The power of his voice

The horror in the film, Gaslight (Cukor, 1944), really stuck in my Mother's memory: she spoke often about it, and watched the film with me, so I was familiar with the plot when the term "gaslighting" was a runner up word of the year (Oxford Languages, 2018). Defined as "The action of manipulating someone by psychological means into accepting a false depiction of reality or doubting their own sanity" (Oxford Languages, 2018), gaslighting is very hard to counter.

Last year I watched a clip about a reader (Jonathan, 2025) who was encountering The Lord of the Rings for the first time, and who vlogged his thoughts on the books as he went (First Timers, 2025). And when he got to the Wizard Gandalf bearding the captive Saruman in Orthanc, Jonathan felt that Saruman was gaslighting everyone in the party, with Gandalf's approach being a potential antidote for Saruman's gaslighting: "Beware of his voice!" (Tolkien, 1954, p. 752) Gandalf warns those who will accompany him.

The company goes to Orthanc, summons Saruman, and: 

"Suddenly another voice spoke, low and melodious, its very sound an enchantment. Those who listened unwarily to that voice could seldom report the words that they heard; and if they did, they wondered, for little power remained in them. Mostly they remembered only that it was a delight to hear the voice speaking, all that it said seemed wise and reasonable, and desire awoke in them by swift agreement to seem wise themselves" (p. 754).

Saruman works through the company, tempting, seeking out individual weaknesses, looking for a way out. At last, not having deceived Gimli, Eomer or Theoden, Saruman tries to have Gandalf enter Orthanc, who responds with humour:

"Gandalf laughed. The fantasy vanished like a puff of smoke. ‘Saruman, Saruman!’ said Gandalf still laughing. ‘Saruman, you missed your path in life. You should have been the king’s jester and earned your bread, and stripes too, by mimicking his counsellors. Ah me!’ he paused, getting the better of his mirth. ‘Understand one another? I fear I am beyond your comprehension. But you, Saruman, I understand now too well. I keep a clearer memory of your arguments, and deeds, than you suppose. When last I visited you, you were the jailor of Mordor, and there I was to be sent. Nay, the guest who has escaped from the roof, will think twice before he comes back in by the door" (p. 759).

Then Gandalf is merciful to Saruman, saying if he comes down, he is free to go. But Saruman is imprisoned by his own poison (Tolkien, 1954).

Despite having read LOTR many times, I had not thought of Saruman's oratory techniques of divide and conquer as gaslighting, but I think Jonathan has called it well (2025; First Timers, 2025). 

But to counter gaslighting, we need a company of friends around us - to divide the gaslighter's attention - in order to beard a gaslighter in their lair. We need have emotional distance and back ourselves. We need to keep our head; to focus on the facts and to trust our memory; to respond with genuine humour; and to be merciful. 

We have to know that the flickering of the light is real.

Sam

References:

First Timers. (2025, June 12). This is Tolkien's SOLVE for Gaslighting and Manipulation [video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/WL0aneHoIvY

Jonathan. (2025). About First Time Readers. Substack. https://firsttimereaders.substack.com/about

Oxford Languages. (2018). Word of the Year 2018: Shortlist. https://languages.oup.com/word-of-the-year/2018-shortlist/

Tolkien, J. R. R. (1954). The Two Towers: Being the second part of The Lord of the Rings. Allen & Unwin.

Cukor, G. (Director). (1944). Gaslight [film]. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer