Chapter by Chapter: Re-reading the Trilogy
Organized by Onomir, commentaries by Celedor and occasionally others, gathered from the community reading 2007-2008
Book 1: 1 2 3 4-6 7-10 11-12 Book 2: 1-2 3-4 6-7 8-10
Book 3: 1-2 3-5 6-7 8-11 Book 4: 1-3 4-6 7-8 9-10
Book 5: 1-2 3-5 6-8 9-10 Book 6: 1-2 3-5 6-7 8-9
Prelude to a Read:
I remember when I first read the books I couldn't stop and had to keep
reading until I was exhausted at the end of the day. How wonderful it
was when I discovered the joys of reading a chapter at a time and
letting each chapter roll around in my head before moving on to the
next. (One reading I particularly enjoyed was when I was at college and
didn't have my books with me. I walked back and forth a mile or so to
the library where they had a brand new Alan Lee illustrated set and
read a chapter each day. After the struggles of school each day, it was
nice to send my mind to another world with different issues for the
duration of the walks - especially the walk home in the dark.) - Celedor
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Onomir introduces the Read:
My dear friends from near and far, WELCOME!
Preparations are about finished and there is a place for everyone to
join in the party. Even those that do not like to wander far from the
hearth and keg can enjoy this, our FIRST Read through together, of the
Professors Work;
~~THE LORD OF THE RINGS~~
It is always best to start at the beginning, the old Gaffer says,
so STARTING SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, By Shire Reakoning, we shall share
our thoughts, during the following week, on the FORWARD AND PROLOGUE
through SATURDAY THE 29th.
Beginning Saturday the 29th we shall begin sharing our thoughts, during the next week, of CHAPTER ONE "A Long-expected Party".
Yes observant reader, that does entail reading the Forward, Prologue, and Chapter One straight away!
The discussion of CHAPTER TWO "The Shadow Of The Past" shall begin October 6th, and so on.
Topics of discussion are open to all. Brainstorming as it were.
(Please do not make me bring in the GREEN Mop)
Mayhap; Weather, Foods, Smells, Character Quirks, Humor, Sceeery Bits,
Songs, Clothes, Pipeweed, Foods (We Likes Food Precious), Armory,
Spirituality, Ale, Ale, (See Foods), Landscapes, Geology, Astromomy,
and so on, to name a few.
There shall be GIFTS, as is proper Hobbit custom, to those that
participate on a regular basis. I shall see to that, but to do so I
shall need your BagEnd Address. You can drop me a note here as a
private message or send me a note.
So my dear friends, light your pipes, draw an ale, pour a tea, put out
some cakes and pickels and let us listen while the Professor takes
there and back again, again.
"This tale grew in the telling, until
it became a history of the Great War of the Ring and included many
glimpses of the yet more ancient history that preceded it. It was begun
soon after The Hobbit was written and before its publication in
1937".....
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September 22nd Arrives:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAGGINSES!!!!! SPEECH SPEECH!!!!
Well my friends the day is upon us and although I do not have a speech I would like to speak regarding;
Concerning the Forward
I am holding a Silver Jubilee Edition of LOTR The Fellowship Of The
Ring, Printed for the American Market by Ballantine, which was
Tolkien’s American Publisher at the time, April 1981 to be precise. To
this Edition the Forward was intended.
The Forward was written for this book by Tolkien before he went to
be with his beloved forever in 1976, if I am not mistaken or ill
informed.
He ends the forward by saying that this, The 25th Ann. Edition was
done with his consent and so we can be assured that it is as He
intended it.
Right from the onset of the forward I am amused by JRRT when he
wrote that he did this work to satisfy him and had little hope that
other people would be interested. I think he is just being modest
because later he mentions that people expressed a desire to know more
about Hobbits from Reading the Hobbit which was published decades
earlier.
The FACT that this was a writing experiment of linguistics and
writing a long tale that would hold the readers interests seems also a
statement of JRRT’s modesty.
I have always held the notion that he knew perfectly that this tale
would be the literary successes that it is. Why, because no writer in
History had ever attempted or finished such an auspicious endeavor
before.
As a simple writer myself I find comfort in Tolkien’s telling of how
the story came to him in bits and pieces and that the end was finished
before much of the body of the work. I find that usually the case for
myself and writers I have spoken with.
And the book WAS too short indeed!
He raises a point still debated by readers of Allegory. He denies
and explains his purpose quite well and dispelled any attempt to do so
and his dislike of such a tool, as it were.
I laugh every time I read his comment about those that did not like
his book and how did not like theirs as well…..Writers envy…I
guess…..to each his own as the saying goes.
So gentle readers, I hope you will share your thoughts as well.
I also would like to mention that the letter written by Peter
Beagle dated 14 July 1973 is wonderful and at that time in History my
Brother Jimbobaggins and I were traveling and hitching around the
Western States of America in True Hobbity fashion. Details of that
summer are fond indeed and the subsequent Sept 13 1973 we found
ourselves in a military barracks….for many years. I first read The
Hobbit Sept. 1967 for an English class and remember still the shivers
and Goosebumps that the tale in Mirkwood, with the Spiders, gave me. I
still think of it every time I see a spider web in a tree….kinda stuck
with me. The LOTR followed over the next year because of an Awesome
English teacher name Schmelling, who also was a Sherlock Holmes fanatic
and got me into writing and using my imagination, which came in handy
during the Sixties….I had good teachers.
I shall write later this week concerning the Prologue.
And remember, Real Ringers Read The BOOK, often.
- Onomir
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So much has been said, and argued, about
Tolkien's motives and meanings, and The Lord of The Rings itself has
been sometimes shoved to the back by purists who would claim the
Silmarillion as his premier masterwork, that is is salutary to read in
the Foreword Tolkien's own avowed aim in writing The Lord of The Rings;
'The prime motive was the desire of a tale-teller to try his hand
at a really long story that would hold the attention of readers, amuse
them, delight them, and at times maybe excite them or deeply move
them...'
Tolkien is not just revealing the details of a secret fantasy
world, but telling a story. He is one of the greatest storytellers of
literature. Today, when narrative is sort of out of fashion, and
aimless films and books abound, we should hail a reteller of epics to
match Homer or the Beowulf poet.
However, this is a long story, and it 'grew in the telling'. Tolkien
begins the Prologue with the sentence; 'This book is largely concerned
with Hobbits'...''
But is it? There are four (five if you count Bilbo) hobbits in the
story, and two are its principal heroes, but the book is not largely
concerned with hobbits. It is an epic about a war, and with all sorts
of people, men, dwarves, Elves....and Frodo and Sam are central to the
story not because they are hobbits but because they are heroes.
The Shire brackets the story, it is true, being the setting for the
initial events and the final epilogue with the Scouring and final
farewell of Frodo. But the unique character of hobbits, although it
makes The Lord of The Rings a very special book and raises it above
just 'fantasy fiction' (there is no such convincing creature in any
other fantasy fiction - hobbits have entered our vocabulary and our
everyday world) still Frodo could be Everyman; his actions and his
thoughts, not always typical of hobbits, are what matter.
But the opening chapter 'Concerning Hobbits' sets a homely, whimsical
tone very much in keeping with that of The Hobbit, which began with a
hobbit dwelling in a hole in the ground. It is amusing introduction,
practical, long-winded, digressional, chatty, humorous, good-natured
and very much like the following;
'...when hobbits first began to smoke is not known, all the legends and family histories take it for granted....' and so on.
The Lord of The Rings will take us a very long way from this happy
land where genial, not very bright rural people enjoy their parties and
family gatherings and the gentle wheeling of the seasons. It will bring
us to an altogether more terrible place;
From this;
:-D
'(Hobbits) ...laugh, and eat, and drink, often and heartily, being
fond of simple jests at all times, and of six meals a day (when they
could get them) They were hospitable and delighted in parties and in
presents, which they gave away freely and eagerly accepted...'
To this : 0.o
'The last stage of their journey to Orodruin came and it was a
torment greater than Sam had ever thought he could bear. He was in
pain, and so parched that he could no longer swallow even a mouthful of
food. It remained dark, not only because of the smokes of the mountain;
there seemed to be a storm coming up, and away to the South-East there
was a shimmer of lightnings under the black skies. Wost of all, the air
was full of fumes; breathing was painful and difficult, and a dizziness
came on them, so that they staggered and often fell. And yet their
wills did not yield, and they struggled on....'
There and back again, indeed....
- Varda
-
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I love this line,
"Some who have read the book, or at
any rate have reviewed it, have found it boring, absurd, or
contemptible; and I have no cause to complain, since I have similar
opinions of their works, or of the kinds of writing that they evidently
prefer."
I am so glad I read Christopher's books on the making of LOTR with all
the character developments etc. Strider was Trotter, a hobbit that wore
wooden shoes because his feet were burned by the enemy until half way
through Book 2 where he became a man but didn't become Strider until
ROTK was almost finished.
Like the forward says, he had to rewrite and type the book in reverse to correct all the changes over 25 years. Hard to imagine.
The complete distain for his story by his contemporaries is now
laughable but had to weigh heavy on him during those years. A professor
writing a fantasy novel, how contrite! And how famous are those men
today? Right.
Thanks for setting this up Bro. The link to read on line is very cool.
Also to note, that having read LOTR for the first time just before
PJ's movies came out and since that time having read so much Tolkien
and all the wonderful tales created by the talented people in Middle
Earth (you guys), now reading LOTR for the third time, in my minds eye
I can see the museum in Michel Delving, the tall hobbit houses in
Tuckborough, the 3 elven towers west of the Shire, Edoras, Minas Tirith
and all the environs of the tale. This makes each visit to the book
that much more enjoyable so a thanks to all of you for keeping The
Fellowship alive. - Jimbo Baggins
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Before we move on to Chapter One, I wanted to say a word or two about the Prologue.
As I was reading it this time around, I was strongly reminded of the
first time I read it -- I was in 7th or 8th grade, as I recall, and I
had heard a lot about the tale, and was eager to read it. So I checked
it out of the library and plunged right in.
The Prologue, however, kept referring to Bilbo, and a previous
tale, and the further I got into it, the more I realized I was going to
have to read that one first! The intriguing references to other lands
and peoples and histories was calling to me to come, visit -- but even
then I was keen on reading things chronologically. So, with a sigh, I
put down LotR and went back to the library to find The Hobbit.
When I was finally able to pick up the tale again, I reread the
Prologue. Some of the things that intrigued me then -- and still
do! -- were the references to other works, such as Merry's Herblore of the Shireand his Old Words and Names in the Shire. I always wanted to read those as separate works. And the reference to Findegil, King's Writer, who made a copy of Translations from the Elvish,
always made me wish I had a copy of that great work, that dealt with
the Elder Days! Thankfully, that work eventually found its way into my
hands, as the Silmarillion.
If nothing else, the rereading of this tale is bringing back all those
fun feelings of anticipation I had as I read for the first time.
Tolkien was a master at putting in little comments that foreshadowed
greater things to come -- even in the Prologue!!
I am looking forward to getting into the chapters now; it will be
great fun to relive those memories, as well as to discover those new
things I missed in the other umpteen hundred readings I did before.
There is always something new to discover in this tale, which makes it
worth reading over and over again. - Linaewen
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Some thoughts on the Prologue.
The account of Hobbits lives in ‘Concerning Hobbits’ is one of my
favourite parts. Hobbits take life at a leisurely pace , enjoy
community activities, like celebrating birthday parties etc The Shire
is a place I have always felt I could be at home in. I know it is not a
true depiction of the lives as lived by farmers, agricultural labours,
their families generations ago and whose lives held many hardships as
well as simple joys too. For me Tolkien’s shire is the ideal place with
ideal people. It is as if I were looking back at a bygone age through
rose tinted glasses. Yet there is much I can relate to as well. There
is still a good community feel where I live now, neighbours will help
you out, take care of the elderly etc except, it not so easy to escape
from the dangers and fears of life now.
In many ways I truly think I want to be a hobbit in the Shire just
because it helps me to be a child again, to feel safe from the outside
world, not to have to grow up and take responsibilities,. Do the things
I wished I could do as a child eg parties every week and you get the
presents too. Eat as much as I like and no worries caused by the latest
medical bulletin on diet and good health. Feel safe to enjoy a walk in
the fields and woods which I often did with my sister and friends when
we were young and mum wasn’t at home fretting about our safety. And to
take off our shoes and socks and go barefooted without mum telling us
we would catch a cold (which she often did or to wrap up warm etc.).
The Shire is my place to day -dream in.
Like Linaewen, I also wished Tolkien had said more about Merry’s
book ‘Herblore of the Shire‘. It is all so intriguing. The flora of the
Shire and lands beyond is my special interested at the moment.. I am
making a scrapbook on this topic. I love the way Tolkien called the
Hobbits after flower and herb names. It is also touching that one
Hobbit lass is called after, I guess, his daughter Priscilla. Prisca
Baggins who married Wilibald Bolger is a cousin of both Frodo and
Pippin. The name Priscilla is apparently a nickname, meaning "little
Prisca . St Prisca was a martyr.
Daisy Gold ... a hobbit from the Shire
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THE CHAPTERS
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING
1:
Because it's a book I repeatedly read, and I
wish not to ruin those readings, I have a strict rule that I'm not
allowed to browse favorite passages from LOTR but can only read it
cover to cover. Therfeore, I usually enjoy the later chapters more than
the early ones, because I've worked more to get there. That said,
chapter 2 may be my favorite chapter in the book. I think it's one of
the best written parts of the book at least. It's the heart of the
book.
When I first read FOTR, I was about ten years old or so, and the
timespans in this chapter threw me, because I couldn't grasp "nine
years later" which Tolkien casually tossed out there. Now, at 32, I can
understand it better, and the chapter reads much better for me.
The Ent reference in the chapter is always fun for those of us who
know what's coming; but the backstory and quest set-up presented here
steals the show.
2:
I remember how the first few times I read this passage it puzzled me
greatly. I had just grasped the concept of the Ring putting processes
in motion, and so I'm thinking, "oh the Ring chose Bilbo". Then Tolkien
throws this curveball at me: Bilbo was chosen but not by the Ring.
But now it's clear to me what it means. It's the first line eluding
to the religion or cosmology of Middle-earth, if I'm not mistaken.
Certainly it's an important quote that will get more meaning as the
story progresses.
3:
Just finished chapter three:
This is the first time I've read the books since seeing all the films,
so I can't help but pretend to look at it from the perspective of
someone who has seen all the films but is reading the books for the
first time; because I know there are these people out there, and it's
great fun to see how the approach works.
Going at it this way, of course, the reader knows what's going on
with Gandalf, what the black riders are all about, and what the Elves
are up to. But I think that makes it only more interesting to read it
from Frodo's ignorant perspective and get his thoughts on the matter. I
also liked discovering that Pippin's song from the third film comes
from this chapter, though I'm guessing the tune here is more cheerful.
I also discovered something I never really thought about before but
noted as important this time around: Sam's story about the black rider
talking to his dad in Hobbiton. Notice what Tolkien does here: he takes
Sam out of the story for a brief time so that the character can later
add a vital piece of exposition out of chronological order. (I know
this last sentence comes off as a boring and stuffy analysis, but hang
with me here.)
Tolkien knows it's important to keep the Black Riders mysterious
and scary, so he's not about to give us all the info on them at once.
He begins with Frodo overhearing part of a conversation between a Rider
and Ham Gamgee. But we don't know what the creature looks like or what
he's saying. Then later, we meet the creature in a frightening road
encounter, but nothing in the encounter identifies it the species Ham
was talking to. At this point, Tolkien pulls Sam out of his bag; the
hobbit not only explains this is what his dad's "pal" looked like, but
gives us the other half of the conversation we heard earlier. By
finding a way to play with chronology and giving us this information
out of order, Tolkien has made the exposition much more interesting and
has created a far more enjoyable tale for us to read. Tolkien must have
liked doing this, because as the tale progresses, he makes greater use
of the device, even going so far as creating separate "books" for his
characters so he could really take it to the next level.
(On a sidenote, if I can skip to many chapters ahead, I've heard and
read the comment that Boromir's final battle with the orcs is not
"shown" in the books; the man is simply discovered dying. I disagree
with this. While it is true we do miss the battle the first time
around, when we are with Aragorn at the beginning of The Two Towers,
we later we see Boromir's final battle through the eyes of Pippin when
the hobbit's chapter comes up. Once again, Tolkien is finding a way to
play with chronology to tell his tale in a more interesting way;
something he does better than any other author I've read. He knows it's
more shocking to stumble across Boromir dying and more interesting to
fill in the missing part later.)
On a final note, I must say I am happy that I read these books so many
times before seeing the films; because with the Harry Potter series,
the characters from the films are starting to enter my mind when I pick
up those books. That's probably because I only read those once before
the movies started. But with The Lord of the Rings, my own characters
pop right up in my head whenever I start reading. I'm glad of this,
because they're like old friends, and I wouldn't want Peter's
characters to replace them. They're also my own characters, and it's
great to bring something of myself to the book. And, lastly, I like the
idea of Peter's interpretation adding something to my life and not
replacing something. - Celedor
I was rushed through 3 but came away with a few thoughts.
Sam and Pippin meeting the Elves is fantastic. So mystical in the
description about the elves shimmering as they walked and the dream
like state the two hobbits fell in swooning on a lifes ambition to not
only see elves but be talking with them!
Frodo comes off as a very mature hobbit knowing just enough
elf-speak to impress them and of talking about the events taking place
outside the shire. Very wise. - Jimbo
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4, 5 & 6:
This chapter in "War of the Rings" was fun. The characters at that
time, Bingo, Bongo or whatever played a great trick on Farmer Maggott.
Using the ring Bingo (Frodo) came into his house invisible, and the
others were talking, eating and he picked up a beer mug 
and Maggott thought it was floating, witchcraft. Getting even for
setting the dogs on him a long time ago. Much changed, for the better,
in the end. Farmer Maggott really was a stout, good fellow and had the
most wonderful mushrooms!
Chapter 5...
I love the description of the lighting around Bucklebury, Crickhollow,
Brandyhall and the Ferry. It's like looking at a Thomas Kinkade
painting with soft diffused light.
The Conspiracy were very well travelled in and around The Shire and
made great traveling companions on the quest. They were not always the
bumbling fools as made out in the Movies.
The end of 5 is so beautiful. Frodo sees and feels in his dream
the pull of being a Ring Bearer into the West. Seeing all these early
chapters for the first time since reading Christopher Tolkien's books
makes little things like this really stand out. I think the Tower,
light and thunder are metaphors for Mt Doom?
I keep falling asleep trying to read Chap. 6, The Old Forest. The spell
of the woods and the heavy feel of the forest makes me drowsey. I'll
have to read it earlier in the day and not at bedtime. - Jimbo
Book 1, Chapter 5: A Conspiracy Unmasked
This is a really weird chapter in that it has exposition I've always
taken for granted: Merry and Pippin know what's going on, and they're
coming with. I assumed as much the first time I read the book, even if
I didn't know the details. So I always forget about this chapter,
because it seems a bit redundant to me, even though it's not. One
delight for me this reading is to see how Tolkien takes the first time
reader by the hand in the early chapters and gently leads him through
the setup of the story. It's something I didn't appreciate as much as I
should have when reading the second through twelfth times or however
many it's been.
I've also been noticing this reading how much work the
screenwriters for the films did; you can see where they had to rewrite
and restructure things from scratch, and you can see where they took
parts of the text and moved them around, sometimes even to the second
or third films.
On one other note, aren't the dreams in these early chapters so much fun to read when you've read the books before?
Book 1, Chapter 6: The Old Forest
The clearly defined boundary between the Shire and beyond is really
well done. Hearing the gate clang is a definitive moment that works so
well.
This is the first chapter that having Fonstad's Middle-earth Atlas
starts to pay off. You can see exactly where the hobbits travel and see
where they're going wrong.
I love how the characters speak like real people, without pandering
to a camera or giving out exposition or comic lines all the time. They
bicker amongst themselves in a real way, and talk about their adventure
as we would. "We might. We might succeed in roasting Pippin alive
inside."
This part of the book strongly reminds me of The Hobbit, with it's
series of unrelated whimsical adventures. Lots of fun. - Celedor
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7-10:
Book 1, Chapter 7: In the House of Tom Bombadil
This is so much like reading The Hobbit:
good guys and bad guys that are not united... the ring being more a fun
toy than a symbol of doom, an enemy leading to a friend... even a silly
poem at the end to summon Tom should danger arrive. It's great fun
reading these parts since the rest of the road - and the movies - are
so different.
Book 1, Chapter 8: Fog on the Barrow Downs
I didn't really care for this chapter this time around, though I
don't think it's ever done too much for me anyway. Finding the road
again was always the part I liked. The description of Frodo in the
barrow is creepy and fun, though.
Book 1, Chapter 9: At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
"a dark figure climbed quickly in over the gate and melted into the shadows"
I love that little detail, because even people rereading the book are
likely to think, "Oh, a black rider," though it's proven later that
it's not.
Fonstad's Atlas of Middle-earth once again proves valuable, with
lots of geographical exposition at the beginning of this chapter making
more sense with her maps. But beyond that, it's a great help with the
Prancing Pony itself. When I read and look at her floorplans, I feel
like I'm really looking at the actual site - of which the movie was
based off of - and I say to myself, "Wow, Frodo was standing right
there!" and get excited, because I know exactly how big the room he was
in was, where the fireplace was, what the moulding looked like, etc. It
makes it more real to me.
I've always enjoyed this chapter, but this reading I really got
into Frodo's song, which I'll admit I never got into before. I like how
Tolkien wrote it as the setup to the nursery rhyme.
I also liked how the tension is built up at the end of the chapter, with two meetings set up for Frodo.
Book 1, Chapter 10: Strider
Funny note: Exactly six years ago yesterday (as of this writing), the Aragorn commercial for FOTR began airing. My recap:
"The Ring of Power," Gandalf says over shots of Frodo and the Ring," "It has been found."
"What must I do?" asks Frodo, praying someone will say, "Stay home and eat seed-cakes."
"The Ring must be destroyed," says Elrond, dashing his hopes.
"If by my life or death I can protect you," says Aragorn as images of him are shown, "I will."
"How do we know him as a friend?" asks Merry. Stock action music starts up.
"His Name Is ARAGORN," a card says.
"He is Aragorn," Legolas tells those of us who have gone blind, "heir to the throne of men."
"You have my sword," says Aragorn, not saying whether he wants it back or not.
"HIS STRENGTH WILL PROTECT THEM," a card assures us.
"Are you frightened?" asks the ranger.
"Yes," Frodo squeaks.
"Not nearly frightened enough," says the heir to the throne of men, "I know what hunts you."
And we see Aragorn and the nazgul in action as Frodo shouts, "Aragorn!"
A voiceover ends it with "The Lord of the Rings, rated PG-13, starts December 19."
To the chapter: I love the details, particularly the story details
in the book that make the narrative so rich; like Sam wanting to stay
with local hobbits and wondering how he'll battle the evils of
Middle-earth when a big three story building scares him. Also, I like
how Tolkien explains that the hobbits stay in the parlour room for the
night. For some reason, that point never stuck with me before. I knew
Frodo and company didn't stay in their own room, but if you would have
asked me before this reading what room they did stay in, I wouldn't
have been able to name it. But more importantly, as details go,
Gandalf's letter is (and always has been) a favorite part of "Book 1"
for me, and it's great to see it back in the story after not being in
the film (or films, as Bakshi didn't do it either.) Personally, I'm
inclined to believe the letter was a strong reason why Frodo trusted
Aragorn - certainly it helps the reader trust Aragorn.
This is a fun chapter! Gandalf's back in the story - via his
letter, Merry is having adventures, Aragorn has much to say, and
Butterbur comes forth with some backstory, and it all converges in that
one room, where everyone brings their information to Frodo.
Merry gives us more rich details left out of the film: the black
riders are in league with some of the men of Bree. The hobbits ask
Aragorn if the Black Riders will attack the inn and he replies, "No, I
think not. They are not all here yet. And in any case that is not their
way. In dark and loneliness they are strongest; they will not openly
attack a house where there are lights and many people... But their
power is in terror, and already some in Bree are in their clutch. They
will drive these wretches to some evil work."
I also love the little plot point, "they are not all here yet,"
which becomes a key thing coming up - indeed, key at the beginning of
the next chapter, but also beyond.
Hmm... now I'm thinking of pulling out Unfinished Tales and reading
"The Hunt for the Ring" to get the other half of the Ringwraith story. - Celedor
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11-12
Book 1, Chapter 11: A Knife in the Dark
Once again, I love rediscovering the details of the story; like why the
Nazgul were split up and the fact that the Nazgul attack doesn't take
place on top of Weathertop, but rather in a dell. I had forgotten that,
and I think I like these details because I think of the book as a real
adventure that happened and the movies (Bakshi's and Jackson's) as
"based off the true story". It's fun to actually be there and see what
really happened.
Speaking of Bakshi's movie, I can't help but notice he stayed much
closer to the text in this early part of the story than Jackson did;
that's not a knock against Jackson - who I think did a lot of work
intentionally to restructure the story and give it a different tone to
more better adapt the story to film and set up the later films - I'm
just strongly reminded of Bakshi when reading these chapters. I notice
that Strider, particularly, is much different than Viggo's portrayal of
him. He's always laughing, and he's constantly sharing old tales and
legends with the hobbits, being sort of like a school teacher in a lot
of ways. It's great fun to listen to him talk about the history of
Middle-earth. (And unlike Viggo, the guy is constantly talking!)
Anyway, the knife in the dark: an exciting moment. It's one of
those key moments I remember vividly from when I first read the books.
Today I appreciate how well the chapter was written and how well the
attack was handled by J.R.R.
I especially love that, unlike the Jackson movies (again, no
disrespect, because movies are different) the Black Riders aren't seen
clearly for the most part. In the previous chapters they're felt more
than seen, and mostly they're either seen in the distance as vague
shapes or, better yet, not seen in the distance, though everyone
expects to see them. Tolkien understands horror. In this chapter, the
hobbits see vague shapes closing in on them, like deeper darkness in
the general darkness. And then when Frodo puts on the Ring (which
Jackson did do similar to the book), it's really frightening to see the clearly. Tolkien did such a fabulous job with the Nine.
Book 1, Chapter 12: Flight to the Ford
I commented before how Bakshi's Lord of the Rings seems a more accurate
portrayal as to what "really" happened in the first half of The Fellowship of the Ring.
It is especially true with this chapter - Glorfindel aside. Bakshi
probably handled this chapter better than he adapted any other chapter.
And it's been a while since I've watched his movie, too; but this
chapter so strongly reminds me of his film, with even subtle movements
by Frodo at the Ford matching.
