From: "Dan'l Danehy-Oakes" <ddanehy@siebel.com>
Subject: Re: The Ring & The Claw
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2002 11:59:07 -0800

Dan Rabin wrote:

> With respect to the recent discussion on Tolkien's influence on 
> Wolfe, I'd like to propose that the Claw of the Conciliator is, in 
> some respects, a Wolfean reversal of the One Ring:

Well, while I don't think I would go so far as this (in the sense of
Wolfe deliberately doing so), I think you make (the beginnings of) an
interesting case for a comparative discussion of the books, especially
wrt a structuralist/poststructuralist discussion of the similar & 
different ways the two objects fill the paradigm of "ancient, 
powerful talisman."

Let's add to your list of similarities:
Both objects come into the protagonist's hands by seeming chance.
Both objects give the possessor power "according to his stature."
Both objects are ultimately destroyed during a battle with an enemy 
    who seeks to take it from the protagonist. 
Neither object looks extraordinary to a casual viewer.

And to the reversal list: 
The Ring is destroyed by seeming chance; the Claw is destroyed by 
    petty malice.
Frodo finds himself unable to give up the Ring; Severian finds
    that the "owners" will not accept (the remains of) the Claw.

--Blattid