They Should have done their Homework

Of all the television networks you would think that the History Channel would be most conscientious in preparing their specials. This is not the case, as demonstrated by last night’s “Clash of the Gods: The Lord of the Rings.” The show falls prey to the commonest of pitfalls: allegory. Not only that, but their analysis is severely reductionist, and omits key points necessary to an understanding of Tolkien or his work.  I regret the time I spent watching it, but felt compelled to comment. 

The show lists precedent after precedent as the true source for the Ring, Gandalf, the Hobbit and many elements of Tolkien’s writing. While it is true that Tolkien read, taught, and was inspired by these works this by no means implies a one to one relationship. The one saving grace here was an aside, by one of their experts: Tolkien had the unique ability to combine elements of pagan and Christian mythology.

One example of “Clash’s” narrow interpretation is the orcs. They claim the orcs are representative of capitalism. Yes, it fits…but it is too narrow a focus. There are no one to ones in Tolkien. Or if so, it is not quite so specific. Tolkien was suspicious of most technology and industry, seeing how they came to dominate the landscape and destroy natural England. Orcs are the embodiment of those who delight in machines and wanton destruction. They represent the evils of Modernity, no matter the economic or political credo.  Yet this is just one interpretation I see (see Evil or Not), one application.  The wonder of LotR, and its staying power, lies in its use of applicability in place of allegory.  The opinions of “Clash” are valid, but they are mere applications, not the source or the meaning.  Herein lies the power.  In place of the all-powerful author, controlling meaning and intent, we have the all powerful reader, free to find numerous and unique meanings upon each reading and each time.  I understand the desire to interpret and condense, but the lack of any mention of applicability, (but the very noticeable mention of allegory a few times) is troublesome…when the author went to such pains to express his ideology within the pages of the book itself! 

Through all the discussion of source materials, they never mention the true impetus of the story and the reason Tolkien actually admits: language. Very little time is spent on Tolkien’s invention of language, which he claimed is the progenitor of all myth. The Silmarillion and his subsequent writings, all stem from Tolkien’s creation of elvish. He not only desired an English mythology, but to discover the world of his languages.

In the end the biggest flaw is one so crucial to an understanding of Tolkien, and his understanding of Christian providence, that I cannot believe it was never mentioned. Not only that, but it was blatantly ignored! This concept is eucatastrophe; the sudden entrance of Grace, which saves all from despair. In the show, they remark on how “contrary to his Christian beliefs” it is that Frodo does not conquer the Ring and destroy it…that he does not succeed. That a “good” character succumbs, and the “evil” (Gollum) succeeds in his place through evil designs. This is blatantly wrong. Tolkien believed in Eucatastrophe, taking his cues from the greatest moment of Eucatastrophe in history: the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord. This  moment in the narrative depicts Man’s reliance on providence. Gollum succeeds in regaining the Ring. He accidentally falls into the Cracks of Doom. The destruction of the Ring is no success on any character’s part, it is apparent chance; miracle. And this is central to both Tolkien’s myth-making and theology.

Christian Undertones in Tolkien’s City Plan

In medieval art and architecture geometry and number were given prime importance as symbolic forces.  Almost all the great Cathedrals ever built use the square, circle and triangle and their proportions in their design.  Number also has a spiritual effect: 1, 3, 4, 7, 12, 24…etc.  One and three for the Trinity.  Four for the Evangelists; seven for the days of Creation and Mary.  And so on.  It is crucial to the understanding of Medieval architecture, exemplified in its cathedrals, that we understand the teaching role of the church structure.  Great debate surrounded the nature of art at this moment in history: did it break the Commandment?  This question led to the Iconoclasm in the Byzantine Empire…and some of the greatest religious art throughout Europe.  The Second Council of Nicaea (787) decreed that:

representational art… is quite in harmony with the history of the spread of the gospel…are to be exposed in the holy churches of God…The more frequently they are seen in representational art, the more are those who see them drawn to remember and long for those who serve as models

Art was the primary teacher of the Gospels to a mostly illiterate population.  Springing from this role of church as teacher, comes the development of the anagogical effect of architecture: that which evokes the sensation of the sublime and the presence of God in the visitor.  This effect was largely pursued throughout the Medieval period through the use of proportion, shape and number.

I don’t know if Tolkien knew of any of this architectural or ideological history, but it does fit into Middle Earth.  Tolkien lays out Minas Tirith in great detail.  He is very specific.  It consists of seven concentric circles.  The number seven has two major meanings in the Christian worldview: the days of Creation and the seven wounds or sorrows of Mary.  From pagan mythology, there is also the seven-ringed layout of the city of Atlantis.  However, in this case I believe Tolkien knew of the significance of these “sacred” numbers through his Catholic faith.  The use of the circle is up for grabs.  Tolkien is known for his deft twining of both Christian and pagan symbols, the circle may be one such case.  The circle represents eternity and the oneness of God. 

Minas Tirith has become the capital of Gondor through the turmoil of the past.  It has become the “mother” of the nation.  It is its center, its caretaker.  It is also the nation’s one hope for renewal and rebirth.  The city is the home for the hoped for ‘return of the king.’  It is both a monument to the past, its glories and its failings, and to its future hope to return.  Just as Mary brought hope into the world through Jesus Christ, so Minas Tirith is also the source of hope and succor in Middle Earth.

There are subtle hints within the throne room itself.  Here we can see the kings of Gondor taking the place of Christian theology, teaching the supplicant the history of the Kingdom of Gondor through the use of art and staging.  Between columns to either side, stand the kings of Gondor’s past, an episodic timeline of Gondor’s development.  The steward’s throne on the lower step, while the king’s throne lies empty above, sets in stone the political hierarchy.  Both rule, both are part of the same dias, yet the king remains foremost.  And the throne, crowned overhead by a canopy reminiscent of Tuor’s helm.  Each element is steeped in history, and expectation.

“Get off the Road…Quick!”

One of the most iconic and suspenseful scenes in the Fellowship of the Ring film is the moment on the road when Frodo realizes something comes.  A Ringwraith comes, and the hobbits hide beneath a log.  It sniffs and comes extremely close to discovering them.  Frodo finds the desire to put on the Ring irresistible.  This is the viewers first real encounter with the ringwraiths.  It is the first true moment of danger for the Hobbits.  But there remains a mystery at its heart.

How does Frodo know to leave the road?

Now if we return to the book, initially Sam hears a horse or a pony coming up the road behind them.  Frodo wonders if it might be Gandalf, finally catching up with them.  Yet a nagging suspiscion tells him it is not and that he should hide from whoever comes.  He claims “I would rather not be seen on the road-by anyone.  I am sick of my doings being noticed and disscussed.”  Even as this desire to hide overwealms him, curiousity blooms in him as well. 

How much of this is natural emotion?  How much of this is the Ring’s meddling?

Gandalf once explained to Frodo that the Ring gives power to the bearer according to his stature.  Is this an example of the Ring  being bent to Frodo’s will or Frodo being bent to the Ring’s will?  In the first suposition, the Ring allows Frodo to sense danger to himself; a warning of a threat.  In the second suposition, the fear is just Frodo’s nerves, and the curiousity the work of the Ring to allow it to be found. 

In this encounter, and worse in the second, the Ring’s power, or the aura of the wraith, impose on Frodo enormous pressure to put on the Ring.  Is it the Ring?  Or is the Wraith?  The Ring was created by Sauron to control all others.  The Ringwraiths are in Sauron’s power.  The Ring calls to them, being a depository of Sauron’s power.  Or, in the opposing viewpoint, as the wraiths are servent’s of Sauron, they are calling to the Ring, they are drawn to its presence. 

The second time the hobbits run into a wraith, Frodo purposefully hides close to the road, in little cover, so as to get a close look at the wraith.  Yet, is this just strong curiousity, or some insidious influence of the Ring.  In this instance, the shadows are not enough.  Frodo is almost found.  Only the passing elves save him.

In both encounters, some deep instinct instills in Frodo the desire to hide.  Instinctually, he knows danger comes with little physical evidence.  This appears to be a manifestation of Frodo’s power through the Ring.  On some level, and this is more obviously true as the narrative continues, Frodo is able to control and command the power of the Ring.  The question is if this is the first manifestation.