The book, of course, has more details than any movie could and
continues to have gems that will probably be untouched by any
adaptation, be it radio, film, or tv: such as Sam's song about the
Trolls. Love it. It seems Tolkien was a fan of the song "The Fox Went
Out": http://www.songsforteaching.com/folk/thefox.htm
The fox went out on a chilly night,
He prayed for the moon to give him light,
For he'd many a mile to go that night,
Before he reached the town-o, town-o, town-o,
Sam's song:
"Troll sat alone on his seat of stone,
And munched and mumbled a bare old bone;
For many a year he had gnawed it near,
For meat was hard to come by. Done by, Gum by!
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Book 2: Chapters 1-2
Book 2, Chapter 1: Many Meetings
Also known as Chapter 13
I always have loved this chapter, because Gandalf appears and answers all the questions raised in the first half of The Fellowship of the Ring.
Gandalf is like Spock is to Star Trek, Doc Brown is to Back to the
Future, and Hermione and Dumbledore are to Harry Potter: he's a guy
that can quickly and painlessly explain what's going on without the
reader second guessing him; a real asset to the writer. He even
explains the closing of the previous chapter, which happens very
differently than the movie, I see.
"Earendil Was Mariner" is my favorite poem or song in all the books. I also love Tolkien paints it like a dream Frodo is having.
Love the introductions of Elrond and Arwen. I've got a soft spot
for The Hobbit, so Elrond - and Gloin and Bilbo- bring back great
memories. It's especially fun listening to Gloin and Bilbo talk and
find out some extension to the material covered in The Hobbit.
As for Bombur being so fat it takes however many dwarves to carry him,
I'm not quite sure whether this is supposed to be comical or sad.
I also love reading from Frodo's point of view for much of Fellowship of the Ring,
and I'm reminding myself to enjoy it now, because in the next two books
the narrative shifts more to the other hobbits' point of views, as
Tolkien tries to make Frodo a more distant character.
Anyway, time to wear something nice! I'm about to attend the Council of Elrond. What a chapter that is.
Book 2, Chapter 2: The Council of Elrond
I must admit that in my prior readings I found this chapter to be a
chore because of its length. It's not that I disliked it; I just found
parts of it very long winded. This time, however, I was really into
every word. The Elves, Dwarves, Men, Gollum: we learn what all of them
are up to, setting up the rest of the story. Moria, Isengard, Rohan,
and Gondor are all fleshed out too, laying the foundation for the
second half of this book, as well as TTT and ROTK. I can see why
reading this chapter the first time can come across as needlessly
expositional, with the reader not paying too much attention to these
places. "We're going to Mount Doom, not Moria, right?" But it's one of
those chapters that's fascinating upon rereading the tale (or reading
this after seeing the film.)
There's a little more talk of "Providence" in this chapter -
"Called, I say, though I have not called you to me, strangers from
distant lands," Elrond says. "You have come and are here met, in this
very nick of time, by chance as it may seem. Yet it is not so. Believe
rather that that is is so ordered that we, who sit here, and none
others, must now find counsel for the peril of the world." When I first
read the book, these hints were too difficult for me to grasp, so I
sort of ignored them and moved on. As I get older, I find these
statements more fascinating.
I love Gandalf's line, "the power of Sauron is still less than fear makes it."
It was brave of Tolkien to stick this in, because it was important
to make the reader believe Sauron's great power, but Tolkien still puts
it in as a reminder that fear makes enemies bigger than they really
are: which adds to the reality of the book, because we all know that's
true. (Tolkien makes the books seem very
real by sprinkling stuff like this in throughout. That's why I wanted
to cite an example. Had he been a "professional" author, rather than an
author by hobby, he probably would have been under pressure to do
things more "properly", which would have led to books than might be
more slick, seem more "made for tv" or have had more dramatic tension -
but they would also feel less realistic.)
The above was my fumbling way of trying to get across a point. I
wish I could articulate it better, but hopefully it made some kind of
sense. 
I guess this chapter only leaves one question: Why was Spock not
invited to the Council? Elrond mentions that Bilbo has not had time to
put his adventures "into verse", but Spock has! Actually, I wish I
could insert myself into the Council, seek permission to tell Bilbo's
tale at the appropriate time, and perform "The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins"
just to get everyone's reaction. Of course, Elrond would have pointed
at me and then to the door... but hey, it would have been fun.
Especially if I had my bassoon with me. And maybe a few of you as
backup singers.
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Book 2, Chapter 3: The Ring Goes South
Once again, Thank you Mrs. Fonstad for your wonderful Middle-earth
Atlas. May you rest in peace. I was never really able to grasp the
journey and distance the Fellowship had in this chapter before, but
with Fonstad's Atlas, Pp 164, you see the exact path - much of the
early portion not covered in the book. And that makes Sam's line about
"I'm beginning to think it's time we see that fiery mountain" make more
sense.
Notice we get less from Frodo's POV here and more from Sam's POV.
When Tolkien was writing this, I think he was beginning to like Sam
more and more in FOTR.
Changes, changes... Peter changed much to adapt the book to film, and here are some I was reminded of this reading:
Boromir's a jerk in the books. Maybe jerk isn't right. He's the
"football star", the big man on campus in Gondor. He's closed minded,
used to getting his way, getting all the girls, and thinks he's all
that. I joked in another post that if the TV show Lost was turned into
LOTR, Sawyer would be Boromir. The son of Gondor in the book leans that
way. The Fellowship is going to start the journey in secret, so Boromir
takes out his horn and blows a note that echos throughout the
mountains. Elrond tells him "slow you should be to wind that horn
again," and Boromir talks back to him. He's just not the kindly
troubled man from the film.
Aragorn gets his sword fixed in this chapter. Also, unlike the
film, Aragorn wants to journey over the mountains and Gandalf wants to
go to Moria.
I especially like how, unlike the film again, the book allows all
the characters to have some development early in the journey. We hear
from all of them; they tell us what they think of the travels so far,
where they would like to go, and what they think will happen. And
knowing that they'll all split up before too long, I'm relishing this
part of the journey, and the various interactions between them.
Unfortunately, a film doesn't have time to really do much of this.
One last change is that the filmmakers wanted Caradhras to be
controlled by Saruman, which makes sense for the movie, since you want
to keep your antagonists involved. In the book, of course, it's teased
that Sauron is behind the snow, but everyone more or less comes to the
conclusion that the mountain itself is evil and trying to drive them
off. This is similar to the idea of the "evil forest" and "evil mounds"
from before. I really like it, because I've done a lot of hiking
through forests, mountains, and other areas, and it's easy to believe
that you're in a spiritual entity that has great power over you; and
you're hoping it lets you pass.
It's very similar to parts of "The Hobbit". Hmm... someone should make some movies out of those books.
Book 2, Chapter 4
: A Journey in the Dark
I remember reading this chapter in college and going out for a walk to
clear my mind afterwards. As I walked down a street for the first time,
I saw, engraved the sidewalk, a copy of the first illustration in this
chapter. Being that this was in the 90's, and Lord of the Rings wasn't
all that popular at the time, to say I was beyond surprised. Indeed,
I'll confide that I said, "mellon" and half expected the doors to open.
Another interesting tidbit: before the films came out, I wrote a piece
about the lead characters in the three movies for theonering.net. I
mentioned that it was Merry who solved the riddle at the Gate - which I
admit is an exageration. The interesting thing is that I know some of
the actors read the piece, and on the Actor Commentary Dom repeats that
it's Merry who solved the riddle. Perhaps my article at theonering.net
had nothing to do with this, but I can't help but wonder if it did.
Anyway, on to the chapter.
It's very different from both Jackson's film and Bakshi's film,
full of rich detail and great character exposition. It's fun to have
all the main characters together and to hear the bickering of the big
folk (I love Boromir's inpatience and needling of Gandalf: "But do not
you know the words, Gandalf?" Boromir asks. "No!" replies the wizard.
"Then what was the use of bringing us to this accursed spot? You told
us that you had once passed thorugh the Mines. How could that be, if
you did not know how to enter?") as well as the thoughts of the little
folk, as they talk about the adventure. ("My heart's right down in my
toes, Mr. Pippin," said Sam. "But we aren't etten yet, and there are
some stout folk here with us. Whatever may be in store for old Gandalf,
I'll wager it isn't a wolf's belly.") And I had completely forgotten
about the attack by the wolves. It reminded me of The Hobbit.
While reading, I was greatly aided in reading the chapter by having Fonstad's Atlas (as always) and
Tolkien's illustration of the Moria Gate. Tolkien is the only one that
ever gave the area such majestic cliffs, matching the description in
the book.
Tolkien, as previously touched upon, also included two illustrations
here. And boy did that come out of nowhere! I admit after hundreds of
pages of text, it's still a bit surprising to suddenly see two
drawings.
I had also forgotten how long (and how well written) this chapter
is. It seems like three chapters in one. The wolves, the Gate, Moria,
Gimli's Khazad Dum chant, and Balin's tomb.... it's a lot of stuff. I
especially love the shafts of light in Moria.
Anyway, I could linger and talk about a lot of things I like, but, like Gimli, I must move on.
Book 2, Chapter 5: The Bridge of Khazad-Dûm
What a chapter!
It's one of those they just can't capture realistically on film. I think it's because there are such magical elements
to it, it doesn't feel as real at the theater as it feels to actually
be there - as indeed I feel like after reading Tolkien's brilliant
writing and using Fonstad's invaluable maps.
I hope those fumbling words made some sense.
This is like a Dungeons and Dragons adventure gone wrong. We're in
a dungeon with bad guys all over, we have Gandalf trying to do a door
shutting spell, and an evil "boss" creature appearing - and we're
trying to escape with a treasure intact.
It's funny how Tolkien remarked in the last chapter that Moria was
so much more frightening a place than the worst imaginings of the
hobbits... because quite frankly he hadn't painted that scary of a
picture. I found the Old Forest much more frightening. But here in this
chapter, he's a master scary story teller; who doesn't get chills when
Gandalf reads the record of the colony? And then you find out about
their bad end, and suddenly you realize the Fellowship is caught in the
same trap?
I only regret that I can't read the chapter again for the first
time, as Gandalf taking out the bridge and then falling into the abyss,
both shocked the heck out of me the first time around - and made me
realize there was no turning back: this was a dark tale that was only
going to get darker. It was not "The Hobbit II".
MithrandirCQ inquires:
I am curious to know about how my fellow Ringers felt about this
climactic confrontation between Gandalf and the Balrog. I had the same
feelings when I read it the first time. However, when discussing it
with people who had their first reads of this chapter, the feeling was
"OK, but the character is too important so he'll be back somehow". I
was wondering if this true for you and others well. For me, the first
time I read it I had no inkling that Gandalf would come back. Perhaps
being drawn into the story too deeply I could not relate to the "big
picture" of the plot story.
Celedor:
I had no clue he'd be back. Of course, I was only ten when I first read
the books, so I had not become the jaded, cynical soul I am now. Like
you, I was into the moment and not looking at the big picture.
Rohirrim Eored: I read The Hobbit for 7th or 8th grade English
and really enjoyed it. I didn't read LOTR until after the Fellowship of
the Ring came out. I freaked when Gandalf "died." I was really upset.
My husband thought I was nuts when I yelled out, "No! Gandalf can't
die!" Then I burst out in tears. (thank goodness we had rented the
movie, lol) I took the movie back to the video store and told the lady
at the counter that I couldn't believe Gandalf was dead. She smiled at
me and said, "Don't worry, he comes back. Read the book." Of course, I
did and it still made me sad reading that part (among others) but I
kept at it and was overjoyed to "see" him return.
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FOTR Book 2 Chapter 6: Lothlorien
Well, here in southeastern Wisconsin we've had quite the whacky weather
this week. First, we had temperatures in the 60's, then we had tornados
destroy a couple towns (skirting the edge of mine), then thunderstorms,
and now we're getting a snow. It's Wisconsin, where if you don't like
the weather you just wait and it'll change.
Despite this, I read this chapter outside, something I like to do
with Tolkien. When the chapter takes place by a river, I like to find a
river and read there. When it takes place in a forest, I find one of
those. This chapter had both, but I was unable to travel to either.
However, the weather cooperated, giving me a winter's day with a hint
of spring, just like the Fellowship had as they entered Lothlorien. It
made the reading more realistic. I like to smell the air and hear the
wind.
This is a transitional chapter. We don't get the heavy drama of the
the Bridge of Khazad-dum, nor do we get even meet the Lady or enter the
main city yet. We're traveling. We're grieving. We're meeting.
I have to admit that my memories of this chapter differ slightly
from the real deal. I always thought Boromir had great objections into
entering Lothlorien, but in the actual text he's almost content to let
Gimli object for him. He does have one line saying he wishes not to
enter, but apart from that Boromir's hardly in the chapter!
If he has any objections to sleeping in flets, crossing rivers by
way of ropes, being blindfolded, being led be Elves, or visiting Elvish
mounds, it hasn't been recorded here. It's easy to forget he's part of
the Fellowship.
Other things that caught my interest this reading:
There are lots of Gollum hints.
Sam's line before going to sleep is really funny.
Legolas' song is great but seems to have pieces missing.
"[Aragorn] left the hill of Cerin Amroth and came there never again
as a living man" is a line very similar to the bit about Bilbo putting
on the Ring and never being seen by a hobbit in Hobbiton again. I love
lines like these.
Book Haldir strikes me as similar to movie Haldir.
I like Tolkien's poetic descriptions of Lothlorien and the descriptions of how Frodo and Sam feel there.
The Fellowship traveled a long way in this chapter, according to my
atlas. And indeed, a careful reading shows they covered a lot of
ground.
I think I like these transitional chapters more upon rereadings.
They don't stick in the memory as much as the big stuff, so I notice
details in them I had forgotten. It's also fun to set aside weighty
issues for a time and just enjoy site-seeing in Middle-earth.
