Gandalf and the Dishwasher

[lucky_kari]

No: HPFGUIDX 47230

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Christopher Nuttall"
<christopher_g_nuttall at h...> wrote:
> First, I dispute the 'gandalf as god' argument, I believe that while
he has a history, he is 'just' a powerful magian and is bound by no
laws, save by whatever laws the white council has, and that he is free
>to >interfere as an individual as he sees fit.  

Have you read Tolkien's other works then, particularly the
Silmarillion? Do. It's a challenging piece of work, but you only need
to read the last little essay at the back, "Of the Rings of Power," I
believe and you will discover what was going on with Gandalf. Gandalf
is not a "god" but sent by the "gods," and he is not free to interfere
as an individual as he sees fit. "Gandalf is an angel," says Tolkien
in "Letters," trying to explain in our terms what Gandalf is. One of
the Maiar in Tolkien's vocabulary. 

Therefore, I think the Gandalf-Dumbledore analogy is interesting.
However, I do agree with Grey Wolf that Dumbledore isn't restrained by
the Valar from action, so I don't think it can be successfully pursued.

Eileen