Why Wait?

Why does Frodo wait so long to leave the Shire?  He learns of the nature and dangers of the Ring in April, yet he waits until September 23rd to begin his journey.  The reader must wonder, “Why wait?”

You must remember the nature of hobbits: they love comfort and all things that grow.  Even Frodo states this reason.  When Fall comes, and nature fades the desire to travel comes upon him. 

There is also the skepticism of the hobbits to consider, which I have already discussed in “Shadows of the Truth.”  For a person who finds it hard to accept new information and believe in anything beyond the bubble of their own civilization, how would the revelation of the Ring sound?  It would seem utter maddness.  Think on this.  How would you react if you discovered some family heirloom was dangerous or must be destroyed or relinquished in order to save or help others.  Would you do it?  Or would you, like Frodo, put it off for as long as you could?  It is human, and in effect hobbit, nature to do so.  If something is beatiful, or pleasurable or in any way rewarding it is difficult and traumatic to be forced to give it up.  This is the danger and allure of the material world.

Finally, we have the Ring to consider. 

Frodo’s plan to leave the Shire by way of Buckland is not fully formed until mid-summer.  Remember the nature of the Ring’s power as proposed in the early drafts: it works through the wearer’s longings.  Could it be the Ring manipulates Frodo’s desire to remain in the Shire to keep him from leaving?  This hypothesis works under the suposition that the Ring is sentient, and in some way aware of the approaching Ringwraiths.  Yet if this were true, wouldn’t it have kept him there longer?  Even a day more and the wraiths would have found him. 

Why does Frodo wait?  There can be no conclusive answer.  Yet it would appear the reasons are out of fear and reluctance to leave home.  So who can blame him?  Who does not cling to life and happiness and peace when they know it is soon to be lost?

The Foresight of Gandalf

The Shadow of the Past chapter is a huge info dump, revealing the nature and history of the Ring.  I have already described a few of the revelations to be found in this chapter, but have left off discussing Gandalf.  In this chapter, the reader gets his or her first peaks at the true Gandalf.  It is edifying to pay close attention to his words, what they imply, especially knowing the future of the War of the Ring.

The history of the loss and rediscovery of the Ring reveals the wandering path by which the Ring reaches Frodo.  For some reason, the fact that the Ring came from Gollum disgusts Frodo, even though it is apparent he already knew its origin.  I believe at this point he comes to understand the full treachery of Gollum.  Frodo hastily calls for Gollum’s death.  This is Gandalf’s response:

“Many that live deserve death.  And some that die deserve life.  Can you give it to them?  Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement.  For even the very wise cannot see all ends.  I have not much hope that Gollum can be cured before he dies, but there is a chance of it.  And he is bound up with the fate of the Ring.  My heart tells me that he has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before the end; and when that comes, the pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many-yours not the least.” FotR 58

This statement may at first glance appear solely reactionary.  I’ve purposely highlighted a few segments.  Gandalf has some knowledge, possibly never fully revealed, of the future to come.  It is an obvious deduction that Gollum is and always will be tied up in the fate of the Ring.  Yet to say that he has part to play and a role in Frodo’s fate as well is a jump.  It reveals Gandalf’s hidden thought and for the first time his divine nature.   

Later, as already discussed, Frodo attempts to destroy the Ring at Gandalf’s urging.  Yet when the reader pays close attention to Gandalf’s words, he demonstrates grim humor.  It is apparent he knows this attempt will fail.  And yet it would seem he also knows any future attempt would fail as well:

“Gandalf laughed grimly.  ‘You see?  Already you too, Frodo, cannot easily let it go, nor will to damage it.  And I could “make” you-except by force, which would break your mind.”  FotR 59

He has seen this attempt.  He would make the necessary jump.  While the Ring may not consume Frodo, it has a firm hold on him; he can neither relinquish it or wish it harm.  So why then does Gandalf still have hope?  The obvious answer is this:  Gandalf is aware of the presence of the Valar and Iluvatar in the Middle Earth; he trusts in the hope of future eucatastrophe.  In a sense, his own presence as one of the maiar is in itself a eucatastrophe.  He saves the Fellowship from the  Balrog.  He discovers the true nature of the Ring in enough time to send it on its way to destruction.  He organizes and aids in the saving of Rohan and Gondor.