Book 2, Chapter 7 - The Mirror of Galadriel
I'll mention again: I don't browse passages in The Lord of the Rings,
because I don't want to make reading it cover to cover to be less
enjoyable. Like Frodo and Sam, I either take the whole journey, or like
Fatty Bolger I don't go at all. No shortcuts!
Because there have been times I've been interupted in my readings,
I have had some false starts where I haven't been able to finish the
book. And thus each chapter I read is more enjoyable for me, because
I've read it less times than the previous one.
If there was a chapter I'd love to browse or reread, it would be this one. It's one of my favorites - probably the
favorite of FOTR. And no film has come close to doing it justice. The
book does an especially nice job of explaining what "the test" is,
whereas Bakshi's and Jackson's films reference it, but it's like
looking at a piece of a jigsaw puzzle without being able to see the
picture on the box.
Tolkien really loves to show us bits of the story from the past,
present, and future, doesn't he? He uses dreams, the Mirror of
Galadriel, and the Palantirs to do this. Peter Jackson was wise to make
all of these a part of the films. It certainly empowers Sauron, whom we
encounter here for the first time.
Anyway, my favorite part of this chapter is the dialague, which is very rich. Tolkien was such a great writer.
MithrandirCQ:
I was always intrigued by the fact that
Galadriel, in testing the Fellowship's resolve is tested herself by the
"smallest of creatures". I was not aware of the true effects of the
ring on Frodo until I read this chapter and the dialogue he has with
Galadriel. He sees farther than most already when tempered with what he
must bear. Sam sees a star but Frodo sees Nenya, the Ring of Adamant. I
remember having a hard time with Galadriel. Like Arwen, she seemed
ethereal and other-worldly. It has always been a longstanding criticism
on Tollers and his development of the female characters (or the lack)
in his stories. "He makes his women no matter what their rank the most commonplace of stereotypes". I felt in the case of Arwen and Galadriel that this was true.
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Book 2, Chapter 8 - Farewell to Lórien
When I began this chapter, I was thinking, "Oh, I remember this as a
transitional chapter... one of those filler chapters designed to take
you from one good spot to another one, but not as good itself." What I
had forgotten is that while it is a transitional chapter, it's one of
the better ones. I loved it!
The chapter is mostly about delaying the company's decision as to
where to go next, and I would like to comment on that. When I first
read the books, I didn't see it as a decision: the quest was to go to
Mount Doom, so I figured that's where they should go. When I reread the
books later, I knew where everyone was going, so I didn't think about
the decision either. This time (and maybe recent readings too) I've
begun to understand the decision and its difficulty more. Indeed, I can
now see a bit of logic in going to Minas Tirith. Afterall, Frodo didn't
just take to Ring into the wild and head towards Mordor; he went to
Bree, then Rivendell, then Moria, then Lothlorien. Those are
strongholds of Men, Elves, and Dwarves, and with the exception of
Moria, Frodo was offered aid in each place. Minas Tirith would seem to
be another good stop along the way... at least, you can see why some
members of the Fellowship would think so. Especially since they could
stay on the western shore of the Anduin. (And if Osgilliath is retaken
by men, it seems like a perfect plan.) It would solve Aragorn's dilemma
nicely, too.
Of course, there are reasons not to go to Minas Tirith, but I've
always understood those reasons. It's nice to finally understand the
other point of view.
Along the same lines, I want to mention that I think Tolkien was
very clever with his geography - specifically the Anduin River - in
forcing the Fellowship to make a decision as soon as possible (as
Celeborn lays out) and having that decision be so clear and visible:
west side of the river, the safe side, or east side of the river, the
dangerous but neccesary side.
Speaking of Celeborn, I remembered him as somewhat an idiot, but
that may have been influenced by Jackson's and Bakshi's films, where he
doesn't come off too well. He's actually very Lordly, and Galadriel
treats him so. There's no question he's the lord of the land. And I
love his reproach of Boromir: "But do not despise the lore that has
come down from distant years; for oft it may chance that old wives keep
in memory word of things that once were needful for the wise to know."
Everytime I read LOTR, I notice something I didn't notice before.
This time, I noticed the Fellowship were not just given cloaks, but
they were given hoods with them. So that's where Aragorn's hood that
gets shot came from!
"To that fair land Frodo never came again." There's another of those great lines that I love.
Book 2, Chapter 9: The Great River
As an avid outdoorsmen who has spent many years canoeing and portaging
in the wild, this chapter is a delight for me. You can tell Tolkien did
the same, because his writing is so realistic to someone who has
actually done the things he’s talking about. The same is probably true
for other passages, such as those about battle and war. Someone can
study about these things in a text book all they want, but only the
person who has experienced them can capture the spirit and emotion of
those involved in a realistic way.
Funny exchange: Sam tells Frodo he saw a log with eyes. Frodo says, “The log’s all right, but leave out the eyes!”
When I reread LOTR the second time (I think), I was surprised
Aragorn knew about Gollum following the company. I was thinking, “Frodo
should tell Aragorn”, but I was rereading the book, and so I “knew” it
wouldn’t happen... and then it does! Well this time I learned something
even more. Whether I had forgotten it in previous readings, or I just
didn’t pay enough attention, I don’t know. But I finally see that,
before too long, the whole company knew Gollum was following. So
anyway, that’s a new bit for me this time around.
I’ve been on many lakes, rivers, and streams, so I know what it’s
like to battle them when they’re not friendly. Tolkien describes it
really well. (There have been times I’ve been on such large lakes, and
the shorelines stay so distant, I’ve wondered if I was on some sort of
perpetual rowing machine.) I do have to admit I’ve never had Orcs
shooting at me while I’ve paddled. Frightening. Oh, by the way, it
seems the Elves have discovered kevlar canoes.
Gimli and Boromir have some fun needling each other here. Love it.
I’m almost convinced Legolas does not have golden hair after
reading this chapter. Famously, there’s the quote: “Frodo looked up at
the Elf standing tall above him, as he gazed into the night, seeking a
mark to shoot at. His head was dark, crowned with sharp white stars
that glittered in the black pools of the sky behind.”
Some people say that his head is dark here because it’s night, and
I used to somewhat buy that. But reading the chapter this time around,
I noticed how clear Tolkien was that the night was not that dark: “The
stars were strangely bright.” and later: “in the star glimmer they must
have offered their cunning foes some mark.” He paints the scene like
everything had a shimmer, so I would have to believe a blonde Legolas
would not have a
dark head.
You know, I must have watched too many LOTR movies, because I had
forgotten the appearance of the Argonath wasn’t majestic... but rather
scary. Still, it’s great to see them. It’s like visiting the Statue of
Liberty or Mount Rushmore. Maybe someone should write a Middle-earth
fanfic inspired by National Treasure and the Da Vinci Code, where
someone has left clues in the famous Middle-earth landmarks, and Fatty
Bolger goes in
search of them.
One last thought: while I don't recommend the first time reader do
this, this reading I am looking at exactly where each member of the
Fellowship is every page I read. Thanks to Fonstad's Atlas, it's like
each Fellowship member has a GPS on their backs, and I can tell right
where they are. It's really interesting to see how close Gandalf is in
this chapter! It's also fun to see Tolkien hinting as this through the
eagle.
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Book 2, Chapter 10: The Breaking of the Fellowship
I'm reading the traditional three volume LOTR set at the moment, just
like I was the first time I read the books. I'll never forget my shock
when I was finishing FOTR then... I thought it was an independent book,
and in this chapter it seems like things are drawing to a close. Then
BAM! The Fellowship breaks. I didn't see that coming.
The conversations (before and after Frodo asks for his time alone)
are fascinating upon rereading LOTR, because we see several different
alternative futures for the Fellowship: like Aragorn, Gimli, Frodo, and
Sam breaking off to destroy the Ring, and Boromir's idea of world
conquest.
And then the reality that happens is a shocking twist that propels
LOTR to the next level - setting up my favorite part, the first half of
TTT, "Book 3".
Finally, I'll say I love the closing lines of the book, a touching conversation between Sam and Frodo.
--
Before we embark into The Two Towers, I would
like to have a head count as to how many are yet in our Company Of
Readers.
Join US
Read with US
What say YOU?
As Elrond said, no bond is upon any one. Go as far with us as you may.
Read and or write as you will.
I am thankful for each of the Company and hope everyone is enjoying Professor Tolkiens lay of this wonderous tale.
May the blessings of Elves, Men, and all Free folk be with you.
- Onomir
As Sam would say, I'm coming with! But that should surprise no one. - Celedor
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THE TWO TOWERS
Book 3, Chapter 1: The Departure of Boromir
Short chapter, but very good.
I like that we get a chapter from Aragorn's point of view. Lines like,
"Hobbits go light, and their footprints are not easy even for a Ranger
to read, but not far from the top a spring crossed the path, and in the
wet earth he saw what he was seeking," give us great insight into how
he views the adventure. Actually, I'd like it if Tolkien would dig
himself up from the grave and rewrite LOTR from the perspective of the
other characters. He could do the whole story again, but this time each
chapter would be from a different character's viewpoint.
Speaking of which, have you ever wondered how LOTR was written? I don't mean the real
way it was written, but the ficticious way. I always imagined Frodo
talking to Merry, Pippin, and Sam, and then getting some additions from
Aragorn and Gimli, and maybe a few others. Even Gandalf gets some
thoughts into the narrative, so he must have given an interview too.
I'm not quite sure how the questioning fox got into the story: “'Well,
what next? I have heard of strange doings in this land but never of a
hobbit sleeping out of doors under a tree. Three of them! There’s
something mighty queer about this!' And he was quite right – but he
never found out any more about it." Since the hobbits didn't see him,
and he never found out about the adventure, it doesn't fit into my
theory. But I don't really lose sleep over that.
You know, I sometimes used to wonder how the heck the Orcs got such
a lead on Aragorn and company. Now I understand better, seeing all
Aragorn had to do before he could even start the chase. Still, I keep
trying to tell him, "hurry up, hurry up, or you'll never catch those
Orcs!"
It is fun to see Aragorn work out the riddles and figure out which
hobbits were captured, and what happened with the remaining hobbits.
I also love how the geography again plays such a role in the story.
Finally, Boromir's redemption here is touching, as is the poem about him not returning to Minas Tirith.
Onomir: I always find the TTT chapter one The Departure
Of Boromir, to a critical hinge in the tale. Not only that it brings
separation for the Company but it places Aragorn on the path to Minas
Tirith for good. Also the brave Hobbits find themsleves taking stock
and rising to the challange that each must face Together But Alone.
Book 3, Chapter 2: The Riders of Rohan
I remember how boring I found this chapter the first time I read it. My
heart was with Frodo and Sam, it seemed like Merry and Pippin were
having some interesting stuff happen to them, and here I was stuck with
the three characters to whom nothing was happening to. Gimli, Aragorn,
and Legolas chase after Merry and Pippin and get clues along the way as
to what happened to them; well my reaction is, "wouldn't this be much
more exciting to get from Merry and Pippin's viewpoint?"
Now I know better: this is a "mystery" chapter, where we are given
riddles and we must try to figure them out - with some help from
Aragorn. Also, I now have Karen Fonstad's Atlas of Middle-earth,
and the chapter makes so much more sense with it - at least to me.
(It's fun, at any rate, to know exactly where Merry and Pippin are as
the three hunters chase them.)
This chapter is the beginning of the Gimli/Eomer Galadriel debate that I love.
I also love the following exchange:
"The world is all grown strange. Elf and Dwarf in company walk in
our daily fields; and folk speak with the Lady of the Wood and yet
live; and the Sword comes back to war that was broken in the long ages
ere the fathers of our fathers rode into the Mark! How shall a man
judge what to do in such times?"
"As he ever has judged," said Aragorn. "Good and ill have not
changed since yesteryear; nor are they one thing among Elves and
Dwarves : and another among Men. It is a man's part to discern them, as
much in the Golden Wood as in his own house."
Those lines are so Tolkien, because he put such an effort into
making his Middle-earth familiar and believable before introducing us
to its magic. He knew the magic would than seem so much more magical.
And he reminds us that good and ill are still good and ill in
Middle-earth.
Another interesting line: "I mark them," said Aragorn. "But I marked also that this old man had a hat not a hood."
This line is great, because it shows how well Aragorn pays
attention to detail. But I've always found it odd that Saruman was
described by Eomer as hooded and cloaked, and then he's wearing a hat
here - which is then commented on by Aragorn. Does anyone know why
Tolkien did this? Did he want first time readers to wonder if it was
Gandalf at first?
Anyway, this is the first appearance of Saruman in the Lord of the Rings, and I thought it was very well written.
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Chapter Three;
See the Orcs Run
Run Run Run
- Onomir
Book 3, Chapter 3: The Uruk-Hai
At last: a Pippin chapter! It's a very well written chapter that
greatly educates us as to the character of the two hobbits and the
Uruk-Hai.
I especially love the bit about how the hobbits exit the circle made by
the Riders of Rohan without the Riders being aware. And it's fun to get
the answers to the other riddles set up in the last chapter.
The fight between Eomer and Ugluk is fun, because we now know both characters so well.
All that said, this is a very dark chapter too, and I have to say
it's not the most enjoyable for me. It's the darkest time for Merry and
Pippin, in my opinion, because they're captives, cut off from all their
friends in a country they don't know. It's a scary situation, and
running into Fangorn, lost and hungry doesn't seem much of an
improvement.
Book 3, Chapter 4: Treebeard
This chapter went smoother for me this reading than previous readings,
where I remember it as taking ten years or so to complete. (I
exaggerate, but it is a very long chapter with many plot points.)
