This week we read "The Voice of Saruman." Gandalf and company confront Saruman at Orthanc, and we get to see Saruman's much hinted at magic - specifically the charming magic of his voice. He speaks to Theoden and then to Gandalf, trying to persuade not only them (to agree with him) but also to those around them (so that if they disagree, they'll be alienated by the others). Saruman gives a long speech to Gandalf, inviting him up so they can plan "to heal the disorders of the world."
So great was the power that Saruman exerted in this last effort that none that stood
within hearing were unmoved. But now the spell was wholly different.
within hearing were unmoved. But now the spell was wholly different.
They heard the gentle remonstrance of a kindly king with an erring
but much-loved minister. But they were shut out, listening at a door to words
not meant for them: ill-mannered children or stupid servants overhearing the elusive
not meant for them: ill-mannered children or stupid servants overhearing the elusive
discourse of their elders, and wondering how it would affect their lot.
Of loftier mould these two were made: reverend and wise.
Of loftier mould these two were made: reverend and wise.
It was inevitable that they should make alliance. Gandalf would ascend into the tower,
to discuss deep things beyond their comprehension in the high chambers of Orthanc.
to discuss deep things beyond their comprehension in the high chambers of Orthanc.
The door would be closed, and they would be left outside, dismissed to await
allotted work or punishment. Even in the mind of Theoden the thought took shape,
like a shadow of doubt: ‘He will betray us; he will go – we shall be lost.’
Then Gandalf laughed. The fantasy vanished like a puff of smoke.
"Why is this laughter so powerful?"
"All laughter is powerful, because it breaks control. Control requires seriousness. Laughter is associated with freedom - freedom to have fun and to play to take chances, to make mistakes, to get messy."
"Can you control with laughter?"
"I don't think that's possible. If the person in control laughs, that would signal you have a lot of freedom - even if you have a serious goal. And if the person in control who laughs sees what you did and stops laughing - you've either achieved something great or made a grave mistake."
"So great leaders do not laugh?"
"No! Great leaders, we would hope, laugh regularly. But great leaders inspire - they do not control."
"How can we know the difference?"
"Great leaders will point to a destination and say "Let us get there." They may consider certain methods off-limits but generally will be open to suggestion. Controllers already have a plan. More than that, they are committed to it, and want people only as tools - not as people."
"How can we counter those who seek control?"
"Resistance can come in many forms. But laughter is the best."
"Why do you say so?"
"If you fight back through more deliberate means people may wonder if it is because you seek to be the one in control. They'll do a whole cost-benefit analysis of the current situation, and decide what is best for them on that basis. And as people want different things, a movement may scatter before it properly begins. But people naturally wish to laugh. Laughter is contagious. Laughter is disruptive. Laughter can be faked, but less successfully than faked good-will. It is even more difficult to control it."
"So laughter is best because it's only use is freedom."
"Correct. The means and the ends must both be justified - and freedom is the most just cause of all."
"Not justice?"
"With freedom, you are able to pursue it. And if others will not, you are free to attempt to persuade them."
"What if they won't listen?"
"Sounds like you want control, and if that's the route you take it will be perilous. You will have to rule by fear, and quash all hints of laughter. Your tyranny will rule over you, as well, as your subjects will always be looking for weakness."
"Laughter will break all chains."
"The freedom to laugh is a precious one. Beware of those who try attempt to proscribe it. Be as Gandalf, and laugh whenever the emperor has no clothes, not only for your own good, but for the benefit of others, as well.
"What about cruel laughter?"
"Our text regularly tells of different kind of laughter: 'Merry' and 'soft,' but also 'grim,' 'harsh,' 'chilling,' 'deadly,' and 'wild howls of laughter.' Laughter which is not described, we should assume, is genuine and good. As readers, it is hard not to smile along in those latter instances. So if one sees cruel laughter, it is the cruelty which must be dealt with - not the laughter."
"All tools can be turned to evil."
"The right response, then, is to wrest the tools from evildoers. We do not have to destroy them."
"The tools or the evildoers?"
"The tools is what I meant. They can be turned to good. As for the evildoers.... I hope the same can be said for them, too.
"All laughter is powerful, because it breaks control. Control requires seriousness. Laughter is associated with freedom - freedom to have fun and to play to take chances, to make mistakes, to get messy."
"Can you control with laughter?"
"I don't think that's possible. If the person in control laughs, that would signal you have a lot of freedom - even if you have a serious goal. And if the person in control who laughs sees what you did and stops laughing - you've either achieved something great or made a grave mistake."
"So great leaders do not laugh?"
"No! Great leaders, we would hope, laugh regularly. But great leaders inspire - they do not control."
"How can we know the difference?"
"Great leaders will point to a destination and say "Let us get there." They may consider certain methods off-limits but generally will be open to suggestion. Controllers already have a plan. More than that, they are committed to it, and want people only as tools - not as people."
"How can we counter those who seek control?"
"Resistance can come in many forms. But laughter is the best."
"Why do you say so?"
"If you fight back through more deliberate means people may wonder if it is because you seek to be the one in control. They'll do a whole cost-benefit analysis of the current situation, and decide what is best for them on that basis. And as people want different things, a movement may scatter before it properly begins. But people naturally wish to laugh. Laughter is contagious. Laughter is disruptive. Laughter can be faked, but less successfully than faked good-will. It is even more difficult to control it."
"So laughter is best because it's only use is freedom."
"Correct. The means and the ends must both be justified - and freedom is the most just cause of all."
"Not justice?"
"With freedom, you are able to pursue it. And if others will not, you are free to attempt to persuade them."
"What if they won't listen?"
"Sounds like you want control, and if that's the route you take it will be perilous. You will have to rule by fear, and quash all hints of laughter. Your tyranny will rule over you, as well, as your subjects will always be looking for weakness."
"Laughter will break all chains."
"The freedom to laugh is a precious one. Beware of those who try attempt to proscribe it. Be as Gandalf, and laugh whenever the emperor has no clothes, not only for your own good, but for the benefit of others, as well.
"What about cruel laughter?"
"Our text regularly tells of different kind of laughter: 'Merry' and 'soft,' but also 'grim,' 'harsh,' 'chilling,' 'deadly,' and 'wild howls of laughter.' Laughter which is not described, we should assume, is genuine and good. As readers, it is hard not to smile along in those latter instances. So if one sees cruel laughter, it is the cruelty which must be dealt with - not the laughter."
"All tools can be turned to evil."
"The right response, then, is to wrest the tools from evildoers. We do not have to destroy them."
"The tools or the evildoers?"
"The tools is what I meant. They can be turned to good. As for the evildoers.... I hope the same can be said for them, too.
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