes ‘Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell?’ stand out is its viral popularity across various internet platforms. This meme gained traction around ten years after the movie’s release, particularly within Middle-earth communities on sites like Reddit. By 2019, specific versions of the meme had been created and recognized by a broader audience, often featuring Théoden’s image with the quote or its paraphrase in captions.
Instead of using distinct photos or backdrops from various films and labeling them as ‘Gondor’ and ‘Westfold’, some creatively manipulated their memes. One particularly clever example was placing Théoden’s face over the Carmen San Diego logo, which read, “Can you guess where in the world Gondor was when Westfold fell?” This playful adaptation of the well-known game show reference adds humor to the Lord of the Rings context.
The proliferation of the quote is fun, if only because of the implausibility of the original line. In the context of Théoden’s quandary (especially in the adapted movie where he has even fewer soldiers and allies), it makes sense that he would be bitter and frustrated about his lack of support. However, accusing distant allies of not showing up to help protect his nation when he, himself, couldn’t even get there in time with his local forces is a stretch. At the end of the day, the awkward accusation left us with a line that has become embedded in popular culture and that launched a thousand memes across the internet. Peter Jackson, once again, we salute you.
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2024-10-26 21:00