I particular, the time with Quickbeam is much shorter than I remembered.. they only spend a couple pages or so with him.
It's interesting to hear Merry's describe Isengard. It's even more interesting to hear Treebeard talk about Saruman and Gandalf.
Throw in some good poetry, a bit of dramatic tension regarding the
Ents' decision, and the ongoing tour of Middle-earth, and you've got a
good chapter.
I am a bit sad that Merry and Pippin's time on their own is now
over. I always enjoy it so much, and this time it went by so quickly.
Book 3, Chapter 5: The White Rider
Dominic Monaghan said in an interview that he thinks Gandalf is a great
character, because the books always seem more alive when he's there.
He's right. And this chapter is like a kick in the pants: Gandalf
is back, and along with him, excitement. Not that the first few
chapters of TTT are bad, but they do lack that "umph" that Gandalf can
give. In fact, I read an article in the local paper about writing for
tv shows, and they interviewed people who had written episodes for
various tv series. The writers all began talking about the importance
of the "answer men" character, a role Spock had in Star Trek; the guy
who always can explain everything and give it credibility. Gandalf is
the "answer man" in LOTR, and Tolkien's writing is better when he's
around. This chapter was very well written - the best in TTT so far. - Celedor
Onomir: For me this chapter becomes a slingshot and propels the story for all involved.
I read it some weeks ago and now can re-re-read it again and on to some
others...I can never just read One chapter....The Hunger!
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*Cue Rohan music*
Book 3, Chapter 6: The King of the Golden Hall
This is one part of the story that, in my opinion, the films greatly
improved. Whereas Tolkien just sort of suddenly gives us Rohan and
Saruman, Jackson spent the whole first film setting up Saruman and
spent the first part of the second film setting up Rohan. In the films,
we see Saruman changing Isengard, building an army, and sending them to
kill the Fellowship and capture the hobbits. We see Eomer become an
outcast, Wormtongue taking over, and Theodred's death. All this happens
offstage in the book.
I also don't like, in the book, the ease at which Gandalf gets Theoden
from Wormtongue's side to his. Theoden has been listening to and
believing Wormtongue for quite some time, and Gandalf simply asks
Theoden to step outside and see that there's some daylight. Theoden
then says, "It's not so dark" and puts his trust in Gandalf. I prefer
the film's method where Gandalf literally frees Theoden from Saruman's
possession.
That said, there's a lot of good in this chapter too. The opening
description of the Edoras is well written; and if you have the Alan Lee
illustrated version of the book, you can see everything in the
description while you read about it.
I also love the war of words between Gandalf and Wormtongue. Grima calls out Gandalf when the wizard says he comes with aid:
Quote:
"What aid have you ever brought,
Stormcrow? And what aid do you bring now? It was aid from us that you
sought last time that you were here. Then my lord bade you Choose any
horse that you would and be gone; and to the wonder of all you took
Shadowfax in your insolence. My lord was sorely grieved; yet to some it
seemed that to speed you from the land the price was not too great. I
guess that it is likely to turn out the same once more: you will seek
aid rather than render it. Do you bring men? Do you bring horses,
swords, spears? That I would call aid; that is our present need. But
who are these that follow at your tail? Three ragged wanderers in grey,
and you yourself the most beggar-like of the four!"
And just when it looks like Wormtongue has a point, Gandalf turns to Theoden (and in my vision, raises and eyebrow) and says:
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late."
And he points out: "Has not the messenger from your gate reported the
names of my companions? Seldom has any lord of Rohan received three
such guests. Weapons they have laid at your doors that are worth many a
mortal man, even the mightiest."
I love this sort of verbal volley.
Anyway, on to the physical volley!
Book 3, Chapter 7: Helm's Deep
Just for the record, this is my first reading of the books in five years.
This is a very fun chapter to read in the shadow of the films, because
it's so different than how it was portrayed on the big screen. I'd
forgotten many of the details, most notable that the "Riders of Rohan"
aren't riding behind Gandalf at the close; they're on foot! Also, the
layout of Helm's Deep is somewhat different than the film's version,
which makes the cave stuff more dramatic. The caves are quite far back
and not connected to the fortress. Also, I noticed the gorge is called
Helm's Deep and the fortress is called the Hornburg, though I kind of
recalled that. The films can be forgiven for simplifying it for the
masses.
On that subject, as with the other chapters, I'm using Fonstad's
Atlas a reference. She has a special "Helm's Deep" battle map, which I
don't believe I've used before.
Tolkien was very good at writing battle scenes, because he figured
out what it took the filmmakers a while to learn: stick with the lead
characters and let the audience see the battle through their eyes.
Anyway, good stuff all around here.
DrSpin98: How interesting it is to read so many learned
readers' takes on the books. One I do feel compelled to disagree with
though is the statement of how well Tolkien pens a battle scene. I
think to me those scenes are some of the most poorly written and
frustrating parts of the books.
Just goes to show how different people can have different takes
after seeing/hearing/reading things. One of the many cool things about
art.
Celedor: Well, you know the funny thing is I disagree
with myself sometimes, too. Upon one reading, I'll really like one
chapter, but another reading I won't like it so much. As far as the
battle scenes, they frustrated me a lot the first few times I read
them, but now I love them.
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The Road to Bali?
The Road To Singapore?
NO
The Road To Isengard!
Happy Trails!
- Onomir
Book 3, Chapter 8: The Road to Isengard
This is a very odd place in the book, because there's just been this
great release of tension, and now there are quite a "inbetween"
chapters before we get to Frodo and Sam.
This chapter, specifically, is one of those transition chapters,
taking our heroes on the road to get them to the next point in the
story. Tolkien tries to make it interesting by having Gimli talk about
the glittering caves, and that works.
But, that said, this isn't the most interesting chapter to reread,
because the mystery is "what's happening in Isengard," with Gandalf not
wanting to say; and that's much more interesting to read the first time
around when you don't know yourself. I will say, it's funny to see how
Gandalf acts in this chapter; after being anxious the previous chapters
and deeply worried about the west you can tell he's not concerned about
Rohan or Saruman much anymore. He wants to turn his attention eastward.
And he's not about to provide explanations... which is convenient for
Tolkien, who wishes to keep things mysterious.
"If you would learn that, you should come with me to Isengard ' answered Gandalf.
"To Isengard?" they cried.
"Yes," said Gandalf. "I shall return to Isengard, and those who will may come with me. There we may see strange things."
"But there are not men enough in the Mark, not if they were all
gathered together and healed of wounds and weariness, to assault the
stronghold of Saruman," said Théoden.
"Nevertheless to Isengard I go," said Gandalf. "I shall not stay there long. My way lies now eastward."
On a final note, this chapter has bits from The Two Towers film at
the beginning, and bits from The Return of the King film at the end!
Book 3, Chapter 9: Flotsam and Jetsam
The great have gone off to discuss important matters, and happily we
get a fun little break here where the Fellowship reunites and fill each
other in on what has happened.
Later on, in Return of the King, when Frodo and Sam reunite with
the rest of the Fellowship, Tolkien tells us how they gathered in a
room and talked about all that happened to them, but we don't get any
of the conversation. Tolkien just says something like, "And they talked
long into the night." It drives me mad, because I want to hear all they
have to say! I also wanted a Faramir/Frodo reunion which never happens.
Fortunately, in this chapter, we get most of the conversation between
Merry and Pippin and the three hunters - and Tolkien keeps it
interesting by adding to the story and telling us exactly what led to
Merry and Pippin being where we found them, and why Treebeard was on
the north side.
I also like this chapter because it's very "unmovie-ish". You'd
never see it in a film adaptation; it's a very book kind of thing.
Book 3, Chapter 10: The Voice of Saruman
I've always enjoyed this chapter. Saruman's voice represents some of
Tolkien's best writing. Firstly, Saruman is a great spinner of facts.
He could be a Republican here in the U.S. (I know there are
conservative people out there reading this who don't share my disdain
of this political party, so I apologize if you're one.)
Quote:
"Well?" Saruman said now with gentle
question. "Why must you disturb my rest? Will you give me no peace at
all by night or day?" Its tone was that of a kindly heart aggrieved by
injuries undeserved.
And at the same time, Tolkien brilliantly describes magic. As a writer,
he doesn't feel the need to use special effects, put on a light show,
or make the magic flashy. His magic is more subtle. As a good writer,
he uses words to paint the magic:
Quote:
The 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. When others spoke they seemed
harsh and uncouth by contrast; and if they gainsaid the voice, anger
was kindled in the hearts of those under the spell. Fur some the spell
lasted only while the voice spoke to them, and when it spake to another
they smiled, as men do who see through a juggler's trick while others
gape at it.
Hey, one little detail I had forgotten: the door to Orthanc does not
face the gate (in the south) it faces east. I love the descriptions of
Orthanc; they make me feel like I'm actually there, standing next to
Merry and Pippin.
Here's an odd thing; for some reason I had this memory of Pippin
complaining about not being close enough to see Saruman and Gandalf do
their exchange, but he was actually complaining about being so far from
the gate, where he wanted to slip away to. It's fun to find out, after
a dozen readings, something different.
Finally, it's a bit sad to see Merry and Pippin say goodbye to
Treebeard. This chapter really makes it seem like a large chunk of the
story is coming to a close. Really, it's the resolution to the breaking
of the Fellowship... all the way back in the first book. And the
interesting thing is back then when they were debating where to go:
Mordor or Minas Tirith... the one place everyone agreed they had to
avoid, hence the Mines of Moria, Lothlorien, etc... was Isengard! And
that's where they all met again.
Book 3, Chapter 11: The Palantír
This could really be the first chapter of the Return of the King. It's
the start of the next tale, and Tolkien is such a tease to put it here,
just before taking us back in time and finally changing to Frodo and
Sam.
You know, Fellowship of the Ring is a great book, though it's sort
of a D&D quest, and Return of the King has some powerful moments.
However, the first half of TTT to me is what turns the Lord of the
Rings into something special; it does the dirty work that makes the
tale more than a Dungeons and Dragons quest and sets up those great
moments in ROTK giving it something to pay off. In my opinion, Book 3,
while not the crowd pleaser, is the heart of these books, even if the
Ring-bearer's quest is the heart of the tale. At the beginning, I
always wish we could follow Frodo and Sam, as they seem to have the
more interesting lot at the breaking of the Fellowship. By the end of
this chapter I'm saying, "No, no, no! Let me stay with Gandalf! Or
Aragorn! We can't stop this part of the story now!"
On one other note, after all that happened in the preceding
chapters, it's a bit odd to have Merry and Pippin back with Aragorn and
Gandalf (and Legolas and Gimli), just like old times. I mean, inbetween
we had Gandalf die, the remainder of the Fellowship grieve, the
Fellowship break, Boromir die, Merry and Pippin captured, all the Ent
stuff, Helm's Deep, the Voice of Saruman... and now we're back to
Gandalf having conversations with Merry and Pippin like he does in this
chapter (which I quite enjoyed).
Also, it's fun to know that Sauron is mistaken at this point and
will likely be confused when he sends a black rider to Saruman, whom he
thinks has a prisoner.
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Book 4, Chapter 1: The Taming of Sméagol
Reading this chapter is a major culture shock after reading the
previous; after all that happened, it was difficult enough to think
about Gandalf and Aragorn back journeying with Merry and Pippin; now I
have all the momentum of the preceding chapters in my head, and I have
to go back in time to a short time after the Fellowship broke up and
begin a new story with Frodo and Sam that has to build its momentum
from scratch. It's difficult to do!
Instead of Orcs, Wormtongue, or Saruman serving as the villain, the
antagonist or challenge here is, at first, simply the geology! I tried
to pay closer attention to it this time than in the past, and I found
it really interesting. I think I have a better picture of it in my mind
than before.
Meeting Gollum was great. I tried to put myself in a virgin frame of mind, where I hadn't met him before (with the exception of The Hobbit,
which is really Bilbo's journal and not the most realistic of accounts)
and where, like the hobbits, I thought that dealing with him would be a
tricky puzzle, as killing him would be wrong, but having him ahead or
behind isn't a good idea either. It felt like I was meeting him for the
first time; that the film's Gollum was a movie star "playing him" but
this was the real deal, and it was fascinating.
I also read with interest that Frodo initially calls him Gollum (to
his face) but then switches to Smeagol. Then Gollum starts calling
himself Smeagol. But Sam - and Tolkien - still call him Gollum.
Meanwhile, Gollum begins to swear on the Precious by saying, "we" but
switches to "Smeagol"... apparently leaving Gollum out! It's
interesting little dance with the names.
Lastly, I notice that most of the chapter is from Frodo's point of
view, more or less, but Sam's getting more and more thoughts into the
narrative.
Book 4, Chapter 2: The Passage of the Marshes
I continue to find the geography and geology interesting, because for
whatever reason, I wasn't getting it before and now it's clicking. I
understand where Sam and Frodo were having trouble before meeting
Gollum, and I understand how Gollum got them out of it.
It's interesting to speculate how Aragorn would have done as their
guide rather than Gollum. Would Aragorn have gone taken northern lands
and been killed by Orcs as Frodo and Sam were captured, such as Boromir
and Merry and Pippin? Or would he have tried to find a way through the
marshlands? At the Council of Elrond Aragorn talked about how he had
traveled in all the lands near Mordor, and how he captured Gollum along
the skirts of the Marshes; therefore, I have to believe he could have
taken them along the same paths Gollum did. But at this point, Aragorn
is riding from Fangorn to Edoras, so I guess it doesn't matter. What
would the hobbits have done without Gollum? Certainly they would have
taken the northern road to the gate, and they would have been captured.