Gandalf is both aware and unaware of his divine nature.  Yet on some instinctual level he must understand how he himself is an agent of Grace.  So why send Frodo on the quest and not himself?  This second question is answered by Gandalf’s response to Frodo’s offer of Ring:

“‘Do not tempt me!  I dare not take it, not even to keep it safe, unused.  The wish to wield it would be too great for my strength.  I shall have such need of it.  Great perils lie before me.‘” FotR 60

And yet, even here, the question of Gandalf’s nature is raised.  How does he know he will need the Ring?  What perils approach?  How much does Gandalf really know?  He is a maia after all.  While in human form, he still holds much of the knowledge of his divine self, though not all.  This is made clearer when Gandalf the Grey becomes Gandalf the White.  In each alias, different qualities of his divine self come to the fore according to the needs of his mission: to aid in the fall of Sauron.

Now everything Gandalf says must come under investigation.  Are these ‘guesses’ just informed conclusions, or evidence of some deeper and miraculous insight?  The quote below emphasizes this point.  It may be interpreted in two completely different ways depending on the stance.

“‘The Ring will not be able to stay hidden in the Shire much longer; and for your own sake, as well as for others, you will have to go…’” FotR 61

Gandalf the Wise makes this statement a statement of fact.  The Ring may not remain in the Shire, because inevitably danger will come.  Given the evidence he has, Gandalf knows the Enemy is aware of the Ring and the Shire as well as the name Baggins.  Therefore, this may just be a statement of concern or an attempt to thwart the inevitable.

As Gandalf the Maia, this statement takes more weight.  The return of the ringwraiths and their coming to the Shire is wrapped up in this one line.  It may also imply further suspision into the coming of Saruman and the ruin of the Shire. 

How much is Gandalf human?  How much is Gandalf divine?

Frodo and the hold of the Ring

The hold of the Ring on Frodo appears to be an obvious relationship.  Yet, like the hold of the Ring on Bilbo, the Ring’s effects require some study.  In the movie, the passage of time is not clear in the beginning of the film.  Between the long expected party, and Frodo’s quest, seventeen years pass, making Frodo fifty years old.  This is not a coincidence.  Bilbo, leaving for the quest to Erebor, was also fifty years old.  By this time, Frodo is beginning to feel the desire to adventure and see the world.  As with Bilbo, it is important to study the effects of the Ring in the beginning of the Lord of the Rings.  It is crucial to understanding the full scope and consequence of the future plot.

When Gandalf returns to the Shire, knowing now the danger of the Ring, he performs the final test: fire.  He asks Frodo for the Ring.  Frodo complies, but with apparent reluctance.  Then, suddenly, Gandalf casts the Ring into the embers of Frodo’s fire.  Frodo’s response is immediate distress; he rushes to get the tongs and fish the Ring out.  Gandalf has to restrain him.  The Ring’s hold is already quite strong, Frodo wishes no hurt to the Ring, and does not seem capable of it.

Gandalf explains the history of the Ring and the danger to the Shire to Frodo.  The final solution is reached: the Ring must be destroyed.  This a crucial moment in the tale, one that was unwittingly dropped from the film.  At this moment, Frodo proposes to destroy the Ring himself, to take a hammer to it perhaps.  Gandalf encourages him.  So Frodo pulls out the Ring and looks at it.  He is drawn by its beauty and preciousness.  He had removed the Ring with the intent of throwing it into the hottest section of his fire.  But now he could not without great struggle.  He has to forcefully make himself remember and believe all that Gandalf has told him.  This is important.  Just moments ago, he had been totally  convinced, enough so to make the initial decision to do away with the Ring.  But the Ring protects itself. 

With an extreme effort, Frodo finally moves to cast the Ring in the fire.  And what happens?  Somehow both his hand and the Ring end up back in his pocket. 

It doesn’t matter that neither hammer or fire would have consumed the Ring.  What matters is Frodo’s intent.  He is resolved to destroy the Ring, at first.  Then, through some outer force, he doubts himself and doubts Gandalf’s wisdom.  Frodo reasserts himself, however, and harnesses his will to destroy the Ring.  But he doesn’t succeed.  The Ring and his own attachment to it, on some subconscious level change his gesture to return the Ring to his pocket.

