“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?

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.

A quick comment

So, I’m sure by now all of you have heard the news about the fate of The Hobbit;  they’ve finally come to an agreement and we’ll have two movies in a couple of years.  Now does the fact that they are making two movies bother anyone else?  I know for myself, and many I’ve talked to, this is a major matter for concern.  According to the “rumor mills,” the second film will deal with the time between the end of The Hobbit and the beginning of The Lord of the Rings.  Granted, Tolkien wrote quite a bit of back story for this time, with many time lines and shorter tales, but can this constitute an entire film?  I don’t know.  I fear the film makers may use the lack of a concrete story to take control and make up their own story.  And, if you want a doom and gloom tale, if it succeeds as such it would lead to a whole trail of “LotR inspired” movies; because we all know how much Hollywood will do to make money…

I still am waffling over whether having Peter Jackson at the helm is a good thing or not.  Yes, his films were beautifully done.  Yes, they were entertaining.  Yes, they portrayed the basic plot of the books.  BUT…as you probably know by now, hopefully having read my previous posts, Peter Jackson and co. mangled much of Tolkien’s masterpiece to the point where it is no longer recognizable.  I think it is good at least that the vision of Middle Earth and the rigor with which they brought it to life will be continued in the new films.  But I cannot help but be wary of what they may produce; especially given the nature of The Hobbit.  It is a light-hearted book.  It does not have the gravitas and epic weight of LotR.  For this reason, I fear any movie maker will take much more dramatic license with it.  We shall see. 

Of Barrow Wights and Old Man Willow

No other event or character is noticeably absent from The Fellowship of the Ring film than the Barrow Wight and Old Man Willow, with the obvious exception of Tom Bombadil.  Why were they left out?  Or, more importantly, why are they in Middle Earth to begin with?

To start, why were they dropped?  Recall, Tom Bombadil, Old Man Willow and the wight are all transplanted into Middle Earth from a poem Tolkein wrote years before LotR.  In many ways this insertion is glaringly evident.  The entire scenario slows down the plot.  It’s absurd and out of place.  So why did Tolkien include it?

The inclusion of these scenes demonstrates Tolkien’s genius.  Yes, they are odd.  Yes, they don’t quite fit.  But I believe they are  intentionally so.  Their seeming awkwardness makes them stand out.  It gets the reader’s attention; makes him or her want to puzzle out their existence. 

So, what is their reason for being? 

It’s quite simple if we return to Tolkien’s arguments about Tom Bombadil:

“‘The power of the Ring over all concerned, even the Wizards or Emissaries, is not delusion-but it is not the whole picture, even of the then state and content of the Universe.’” (Tolkien, Letter 153, p 192)

It is with Tom, Old Man Willow and the Barrow Wight that Tolkien attempts to show us the whole picture.  All evil is not invested in the Ring.  It is not even beholden to Sauron.  Evil exists.  Certainly Sauron is the greatest evil of the time, but he is not the only evil.  Just because he is the “supreme” evil of the time does not infer that all evil is connected back to him.

There is more to the picture.

Recall Tolkien’s attempts to write the sequel “The New Shadow.”  Here we see again the whole picture.  The destruction of the Ring may destroy Sauron, may kill a branch of evil, but not the tree.  The tree, to use Tolkien’s metaphor, never dies. 

The Old Forest, and the Barrow Downs require the reader to really explore the nature of evil and goodness.  It is not cut and dry.  It has no easy answer.  And so, “‘Not even at the Feast of Felling should the axe be hung up on the wall!’” (Peoples of Middle Earth, Tolkien 411)

Try Me: Haldir

Haldir only appears in the second book (TT).  He is one of the elves set to guard the northern bounds of Lothlorien.  He guides the Fellowship to Caras Galadhon and, from what I can tell, that is the extent of his role in the book. 

I see two reasons for Peter Jackson to kill off Haldir, one is purely pragmatic, the other symbolic.  Let’s start with the pragmatic reason.  The elves never go to Helm’s Deep in the book.  In the film, notice that apparently no elves survive.  From the point of Haldir’s death, or the retreat to the Hornburg, we never see another elf besides Legolas.  So the reason for Haldir’s death is simple: to avoid all the problems that come with changing the plot.  How would Jackson have been able to explain away an army of elves?  He couldn’t, because they don’t work, they are totally alien to the plot of the book.  So he kills them off.