The description of the barren lands before Mordor matches the descriptions of the battlefields from World War I.
"Dreadful as the Dead Marshes had been, and the arid moors of the
Nomen-lands, more loathsome far was the country that the crawling day
now slowly unveiled to his shrinking eyes. Even to the Mere of the Dead
Faces some haggard phantom of green spring would come. But here neither
spring nor summer would ever come again. Here nothing lived, not even
the leprous growths that feed on rotteness. The gasping pools were
choked with ash and crawling muds, sickly white and grey, as if the
mountains had vomited the filth of their entrails upon the lands about.
High mounds of crushed ans powered rock, great cones of earth
fire-blasted and poison-stained, stood like an obscene graveyard in
endless rows, slowly revealed by the reluctant light."
This chapter has the opposite POV of the last; it's mostly from
Sam's perspective, with Tolkien giving us Frodo's viewpoint from time
to time as an aside. Frodo is becoming a more distant character as a
result; and the readers' inclination is to empathize more with Samwise
from here on.
Anyway, onward I go.
To think that Frodo's long quest to reach Mordor is one page away.
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Book 4, Chapter 3: The Black Gate is Closed
You know what's interesting about this chapter? Frodo, Sam, and Gollum
basically spend the entire chapter in one place, and the contents of
the chapter is what they say, see, and what Frodo is thinking. I don't
know of any other chapter in the books, offhand, that's like this.
Usually our protaganists are constantly on the move, trying to get some
place, hide, or fight.
I've always loved it when Gollum takes them to the gate and says,
"See, you can't go any further," and Sam responds, "Then why did you
bring us here?" Gollum says, "You told me to!"
In the Return of the King director's commentary, Peter, Fran, and
Philippa talk about how in the book, Frodo tells Gollum early on that
the Ring must be destroyed, but I don't believe this is so. It's not
true at the Black Gate where Sam says something like, "Good thing he
doesn't know, or there would be trouble." Actually, I think we readers
sometimes take the quest for granted and don't realize that it's
actually a big secret that not even Sauron realizes until it's too
late. Most don't know about the Ring, of course, and some who do don't
know how it can be destroyed. So as readers we can't take for granted
that the Ring is being taken to Mount Doom and everyone knows it,
because only a very, very few do.
There's a connecting point in this chapter; Tolkien tells us that
Gandalf is at the foot of Isengard talking to Saruman as Frodo looks
over the Black Gate. This cross referencing is fun, because The Two
Towers is like two separate books.
It's powerful to read about Frodo's musings of whether Gandalf has
entered Mordor. He thinks not and realizes he, a little hobbit, must
enter where the great dare not go. And then, unexpectedly (especially
since I had forgotten) the chapter ends on a light note, with Sam
bringing up the Oliphants, and Frodo says laughs and says,"I wish we
had a thousand oliphants with Gandalf on a white one at their head.
Then we'd break a way into this evil land, perhaps." And Frodo doesn't
even know he's the White Rider now!
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Book 4, Chapter 4: Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit
Jackson has mentioned that he included this in the films because it was
a particularly memorable chapter that even people who have not read the
books in twenty years usually recall.
And speaking of recalling, I recall a dream I had last night where I
was reading on ahead, ten, twelve chapters beyond this point, and I was
worried because I hadn't yet posted here what I thought of the
chapters. Tell me, am I too obsessed with this board when I dream about
it?
A note on Faramir: I know there was some grumbling when The Two
Towers film was released about his character being changed; I wonder
what people would have thought had his character been eliminated? I
must admit, when reading the books from the point of view of a
scriptwriter trying to adapt it, Faramir is a character that is more
easily tossed out than others. His part in Frodo's story is a detour
while Frodo is journeying from the Black Gate to Cirith Ungol; his part
in Gollum's motivation to betray Frodo isn't all that neccesary with
Gollum being perceived as evil already, and his part in The Return of
the King isn't all that important. With the Lord of the Rings already
having too many characters and subplots for a film adaptation to begin
with, you can see where someone else might have left him out. Instead,
Jackson chose to expand his part and give him a character arc; he
begins with his allegience on his father's side, and then he learns
better and does the right thing. The films are probably richer for it;
certainly the books would have suffered a great loss had he not been
part of them. He's not only a great connecting point between books 4
& 5, he's also important for Eowyn's sake.
Back to matters at hand: while this is a memorable chapter for me
as well, I enjoyed reading it, because I had forgotten many of the
details.
I especially like how well Tolkien handles Gollum here. You can
understand his dilemma in that he wants Gollum to be Frodo's guide
before and after the Faramir stuff, but he doesn't want Gollum to be
with Frodo and Sam during the Faramir stuff... so he has to find a way
to write him out of the story. He does it well.
I enjoyed hearing Faramir's men talk among themselves and Frodo and
Sam. Usually we don't hear the regular folks in this story; we hear
from Kings, counselors, Elrond, Galadriel.. those sort of people. Not
the regular lunch box toting joes who go out and do the regular work.
Here, we hear the two regular Gondorians just shooting the bull. "Those
**** southerns, curse them!" and talking about what it's like in Gondor
at the moment.
Lastly, the Oliphant moment, set up by the last chapter, is one of the great parts of the books.
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Book 4, Chapter 5: The Window in the West
This is the "getting to know Faramir" chapter.
You know, in the original Two Towers shooting script - and in the
theatrical cut - Faramir talks about "showing his quality", which now I
see comes directly from the book. But in the film the line is taken out
of context, and Faramir is a different character, and so I don't think
it made much sense in the film. Then, in 2002, the filmmakers shot a
pickup scene that introduced Denethor, and they thought it would make
more sense of the line if Dad were to say, "A chance for Faramir to
show his quality." The scene, and the way he says it, is just what the
film needed. Faramir's quality line suddenly makes perfect sense.
Anyway, that was just a thought I wanted to throw in.
The Window in the West fascinates me, because it's part natural and
part not. The men redirected the river and used it's old tunnel. And
what's more, the redirected river works to protect and hide them.
I also loved Faramir teaching us all about Gondor, Rohan, and
Numenor. (The Rohan stuff is especially nice, as it connects this half
of the book to the first half.) Numenor was one of the earliest LOTR
creations by Tolkien, I believe, predating the books. I find it more
fascinating for that reason.
I also think this chapter helps us understand Boromir more. He was
the sports star in the school where sports are considered the biggest
deal. Sure, it's okay for a sports star to be in the band, and it's
nice for them to have other interests; but a person in the band or
honor society who isn't a football star isn't as high up on the totem
poll as one who is.
And then Boromir journeyed to other schools; Rivendell, Lothlorien,
etc. And they don't care about sports (a metaphor for his great battle
ability). They care more about art and music and other interests, and
those people are held most lofty. You can tell why Boromir didn't like
these lands and wanted to get back to Minas Tirith, and avoid places of
magic.
Funny thing: the first time I read the book, there was so much to keep
track of by this point, it didn't sink it that Sam had told Faramir
about the Ring. Maybe I didn't even let it in the second time. Either
the second or third time I remember reading the book and suddenly
realizing Sam had blurted out the Ring in this chapter, and I thought,
"WHAT?! He just told Faramir about the Ring?!"
It's also touching when Frodo says, "I must find the Mountain of
Fire and cast the thing into the gulf of Doom. Gandalf said so. I do
not think I shall get there." and then collapses.
Book 4, Chapter 6: The Forbidden Pool
This chapter has become more sad for me as I have aged. There's
something worse about betraying a thing that cannot understand what's
going on and why it's happening than something or someone that does;
that the betrayal is neccesary to save its life makes it even worse.
I remember watching a nature show once where this animal was raised
by a person who lived in the wild, and they had become great friends.
But eventually the man was going to leave, and he needed to show his
friend that humans could not be trusted, so he had to betray him. I
could hardly watch, knowing the betrayed was not only hurt (on the
inside) but confused as well - and would remain that way the rest of
his days. The man, of course, too was hurt - as is Frodo in this
chapter.
I think a lot of fans try to write Gollum off to make this chapter
easier; they try to believe that he was always wicked and will always
be wicked. They try to believe he could never be saved. Some want to
believe that he deserves what he gets, and Faramir says something
similar. I would point out, however, that Tolkien went on the record
saying Gollum could be saved, and he was very close to repenting.
That makes the betrayal more sad.
"We are lost, lost. No name, no business, no Precious, nothing. Only empty. Only hungry: yes we are hungry."
Well, now it's time to leave Gondor. I seem to recall the chapters
ahead are some of the darkest in the book - at least they were for me
in the past.
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Book 4, Chapter 7: Journey to the Cross-roads
Like the one before it, this is a rather short chapter. And here lies
the break between Jackson's second film and third film, starting in the
second and then ending in the third.
And, this is the first time I will have read the end of this book
and The Return of the King since seeing The Return of the King film
adaptation.
I have to say: I don't think Jackson really changed all that much
by having Faramir take the hobbits to Osgiliath. While they never go
there in the book, he takes them not far from there. There have to be
other times in the films our heroes don't journey exactly where they do
in the books. (For example, Frodo and Sam take a straight shot from the
Tower of Cirith Ungol to Mount Doom in the films, as opposed to the
book where they travel almost to the Black Gate, turn east, and then
finally travel south to Mount Doom.) Yet Osgiliath gets all the
attention as a "change". It's probably because it's a name and a
noticable set, as opposed to an unnamed path or landscape. But that
said, it's not a big change.
I did find it interesting that Gollum's line in the book, "Nasty
place, full of enemies" doesn't refer to Minas Morgul, as the film has
it, but rather Osgiliath!
I also notice Jackson changed the chronology a bit here, as at this
point Aragorn is already taking the Paths of the Dead, Merry is in
Theoden's service, and Gandalf and Pippin are.... just a few leagues
away! Indeed, as Frodo innocently walks south, Gandalf and Pippin are
rounding the mountains just on the other side of the river. If they
each had flare guns, they could see each other. If they had cell
phones, they arrange a meeting in just a couple hours. That would sure
change the story, wouldn't it? ("I don't think Tolkien knows about cell
phones, Pip.") The story is better as it is, but my mind reels at the
thought that Frodo, Sam, and Gollum are just walking in the wilderness
a little bit away from Gandalf and Gondor, and apart from the river,
there's no real barrier, like Moria or Cirith Ungol, stopping these
groups from meeting up.
Anyway, the darkness has begun. The enemy has blotted the stars and
sun out of the sky... almost. Tolkien teases us with one last bit of
light - literally and figuretively, at the close of the chapter. Now
comes, to me, the darkest part of the Lord of the Rings.
Book 4, Chapter 8: The Stairs of Cirith Ungol
I love this chapter. It has everything. I can tell why both Bakshi and
Jackson used a lot of the stuff here for their films, even transferring
some bits to other parts of the story. It's one of the best written
chapters in the book.
Let's start with Minas Morgul: creepy! It's one of the few places
Tolkien describes from afar that we don't actually visit. Usually, when
something is seen afar - such as the Tower of Cirith Ungol in this
chapter - our heroes eventually end up there in the story. (Indeed,
Frodo sees a lone window with a red light in Cirith Ungol looking his
way. To think we'll be visiting that very spot and looking the other
way in the next book!) But Minas Morgul, rotating top and all, remains
distant.
As I mentioned, Tolkien's writing is really fantastic here. It's
great how Frodo sees the army issued that is meant to crush Faramir and
his friends, and he can't help but think of them before realizing he
still must complete his mission. And don't let my fumbling words fool
you here; Tolkien writes it much better. (Frodo seeming to wake up out
of a dream is especially well done.)
Having done some mountain climbing, I enjoyed the stairs bit too. I
read that Tolkien originally intended to have one stair leading to
Cirith Ungol and one leading away, but he messed up and put both stairs
before the tower and didn't realize his mistake until he had written a
lot of the story.
And there's the absolute gem where Frodo and Sam talk about the stories
that really matter; almost an inside joke by Tolkien. It's just a
fabulous conversation that represents Tolkien's best writing.
Meanwhile, Gollum is off visiting Shelob. I had read in the appendices
before that he did this, but I had never read the story before knowing
exactly when he did it until now. (I have a GPS tracker on all the
characters this reading. Gandalf and Pippin are in Minas Tirith, Merry
is heading there, and Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli are nearing the
Anduin.) When Gollum returns, he nearly repents... I seem to recall a
letter of Tolkien's saying the saddest part of the story was here when
Sam wakes up and accuses Gollum of sneaking when a kind word could have
saved Gollum.
Frodo not only treating Gollum which such kindness, but offering him a chance to leave freely is especially touching.
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Book 4, Chapter 9: Shelob's Lair
Before, whenever I read this chapter, I felt like Sam when Frodo began
running away towards the Orc tower. I would cry, "Frodo, what are you
doing! Slow down and keep your wits!" This time, however, I was in
Frodo's headspace for whatever reason. He's been trying to enter this
inpenetrable land, and after two stairs, Gollum's betrayal, and a giant
spider, he sees the finish line for the pass... "Run, Frodo, run,
before something bad can happen!"
You know what would be cool? Two people renacting the fight Sam has
with Gollum on youtube. Tolkien gives a blow by blow account, and it
would be fun to see in real life and in real time.
This is another chapter where Fonstad's atlas comes in handy, not
to mention a look at Tolkien's chronology. Correct me if I'm wrong, but
I believe Sam and Frodo were in Shelob's lair for over day... without
sleep!
Book 4, Chapter 10: The Choices of Master Samwise
Curse Tolkien's writing style! On one hand, it allows him to build
momentum much more successfully than if he integrated the two "books"
in The Two Towers. On the other hand, it's maddening when we know we
must leave one story thread for another! I want to stay with Sam!