This moment is of utmost importance.  Hobbits, according to Gandalf and the wise, are quite resilient to the power of the Ring.  And yet, after little use, the Ring appears to have complete hold over Frodo.  This explains and brings new meaning to all subsequent scenes of the Lord of the Rings.  It is not to say that Frodo is weak, or that he never can defy the Ring or turn its power to his own use.  However, it is obvious that the Ring’s power over Frodo is more far reaching than most would suspect.

Think on it.

Frodo is sent on a quest to destroy the One Ring.  That is his goal.  What is the Ring’s goal?  To return to Sauron.  For a time, the purpose of the Ring and the purpose of Frodo coinside.  But remember, as Frodo penetrates Mordor and comes closer to his goal, the burden and power of the Ring increase.  It now truly begins to fight Frodo’s quest.  How can Frodo ever have been expected to destroy the Ring, when he cannot even cast it into a fire?  And, more importantly, how can Gandalf, being cognizant of this failure, still have hope?  This scene, from the very beginning, calls the entire quest into question and doubt.  How may the Ring be destroyed? 

It is this scene, more than any other, that begins to establish the themes of hope and grace.  They often grow out of hopelessness.  This moment makes the final eucatastrophe potent and meaningful.

Tolkien Reading Day and Eucatastrophe

Tomorrow, March 25th is Tolkien Reading Day.  It is a day set aside for reading and appreciating Tolkien’s works.  It is also the day of the downfall of Sauron and the destruction of the Ring.  Hence, it is one of the most important dates in Tolkien’s legendarium.

However, the date was also of central importance to Tolkien’s Catholic faith.  March 25th is the feastday of the annunciation, or conception of Jesus.  Traditionally, this date is also the day of the Cruxifiction.  Like the kingdom of Godor, March 25th was also the beginning of the year.  This is the one and only explicit link in The Lord of the Rings to Tolkien’s faith.  As an important date in his life and faith is makes sense to choose this day.  Yet we should also consider the nature of eucatastrophe.  This wasn’t a choice made lightly, just for this association.  There are deeper layers to the link.

Eucatastrophe is the sudden intervention of Grace which causes a miraculous change in the course of events.  Both the Annunciation and the Cruxifiction expemplify this chain of events.  The meeting between Gabriel and Mary leads to the conception of Jesus through the divine grace of the Holy Spirit.  The Cruxifiction is another moment of eucatastrophe within the larger context of the Easter Tridium. 

By chance, Gollum finds Frodo once more at the Cracks of Doom.  He regains the Ring.  He celebrates, and inadvertently falls to his death and the destruction of the Ring.  Is it any consequence, that at this exact moment, the army of the West is nearing defeat?  Or that Frodo has finally succumbed and the Sauron is finally aware of his doom?  No.  Here is crux of the story.  Here is the entrance of Grace.

It is interesting to look at the association in another way.  The Lord of the Rings as well as the Silmarillion were created as a pre-history, long forgotten.  Many of the dates of Christian and even pagan feasts and rituals are derived from the seasons or past traditions long forgotten.  Using this same mechanism, Tolkien is easily able to place Middle Earth within our own history.

Shadows of the Truth

“You call a tree a tree, and you think nothing more of the word. But it was not a ‘tree’ until someone gave it that name. You call a star a star, and say it is just a ball of matter moving on a mathematical course. But that is merely how you see it. By so naming things and describing them you are only inventing your own terms about them. And just as speech is invention about objects and ideas, so myth is invention about truth.

We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Indeed only by myth-making, only by becoming a ’sub-creator’ and inventing stories, can Man aspire to the state of perfection that he knew before the Fall. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbour, while materialistic ‘progress’ leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of the power of evil.”~JRR Tolkien

The second chapter of The Lord of the Rings, Shadow of the Past, begins with the aftermath of Bilbo’s joke and small tidbits from the outside world. Rumors of Mordor and an Enemy appear in the Shire.  Elves pass through in greater numbers to reach the Grey Havens.  The great East-West road is filled with Dwarves passing through.  What little knowledge the hobbits have of the world outside comes through the dwarves; if they ever ask.   These rumors are little more than tales to scare young hobbits into bed. 