Ok, well that theory seems a bit cold hearted and depressing!  So let’s look at the possible symbolism of Haldir’s and the elves’ deaths.  What better way is there to show resolve and loyalty than to sacrifice oneself for another?  The elve’s sacrifice demonstrates their resolve to fight evil.  It also reinforces their ”allegience” with men.  Also, it increases the tension and gravity of the scene.  The elves are stronger, faster, better armored, better armed and better trained than men.  They are an army.  If they cannot survive the onslaught of the Uruk-hai, how can the men of Rohan expect to?

Ok, so those are my reasons why Haldir and the elves would die.  Now let me explain why the elves coming to Helm’s Deep in the first place is a horrendous idea.  The Last Alliance is called “last” for a reason!  Also, recall that Lothlorien is attacked three times during the War of the Ring.  Lothlorien would have fallen if troops left to help Rohan.  Remember, the elves are dwindling, both in numbers and power.  It is hard to believe they’d send troops to aid men when they themselves are greatly threatened. 

In their despair and fear of deminishing, the elves begin to pull themselves farther and farther out of the “living world” of Middle Earth, breaking all contacts. It may be, in seeing humans and other races, they see just how far they have fallen. It is very powerful, seeing a race so high and mighty impotent (for the most part)…other than to protect their own realms. It also highlights the strain of interrelationship between races.

ALSO, and this is my biggest point, the elves coming to Helm’s Deep decreases the valour and courage of MEN. The end of the Third age acts as the transition point between the time of Elves/Dwarves, and the time of Men. At Helm’s Deep, we feel the true desperation of being alone in a field of enemies, pitted against foes beyond our strength. And yet, the Rohirrim harden their hearts against fear, to fight on. It is crucial that the defenders be MEN, not Elves. Elves are associated with the mythical, divine, supernatural. It lessens the tension and fear, because their prowess seems so great. In the book, the presence of the Heroic is easier seen: Theoden’s ride, Aragorn, Eomer, Gimli, Legolas…they all stand above the rest. In the film, they are set within an army of elves…much their equals (or betters, if they retain the skills seen in the Last Alliance). To me, it just doesn’t work at all. It ruins the tone and fear of the moment. It ruins the final eucatastrophe of the coming of Erkenbrand and Gandalf.

Try me

Ok.

Here’s your chance.  Is there something about Lord of the Ring’s or any of Tolkien’s works that you’ve wondered about?  Are there ideas and concepts of particular meaning to you that you’d like me to write about?  Or are there differences between the books and the movies that particularly irk you?  Here’s your opportunity. 

My current list of projected posts ideas has a healthy number of ideas, but I thought it would be interesting to see if there is anything in particular any of you readers would like me to touch upon.  If you have an idea, just post it as a comment to this post.  If I like your idea I’ll get to work, and do some research and we’ll see what I come up with!

Happy Despair

One of my favorite scenes from the book has always been the coming of the Captains of the Outlands to the aid of Minas Tirith.  It is a moment of expectation and excitement.  It is a moment of joy and happiness in the dark of impending doom, countered by the desperate realization that too few have come.  Danger presses on all sides, cutting off help; diminishing Gondor’s full strength by preventing a united front.  Yet, even in disappointment, “‘every little is a gain’” (Tolkien 753).  Here at the Gate, is a scene of hope countered cruelly by despair. 

This scene strikes a chord.  It evokes vibrant sensations of the tramping of feet, proud trumpets, proud knights and barely shrouded fear.  Here at the Gate, more than any other moment in the siege of Gondor, is the desperation of the War more keenly felt.  The Captains come, risking what few men they can, in fear their homes are being destroyed behind them.  Yet they still come, proud and brave.  They remain loyal. 

Among so many exemplars of courage, this one is my favorite.  The tension has been building, building so great it’s hard to bear.  The coming of the Captains seems a final breath, a relief from the darkness.  But it is a thin and wavering light.  In intense expectation we watch the Captains come with the watchers at the Gate, frantically counting their numbers with them….and finding them achingly small.  It is a moment of happy despair. 

I would have loved to see this depicted in the film.  It is a scene of such power and poignancy, which never fails to give me chills. 

PS.  I am going to be away for about a week, on vacation…so no posts for a while.  I hope to get some work done on “Frodo, Gollum and the Ring,” dealing with the nature of Gollum’s taming, oath and whether Frodo ‘failed’.  This post has been on my mind for a long time, and will require research and quotes…so I thank any readers for your patience.