I suppose it could be worse, he could have ended this chapter with
the audience thinking that Frodo is dead, and Sam is heading out to
finish the quest himself. Speaking of which, Sam's decision to take the
Ring and leave Frodo makes perfect sense. If Frodo is dead, as Sam
believes (and Tolkien even says), then his duty is to protect the Ring.
But this is the chapter where Sam's self doubt comes into play. Sam has
just as much a duel personality as Gollum: it's just not in the films.
And whereas Sam has a voice of self-doubt in his head (as I think we
all do), Gollum's other voice is self-hatred.
Anyway, just like Book III, Tolkien built up the momentum
wonderfully here, and I wish I could skip to Book VI - which I have in
the past. I've read Book III straight into Book V, too. I recommend
everyone read the books this way at least once; not the first time you
read the books, mind you, but sometime after. It's a really fun
experience that works well.
Speaking of working well, by separating the books as Tolkien has,
it really makes you feel for Samwise at the end of this chapter. You
feel his lonelyness more than if the storylines were integrated.
On a final note, I love the architecture of the Tower of Cirith
Ungol. The whole undergate/stone door thing fascinates me. I also want
to mention that the conversation between the two Orcs at the end is the
most fun Orc conversation in any of the books. I especially like how
one was from Minas Morgul and the other from the Tower of Cirith Ungol.
And now I must part with Frodo and Sam. Whereas we only spent ten
days with the other members of the Fellowship, we spent 18 with Sam and
Frodo, putting us pretty far ahead. It's catch up time. I will say that
as hard as it is to part with the two Hobbits, picking up the thread
where Book III left off is exciting, because unlike the beginning of
Books III and IV, we don't need to start the momentum of a story all
over again. Book III's story was cooking when we left it and now we get
to go back to it.
To Minas Tirith! And the Return of the King.
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Book 5, Chapter 1: Minas Tirith
Before jumping back into this story, I went back and read the ending of
Book III to reorient myself. I think Tolkien expected you to just
remember what was going on in the story ten or eleven chapters before
word for word, but I'm not that kind of guy! Tolkien writes picks up
right where he left off with the statue metaphor thingy, and also says,
"Then, as Gandalf promised...." That promise was 11 chapters ago. I'm
supposed to remember it? Well, anyway, I did go back, and so I
understood the connections.
Anyway, it was fun to see the most important city in Middle-earth
and the most important people of Middle-earth from the most
insiginifcant character's point of view. Lucas liked that too, and he
used it in the original Star Wars, where the story is told from the
droid's point of view.
It was interesting to see the way that the Beacons are used in the
book much like the film. I remembered Pippin commenting on the beacons,
but I never really pictured their path in my mind before seeing the
film. "There they go speeding west." I don't think I ever understood
that line before, and the names of the mountains didn't mean anything
to me in prior readings. This time I had the atlas, of course, and so
as Gandalf (very quickly) gave their path, I was able to follow along.
Speaking of which, without Fonstad's Atlas, I would be lost in
Minas Tirith. It's such a complex city. Tolkien describes it well, but
either there's so much to it either I need Fonstad's map, or I would
have to draw my own map to remember everything.
This chapter mentions Frodo looking at the same Moon as Pippin.
It's still difficult for me not to think of Frodo and Sam as being "a
chapter behind" and "next to the Tower of Cirith Ungol." Yet,
physically, they are just across the river, safe, not having any
problems at the moment. In fact, Pippin looks out in Frodo's direction
and must see the area where he is, though he wouldn't be able to see
anything as small as a Hobbit.
Denethor is a very well written character that comes off much
better than either the animated or live action film. I know the script
writers struggled with him because he's a complex character introduced
at a stage where the story needs to start having a resolution; but I
also don't think John Noble was the best choice. He didn't do a bad
job, but I think Patrick Stewart or David Warner, for example, would
have brought more complexity and interest to the character, even with
the same script. There would have been more gravitas, respect, inner
conflict, outer conflict, and a feeling of greatness behind the
character, I think.
Bergil is an interesting character in that Tolkien doesn't seem to
like to write about children. Even in The Hobbit there's not much
mention of children. It's interesting to see how he writes for them.
I must admit in past readings I missed all the clues that foretold
the coming darkness to Minas Tirith (the dawnless days). Yet, there's a
lot of foreshadowing here. (Not to mention, we already found it out
with Frodo and Sam.)
Chapter 2
I like how 12 and 1/2 chapters ago we have this:
"A beautiful, restful night!" said
Merry to Aragorn. "Some folk have wonderful luck. He did not want to
sleep, and he wanted to ride with Gandalf -- and there he goes! Instead
of being turned into a stone himself to stand here for ever as a
warning."
"If you had been the first to lift the Orthanc-stone, and not he,
how would it be now?" said Aragorn. "You might have done worse. Who can
say? But now it is your luck to come with me, I fear. At once. Go and
get ready, and bring anything that Pippin left behind. Make haste!"
And then we begin 12 1/2 chapters later like it's the next chapter:
"Gandalf was gone, and the thudding
hoofs of Shadowfax were lost in the night, when Merry came back to
Aragorn. He had only a light bundle, for he had lost his pack at Parth
Galen, and all he had was a few useful things he had picked up among
the wreckage of Isengard."
At this point in the book, the story diverges a bit from the film. I
found it exciting when the film strayed from the book, because I wasn't
quite sure what was going to happen, and now I like it in reverse,
because it's fun to read fresh parts of the book that didn't make it
into the film.
Speaking of not making it into the film... Aragorn's people join
him, and they ride REALLY far, REALLY fast. My God, they make Gandalf
look slow! And he rode to Minas Tirith without having to wait for any
other horse. Aragorn and company covered 100 leagues, or about 300
miles at a speed that would make cars look slow! It never sunk in when
I had previously read the books. And guess what... for their effort,
the feat is not only left out of the films, so are all the riders but
Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas! Ah well.
Also, speaking of the film, I think it made me understand Eowyn
better. In the books, you don't really get an explanation for her until
Gandalf talks about Wormtongue's effect on her in a much later chapter.
I like the film, where those words are actually put in Wormtongue's
mouth. With that in mind, I understand much more of how he played upon
her fears, and why she wants to do what she does. Her scenes with
Aragorn are really well written. I especially like how Aragorn says
something like, "Indeed, no trip would be considered wasted, though I
couldn't spare it had I not been headed this way."
Merry feels like baggage again. I like how he wonders if Saruman is
springing one last trap on the King, and he wonders what it would be
like if he ended up lost in this country he doesn't know. You can see
being captured by Orcs has played on his fear.
The Palantir stuff is interesting, especially after Gandalf urged
Aragorn not to use it, and Aragorn does anyway. Returning to Helm's
Deep seems like a step backwards, but it's kind of fun, too. - Celedor
Thank you for continuing the journey and
posting about each chapter. I have finished the story and moved on to
other tales, but I hope you will continue to post your insights and
outta sights of each chapter.
The Grey Company chapter always makes me sad and nostalgic but turns us again to actions both bold and meek.
I shall be mailing you a Kingly Gift at the end of this month for your continued support and Fellowship.
I wish you good luck on your book writing as well.
- Onomir
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Book 5, Chapter 3: The Muster of Rohan
Okay, I really like The Lord of the Rings.
Not in the, "I like Tolkien, so I like LOTR" kind of way. The truth is,
I find The Hobbit to be a great book, but I've read a lot of great
books. The Sil is nice, but I found parts a chore to read. The fact is,
everytime I pick up LOTR, it does it for me like it's a pretty girl
smiling. I get the adrenaline rush, the goose bumps, and I get excited.
So you probably haven't heard me post too many times, "This chapter was
a bit of a let down." It's like the Beatles; every song seems to be
better than the last to me.
Except now, like "Dizzy Miss Lizzy", there's an exception to the rule.
I must admit "The Muster of Rohan" doesn't work for me.
Tolkien tries to make it sound like Aragorn is going to die. I
understand what he's trying to do. I understand why he's trying to do
it. I get that. It just doesn't work. We know by now "small chance of
success, certainty of death" means it will all be okay because we've
been through it in the previous two books. In fact, the Paths of the
Dead are more or less "Moria part II".
We have this thing going on with Merry. He wants to go to Minas
Tirith. He's told he can't. Then he's told he can't again. Then again.
We know he'll get there, though.
Then there's Eowyn. She's in both animated Lord of the Rings films.
She's in Jackson's Two Towers and Return of the King. You'd think she
was a pivotal character. Forgive me, but after reading the books this
time, I think if I were Tolkien I would not have put her in the story.
We already have so many plotlines and so much to take care of. And the
fact is - unlike Jackson's film - Eowyn doesn't do anything in
Tolkien's Two Towers. It's the last couple chapters that set up her
story, and then it's paid off quickly afterwards. I don't think it's
needed, though her dialogue is so well written I suppose it would be a
shame to lose it. Still, it's difficult to start up another subplot in
this chapter.
And lastly, we know Rohan is preparing to go to Gondor. That's how we begin and end this chapter.
So, let me say again, I know what Tolkien's trying to do here. It's
just difficult for me to bite. If I had written LOTR this is one
chapter I'd want to work on some more. But, as Tolkien said,chapters
that are considered blemishes by some are considered wonderful by
others.
I will say I like how the guy with the red arrow clearly is
disappointed to hear it will take Rohan a week to come. He tries to be
polite, but you can tell he's frustrated and thinks Gondor will be gone
by then. "At least you can distrurb the Orcs in their feasting." To
which Theoden replies, "At least we can do that."
Book 5, Chapter 4: The Siege of Gondor
"Son, we live in a city with walls. You want answers? You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!" - Denethor to Pippin in A Few Good Guards of the Citadel.
I'm a gibbering mess. This chapter is greatness. It's like three
chapters in one. Frodo's story intersects thanks to Faramir. Merry's
story intersects thanks to Rohan arriving. Pippin's story - well, this
is just the greatest Pippin chapter so far; even better than Minas
Tirith, which I love.
The Gandalf versus Lord of the Ringwraith showdown is fantastic,
too. I love the writing, and the unexpected ending. After so many
chapters - seven or eight, I think, talking about either the darkness
issueing or the darkness growing, it comes as quite a surprise to see
morning.
The Faramir/Denethor stuff is great, too, and no doubt that's why
Jackson covered it so well in the films. I especially like how we get
to see Denethor's meetings because Pippin is waiting on him now. And to
think that Faramir and Frodo are both poisoned into unconsciousness at
nearly the same time... and both thought to be dying.
The ending of the chapter... the last three pages: that's the best part. I could read that over and over again.
Book 5, Chapter 5: The Ride of Rohirrim
This, 5 squared, is an odd chapter. We start off not knowing of any
complications in Rohan's ride to Minas Tirith; then we realize that
it's not going to be so easy. Wild Men surround them. An army from
Mordor is setting up an ambush. Before we get very far with either of
these complications, the men of Rohan are quickly given a solution: the
wild men want to be friends, and they can take a shortcut. Meanwhile,
before we find out about any of this, we established with the last
sentence of the last chapter that Rohan makes it to Minas Tirith
safely.
That's weird.
Personally (and granted, I'm not one of the greatest authors of all
time), I think it would have been better if the last Merry chapter
would have been extended to include the beginning of this one: end it
with the Riders of Rohan in peril, thinking the woses are going to get
them, and setting up exposition about the ambush. Not only would their
arrival at Minas Tirith become more dramatic, this chapter would answer
the riddle of how they got through... sort of like reading about the
riddles Merry and Pippin set up for Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas, and
then learning the answers.
Anyway, it's still a good chapter (through very short). It's nice
to see what the Riders have been up to, and it's fun to learn about
what's going on in Minas Tirith from another perspective: from afar. I
also like the whole "shifting of the wind" thing.
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Book 5, Chapter 6: The Battle of the Pelennor Fields
This has always been a favorite chapter of mine. Even Rankin/Bass couldn't screw it up.
This is the point in the book you don't want to stop and write these things. You just want to keep reading! In The Fellowship of the Ring,
Tolkien tells his story very leisurely, thinking nothing of having
months, years, or decades fly by. (This was hard for me to deal with
when I first read the books, because I did not yet have the experience
to help me comprehend a span of ten years or more.) In The Two Towers,
things tighten up with the first half of the book only spanning ten
days, and the second half recounting those ten before adding a few more
days. Here, we get to the point where there are these two days day -
March 14 and especially March 15, where so much is going on, chapter
after chapter is devoted to explaining them from different angles.
Anyway, to this chapter:
I love Merry taking on the Witch King. It's described in a way
where you can put yourself in Merry's shoes and believe this isn't a
fantasy story, but it's real.
I love Eowyn's reveal.
I love Theoden's final speech.
I love how Tolkien describes Aragorn as the King returns.
I love Aragorn's line about avenging what's happened before talking
about, as well as his line coming true about meeting Eomer, though all
the hosts of Mordor lie inbetween.
Oh, the heck with it. I love it all. This novel isn't bad.
Book 5, Chapter 7: The Pyre of Denethor
This must be one of the shortest chapters in the book: it's only 7 1/2
pages in my edition. That surprised me, because I remembered it as
longer. But then I swear Tolkien rewrites this Lord of the Rings thing
inbetween each time I read it. Sort of like Lucas redoing Star Wars
again and again.
It's a good chapter for what it's worth. The palantír coming back into play is fun, especially since we know who's really
in those black ships, and that Gondor is going to win the day's battle.
It also ties back into the earlier part of this book, where he seems to
know things he shouldn't.