 Sam and Ted Sandyman talk in the Green Dragon about myth and rumor.  As Ted says, ” there’s only one Dragon in Bywater, and that’s Green.”  This statement, while simple and minor, is extremely important to beginning to understand the nature of hobbits and vicariously the way that we also see the outside world.  Only the here and now is truly accepted.  Only that which can be seen and proved without shadow of a doubt is believed.  Yet Sam is different.  He is drawn to dragons, elves and (unknowlingly) ents.  The two hobbits discuss walking trees, the passage of Elves and the Sea.  Ted is skeptical, while Sam yearns to find truth in these tales. 

The quote above has always been my favorite quote by Tolkien.  It is found in Humphrey’s biography of Tolkien’s life.  CS Lewis and Tolkien were great friends.  In fact, Tolkien is one of the most important figures in Lewis’ quest for faith.  Lewis questioned the Bible, asking how could anyone believe in myth, it can’t be true.  The above was Tolkien’s response.  As we are God’s children, created in His image and likeness, we are also drawn to create.  Everything we create is subcreation, a creation of God by proxy through us.  Therefore in all things there is a shred of truth.

Let’s return to the hobbits.  As I’ve stated before, hobbits are essentially the same as us.  In myth their views are similar to CS Lewis.  Their maps are blank a small distance from the Shire.  The sea is a nebulous idea a vague wave away.  Elves are a rarity of the past and rumor never to be proven.  Everything is taken on face value.  In the prologue, it is said that hobbits prefer books which tell only things they already know.  Their focus is on ordering that knowledge, neat and tidy, but rarely added to. 

Saddly, in many ways, this is the state that our society has sunk to.  It is the same problem I discussed before in the challenges of fantasy.  It is a lack of belief.  It is a need to have proof and physical evidence.  And this is untrue.  Humans and hobbits are limited in our foresight and awareness of the world.  Yet we, like them, have the opportunity to learn the truth.  The Lord of the Rings is a tale about the truth of tales, the revelation that behind every myth and rumor is kernal of truth.

Bilbo and the Hold of the Ring

How strong is the Ring’s hold?  This question doesn’t have a clear answer, and it appears Tolkien worked on this very issue continuously throughout the writing of Lord of the Rings. 

At times the Ring appears to be a sentient entity, capable of thought and planning.  In the Hobbit, and later explained in Lord of the Rings, the Ring apparently chooses  to leave Gollum.  Somehow the Ring is able to sense the renewed rise of Sauron in the outside world and see that the only way to become reunited is to leave Gollum and the caves.  But can this really be true?  If this were so, wouldn’t the Ring have chosen anyone other than Bilbo?  So the Ring’s power has set limits.  This moment could even be interpreted as a moment of Eucatastrophe.  By chance, Bilbo is knocked down the right tunnel and happens to place his hand directly on the Ring.  Also by chance he figures out the workings of the Ring to escape Gollum.  Now this second element could be the first touch of the Ring on Bilbo to ensure its own escape from Gollum and as a consequence also saving Bilbo.

However, the reader can still question the foresight and sentience of the Ring.  In leaving Gollum, it sets up a whole chain of events which would have led to its recovery.  Gollum, following Bilbo, eventually finds out his true name and where he comes from: Bilbo Baggins from the Shire.  In time he finds himself drawn to Mordor, where he is captured and questioned.  The Nazgul have returned to power and soon leave Minas Morgul to abduct Bilbo and retrieve the Ring.  All this is set in motion solely by the Ring’s “choice” to leave Gollum.  Is this just fate?  Or, by some contrivance, is the Ring actually able to orchestrate these events?  One has to remember that Sauron poured much of his own power and essence into the Ring.  It isn’t that much of stretch to assume that the Ring, as a consequence, has its own agenda or is in some manner still controlled by Sauron.

And yet this plan is foiled.  How?  By the will of single Hobbit.

