The San Francisco Chronicle did an article on studies being done to figure out why people cry in the presence of beautiful things like art or music. As a follow-up to that, they asked readers to write in and tell them what things made them cry in that way. There were dozens of replies. Along with Mahler, Strauss and Schubert, Rodin and Shakespeare, the Fellowship of the Ring got two mentions. In both cases the writers said they cried not because of sadness but because of the touching nature of the friendship and loyalty the Fellowship showed. For one writer it’s the moment when Frodo reaches down to pull the drowning Sam out of the river that brings on the tears – as many of us can attest!
LOTR Triggers the Weeping Reflex
June 18th, 2002 by Tehanu