Guardians, and the purpose of Tom Bombadil

I understand why Tom Bombadil and the Barrowdowns were cut from the films.  To most, they appear to be an add-on, useless and pointless.  However, this could not be farther from the truth.  They have a purpose, if somewhat obscure.

In the beginning, the hobbits are neither prepared nor mature enough to face the cruelties and evils of Middle Earth.  Therefore, for much of the book, they rely on Guardians.  First, when confronted with the Black Riders, they find the elves.  Then Farmer Maggot.  These are relatively weak and passing examples, but equal to the level of peril.  

After leaving the Shire, the hobbits are alone in the Old Forest, which leads them to the Withywindle and Old man Willow.  It is a danger none of them understand or grasp fully, with no clear solution or salvation.  Thus, enters Tom Bombadil.  Even after the knowledge of Bombadil is imparted and they’ve had their first tastes of danger, the hobbits are still caught by the Barrow-wight.  Tom comes to save them again. 

It is important to note, upon the parting of Tom and the Hobbits, their reluctance to be parted.  They long for the safety, the security he offers.  It was the same in the Shire.  It is what they have always been used to: an easy life, with little fear.  But now fear has found them and they do not know what to do.

Tom Bombadil is replaced by a long line of Guardians and caretakers: Aragorn, Glorfindel, Gandalf and the others of the Fellowship.  Each watches out for the hobbits.  Yet, in the end, the hobbits are separated momentarily from a guardian.  Merry and Pippin are captured by the Uruk-hai.  They manage quite well, finding and using courage they did not know they had.  Frodo and Sam also no longer have a guardian and manage to navigate the Emyn Muil.  However, again, they find guardians.  Merry and Pippin meet Treebeard.  Sam and Frodo meet Gollum.  What is key to notice here, is the stature of these guardians.  They grant more freedom and responsibility to the hobbits, especially in the case of Gollum. 

Even so, the most important point to make is that the hobbits only have “guardians” until the moment(s) that really matter!  Sam and Frodo are left alone in Shelob’s lair.  Sam is left alone after Frodo is taken by the orcs of the tower.  Pippin is alone against the madness of Denethor’s madness.  Merry is alone to strike the Witchking.  It is during these moments when the reader finally sees the true mettle and indomitable strength and courage of each hobbit. 

The parting of Gandalf and the hobbits is the most important moment in the growth of Merry, Pippin, Sam and Frodo.  Here, finally, they are forced to see the change in themselves; to stop relying on others and take up their burdens on their own, knowing they are now capable. 

“’I am with you at present,’ said Gandalf, ‘but soon I shall not be.  I am not coming to the Shire.  You must settle its affairs yourselves; that is what you have been trained for.  Do you not yet understand?  My time is over: it is no longer my task to set things to rights, nor to help folk do so.  And as for you, my dear friends, you will need no help.  You are grown up now.  Grown indeed very high; among the great you are, and I have no longer any fear at all for any of you.’” (974 Tolkien)

So Bombadil has a purpose, a very important one!  He, and the other guardians, is there to guide and teach the hobbits.  They could be seen as instructors, easing the hobbits towards self-reliance.  The guardians are crucial to the plot.  In part, Lord of the Rings is not just a story of good versus evil, epic battles, or virtue, but a story about growth.

The Folly of Saruman, Afterthought

I just thought of something new, regarding Saruman of many Colors.  He is a traitor or ‘turncoat.’  He also does ‘turn-coats.’  What is interesting in this concept is its deep symbolism.  Not only are all colors weaker than white, and not only does Saruman change “coats,” but his “coat” also changes color continuosly.  It is comparable to his constant change in loyalties.  He feigns loyalty, for a time, to the White Council and the side of good.  He later feigns loyalty to Sauron.  But in truth he is only true to his own pride and desires.  Throughout his role in Middle Earth, he is continuously shown as playing both sides, skirting the edges, hedging his bets.  In some ways, having many colors, does the same.  It shows a deepset insecurity in his stature.  Not only does he have to dominate every color (ie Maiar/istari), he has to be every color.  He resents others gifts and talents.  This can be seen, to a small degree, in his taking up smoking and taking an interest in the Shire, like Gandalf.

Like Gollum, and even the Orcs, Saruman is to be pitied.  He has nothing, except, perhaps, his “coat.”  Otherwise, he is only a shrivelled up corpse inside, as is shown at his death.  Yet even then, some part of him remains, regretting his choices and yearning to the West he’s denied.