Bilbo is not a central figure in the Lord of the Rings.  Yet, while always off stage, he is one of the truest heroes in the tale.  Unlike Borromir, unlike Frodo, unlike Gollum, only he and Sam are able to escape the Ring’s hold.  If he could not, if he had kept the Ring, if he had succumbed, the quest would have failed before it began.  Sauron would have returned.

It is obvious upon reading ”The Long Expected Party” that the Ring has a true and strong hold on Bilbo.  It is an obvious struggle for him to relinquish it to Frodo.  The whole purpose of the party and giving away so many and so lavish gifts was solely to make the giving of the Ring easier.  This fails.

After Bilbo’s “joke,” Bilbo returns to Bag End, places the Ring in envelope and then puts it back in his pocket.  No more is  said.  It appears to be an automatic, reflexive action.  When asked about the Ring, at first Bilbo is confused by this act, then rationalizes it.  The Ring should be mine, he thinks.  Yet when we think about this action, it truly seems to be foreign; as if an outside force, without Bilbo’s awareness, molds his actions to its needs.  Then, being confronted with this action, Bilbo makes it his own and proclaims his right to the Ring.  Is this outburst his own true feelings against Gandalf, or a manifestation of the Ring’s hold?  I would claim both.  Remember the Ring of the drafts: the Ring gains power over Bilbo as a memento of his travels.  He is now set on leaving the Shire and reliving those adventures.  Why would he leave his most precious heirloom behind?

Consider Bilbo, he has none of the knowledge or superstition of Gandalf to make him fear the Ring.  He is confused by Gandalf’s focus on it.  This confusion grows into anger and jealousy.  While this is a reasonable reaction, it is logical to see the Ring’s effect here as well, amplifying his feelings.  It is also possible that this jealousy increases the power of the Ring’s hold on Bilbo.

Yet out of Bilbo’s trust for Gandalf, and his unflappable innocence and humor, Bilbo holds true to his original decision.  He takes out the envelope and makes to put it on the mantel.  The motion is jerky and forced, as if made against some will.  He cannot complete the gesture, dropping the envelope on the floor.  Gandalf immediately scoops it up and places it on the mantel.  This sets off a moment of extreme anger in Bilbo, possibly the last vestiges of the Ring’s direct hold.  Then, almost as suddenly, Bilbo returns to his carefree, happy state the reader remembers from the end of the Hobbit.  He is free.  While the Ring still has some hold over him, Bilbo will never be ruled by it again. 

It almost never mentioned, but in this Bilbo becomes one of the most important figures in the Lord of the Rings.  He is, in fact, a hero.

I have an assignment for you…

Many of my posts have dealt with the Old Forest, Tom Bombadil and the Wights.  I’ve attempted to reveal their nature and reason in Middle Earth.  They are a crucial part of the story.  Yet there is more.  Remember Tolkien was a philogist.  He studied words and language, their permutations and origins.  More than any other author, at least in the fantasy genre, he crafts the language.  Each word is picked with care and specific intent. 

And so I have a challenge for you.  Granted chapters 6-8 seem out of place and hard…but that may be due to the way we as the reader aproach them.  Think for a minute.  Tolkien loved language.  Like a painter, he used words, instead of brushes, tones and strokes.  So pay attention to the WORDS, the LANGUAGE!  This is the key to truly appreciating all Tolkien has to offer; and it is no where more clear than in the chapter “In the House of Tom Bombadil.” 

Here’s what I’d like you to do.  When Tom enters, he sings, he sings throughout his role in the book.  Spend some time on his songs; get a feel for the rhythm of the words.  Then read those chapters (6-8).  Pay particular attention to the passages when Tom is present.  It took me a while to notice, but the same rhythms apply to the entirety of Tolkien’s prose there.  If you truly focus on the words and language, I’m sure you’ll find wonderous artistry.

The beauty of Tolkien’s prose is amazing.  Often it can be difficult to appreciate.  But you have to remember, the story comes from language.  First, from Tolkien’s desire to make a mythology for England.  Secondly, through his growing belief that language creates stories; ie The Silmarillion.  So I challenge you to pay attention when you read.  Appreciate it for more than story and adventure, but for the true artistry of a master-craftsman.  The wonder and power of the work only grows as you delve deeper.