And it's fun to know that the SOB is dead. I mean, he's really
annoying, isn't he? Unfortunately, we've also lost a lot of good people
the last couple chapters: from the poor Porter Beregond killed to
Aragorn's kinsman who brought Arwen's flag.
On a final note, this chapter really makes Aragorn look strong, as he was able to use the palantír for good while Saruman and Denethor could not.
Book 5, Chapter 8: The Houses of Healing
I remember that when I first read the books I composed a song for the
Merry Pippin reunion: "We'll Be Friends Forever" it was called. (Hey, I
was only 11 or so.) I had it ready before I got to the chapter where
they actually get back together... and then I found my song useless,
because they didn't meet with the joy I was expecting. Merry's entry in
the city brought a tear to my eye... and then I feared he was dying.
I still find the beginning of this chapter very emotional. Part of
it is that I've always identified with Merry more than any other
character in the books. (Part of it is that I've gotten lost myself
more times than I can count because I have no sense of direction.)
The rest of the chapter is a great read, too, because we deal with
so many loose threads: Faramir, Eowyn, Aragorn, and Merry of course. It
puts them all on a course for a happy ending, though Eowyn still has a
ways to go. I particularly like Aragorn's quote about his frost setting
her up for the fall, and that there's nothing worse for a man than to
have a woman love him and not be able to return it.
I do find it odd when Pippin talks about Gandalf and Aragorn being
related; because they are such different characters to me. (For one
thing, Aragorn has more of a sense of humor. And he laughs often - in
the book - which Gandalf doesn't do as much. He's more gloom and doom
on the printed page.) Aragorn, of course, is hilarious in this whole
chapter.
It's a good chapter, though I feel the sadness the the adventure is coming to a close.
"Master Meriadoc, if you think that I
have passed through the mountains and the realm of Gondor with fire and
sword to bring herbs to a careless soldier who throws away his gear,
you are mistaken. If your pack has not been found, then you must send
for the herb-master of this House. And he will tell you that he did not
know that the herb you desire has any virtues, but that it is called
westmansweed by the vulgar, and galenas by the noble, and other names
in other tongues more learned, and after adding a few half forgotten
rhymes that he does not understand, he will regretfully inform you that
there is none in the House, and he will leave you to reflect on the
history of the tongues." - Aragorn, knowing Merry's pack is lying by his bed
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Book 5, Chapter 9: The Last Debate
When I first read The Lord of the Rings, I decided it was not only the
greatest book I ever read, or would ever read, I decided it was the top
of the entertainment mountain and couldn't see anything ever surpassing
it.
That was when I was about 11.
It's interesting how we perceive things differently as children and adults. I remember performing A Midsummer Night's Dream
for elementary school students and then later performing for an adult
audience: both enjoyed it and were laughing throughout, but the
similarity ended there. Lines that killed in the first performance fell
flat in the second. Lines that went over the head of the kids
profoundly affected the older people.
It's easy to forget when we get older how much newness there is in the world as a child. We take so
much for granted as adults, because we've dealt with, say, "Wednesday",
for so long we don't give it a second thought. Archetypal situations
we've seen so many times don't have as much impact, because they've
been played out. And so we'll wonder what kids see in something or
another they love so much, because we can't look at it from their
perspective.
Meanwhile, it's difficult for a child to understand why an adult
finds entertainment in some of the things he or she does. A child has
limited experience, still-developing brains, and is constantly being
inundated with subject matter to learn; so it's difficult for a child
to put anything into context and reflect upon it with very much
consideration.
So when I look back upon my childhood and think about when I named
The Lord of the Rings as "my thing", I wonder: what was it about it
that I liked? And the answer is probably things that don't resonate as
much with me now, because I'm really a different person.
And yet, it's still my favorite book- by such a wide margin, I
don't see anything surpassing it. That's because as I have grown, it
has seemed to have grown with me, as if it's been rewritten with an
added layer meant to appeal to me whatever stage of life I am in each
time I read it.
This continues now. Reading "The Last Debate" I could forget all
the other times I read the book, and enjoy it like it was a fresh
performance. It's fun to see part of the Fellowship reunite yet again.
The bit about Aragorn taking over the ships is the last piece of the
puzzle falling into place, bringing us to speed, so that's great, too.
It's so nice to see the Lords all on the same page, with Denethor out
of the picture. But what I enjoyed most was Gandalf's speech. I love to
hear his thought, and I love to hear his explain what Sauron is
thinking. It's a treat we don't often get in these books.
This is a really exciting time. Helm's Deep, in the books, was
really an expected victory, even if things looked a bit dark for a
time. Minas Tirith winning the day before this chapter was very
unexpected, so it's fun to see how everyone feels, and what they are
going to do with this victory.
And now things are truly being set in motion that can't be undone.
Little do any of the people at Minas Tirith - nor first-time readers -
know that Frodo has escaped the tower with Sam and is heading north at
this very moment, just a few miles away, in the mountains.
Book 5, Chapter 10: The Black Gate Opens
Well, what to say? This time reading the books I'm more subdued reading
this chapter, partly because I really recognize its the last throw, and
partly because I'm a bit sad this part of the story is coming to an
end.
I had forgotten that Aragorn and Gandalf go to Minas Morgul. I had
also forgotten the touch that the mithril shirt, the blade of men, and
the elvish stuff given to a halfing represents a conspiracy to Sauron.
(Well, it sort of is, isn't it?)
I also like how Aragorn and Gandalf treat the Mouth of Sauron as
opposed to their actions in the Rankin/Bass and Jackson films. They
simply outclass him rather than being immature.
Anyway, Book V is over with. The great momentum of Book III-V is done. Now it's time to finish what was started in Book IV.
I'm going to be sad when I'm finished though. I'm really enjoying this reading.
Onomir: I know what you are saying my brother, but I
find the upcoming chapter as thrilling as the first and I wish this
last book was handled with more care by the movie makers because it
shows the qualities of all of the characters, save dear Boromir alas.
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Book 6, Chapter 1: The Tower of Cirith Ungol
Alright, now we're in for some serious business.
First off, I have to say I do find this chapter slightly boring,
because it's mostly Sam. Don't get me wrong, I like Sam. It's just that
there's hardly anyone else in this chapter and hardly any dialogue. Sam
thinks this. Sam thinks that. The orc conversation is interesting, and
when Sam finds Frodo the story picks up a bit for me.
Before that, it is touching when Sam, who has journeyed from
Hobbiton, finds himself at a dead end, and sits down to sing, not
knowing what else to do. (Although it is a bit weird that he'd brave
Moria, slay orcs, storm a tower, and then be defeated by because the
doors are locked. Just think! Sauron needn't have gone to war at all.
He just needed to lock the door at Sammath Naur.)
I also like that when Sam finds Frodo, Frodo doesn't want to accept
it right away. "Am I dreaming?" He doesn't want to let it in, because
there's nothing he wants more than to have Sam appear and rescue him,
and to think that's happening and then find out it was just a dream
would be too much to take.
I also want to say I love Tolkien's architecture, as usual. The
Tower of Cirith Ungol is great, including the paths outside. It's
interesting how Frodo enters through the undergate and exits through
the front door.
Anyway, now we finally have Frodo and Sam (with a Nazgul on their
tale) ready to continue the quest. But not the same Frodo as before. As
I said, it's serious business now. We're in the thick of it. - Celedor
Onomir: You are a dafted old Elf is there ever was one,
or what I mean to say is that I disagree with you on this chapter and
would say that it is a wonderful chapter for those of us that adore
Samwise Gamgee and the drama of entering deeper into Mordor.
but I guess we can agree to disagree once in awhile ;-{>
SAMWISE THE BRAVE!
Book 6, Chapter 2: The Land of Shadow
When I first read this chapter, I think I had a feeling that Tolkien
was in the corner of Sam and Frodo and wouldn't let the quest fail. I
think, also, all the stories I'd ever read at that point were happy
stories, so I was used to happy endings. Whenever I would reread the
book, I'd know the quest was going to be successful, so I wouldn't
think of Sam and Frodo as being in any danger.
This time is different. I think part of it is that over the years,
especially recently, I've read a lot more nonfiction; and much of it
with an unhappy ending. For example, the story of Anne Frank, including
what happens after the diary, is a crushing blow to me even this day.
And so now I read this chapter in The Return of the King, and Tolkien
describes what's going on so realistically, it's easy for me to forget
its fiction. I'm also able to put myself in Sam and Frodo's shoes, and
forget I know what's going to happen.
And so, reading this chapter was more dramatic for me this time than
anytime in the past. The Orcs capture Frodo and Sam. Frodo and Sam are
marching towards Udun, and then Barad-dur (and thank goodness I had a
map handy, because it helped tremendously in this chapter, I'd never
properly visualized where that tower was that the Orcs came from.) The
quest is hanging by a thread because of all this, and for the first
time I didn't feel that there was a "scriptwriter" willing to help out
anytime Frodo and Sam couldn't handle it themselves. I felt like if one
thing more went wrong, it would all be over.
Anyway, the chapter is over. Now for the last march to Doom.
Land Of Shadow was ans still is an emotional
chapter. I find that for myself, caring for the Hobbits and Fellowship
as I do makes this chapter a "tough" read and the gloom and shadow of
Mordor prevail and permeate the mood and senses of the reader. Darkness
is almost too much for even Sam.
but good old Sam watched over his beloved master indeed.
glad it past me now and on we go. - Onomir
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Book 6 Chapter 3: Mount Doom
I mentioned the realism Tolkien puts into his books. This chapter is a
case in point. Another writer would have been tempted to overwrite it,
but (almost surprisingly, considering how wordy he is elsewhere)
Tolkien does not.
I love how Frodo asks Sam how much farther and Sam says, "I don't
know, because I don't know where we're going." It's something that
would never make it into a film, because to a person watching a film,
the object is to get to Mount Doom, and there the way will show itself.
But in real life, if you told someone to go to a volcano, once they got
there, they wouldn't know where in the volcano to go to. Yet, it makes
sense Sauron would have a road and that Sam and Frodo would discover
it.
Anyway, this chapter is almost too much to talk about, because there are so
many great lines. So many great things. I love that Sam carries Frodo
not only up to the volcano, but out of the tunnel away from harm.
I love that Sauron is closer to our protaganists than ever
before... and yet Tolkien keeps him an abstract eye and never lets us
see his tower clearly. I believe by keeping Sauron at a distance, all
the way to the end, it makes it more fun to reread the books over and
over again. If we ever got to actually meet Sauron at the end, it
wouldn't be as much fun to start over.
And as I said, things come to a head very quickly. Suddenly Frodo
is there about to accomplish his quest. Beforehand he tells Gollum not
to touch him again or he will be cast into Doom. The Ring holds him to
it.
I loved this chapter.
Book 6, Chapter 4: The Field of Cormallen
This is a fun chapter, even though the tension is gone. It's sort of like desert.
I like Frodo and Sam wake up east of the river, and that they visit
some of the places they had previously been weeks before - I had
forgotten that detail. I had also forgotten that Pippin is so close to
death that he doesn't wake up until just before Frodo and Sam - about
two weeks after he was injured.
I like how Tolkien didn't avoid describing what happens in the
battle after the Ring is destroyed - he explains, again realistically,
that some of the enemy fled, but some of them from the east fought on;
and he tells that some of the men in the west entered Mordor and
destroyed the towers. These are little details another author would
have left out to focus on Frodo and company, but Tolkien knew they were
important.
Anyway, it's fun to see Frodo and Sam finally getting to see some of the people they saved.
Book 6, Chapter 5: The Steward and the King
This is one of those chapters I didn't take much notice of as a boy,
since romance wasn't my thing then, but I've since come to appreciate
more.
Yet, this time I have to say I'm not as into it as the stuff before
the Ring was destroyed. The dramatic tension is mostly gone, and the
tale is winding down.
I do think it's kind of fun to finally learn what Aragorn does as
King; he pardons Easterners and meets with the people who were valiant
in battle, sort of like the President meeting the winners of the World
Series. I can't help but imagine myself as a soldier of Gondor meeting
him. "Wow, you're Aragorn! It's so cool to meet you!" (This would
probably be what I'd say to Viggo, come to think of it.)
Ioreth is funny.
The White Tree is touching.
The romance between Faramir and Eowyn is great.
But there's a sadness now that all is coming to a close.
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Book 6, Chapter 6: Many Partings
The last time we were in Rivendell, we kicked it off with "Many
Meetings". We return at the close of the chapter "Many Partings".
Symmetry.
This is a fun chapter, catching up with all our old friends - and
some enemies. It's a good insight into how the world is changing and
what's going to happen in the fourth age.
Did you know Arwen gives her spot at the Grey Havens to Frodo? You
probably did, but I missed it, or it didn't stick until this reading.
These last two chapters have been big Arwen chapters, actually.
Frodo and Sam are rather quiet this chapter. I would have liked to
have heard their reactions to the Ents, Rohan, and other places they
didn't see. I also would have liked to have seen their meeting with
Eomer, and their reunion with Faramir. Ah well.
The Fellowship breaks again, and this time, for the last time, as
it is said. They may see each other again individually, but never again
will all of them be together, sort of like the Beatles after the photo
shoot for Abbey Road.
Things are winding down!
Book 6, Chapter 7: Homeward Bound
This chapter is only seven pages in my edition.
It's lots of fun to stop at Bree again, and lots of fun to have Gandalf
with. In The Hobbit and much of The Lord of the Rings he's constantly
falling out of the story, and there's not many times when the hobbits
have him to themselves; usually there are other big folk around that
he's dealing with. It's fun to have just the hobbits and him, because
we have the wisest character in the story with the ones that learned
the most through their adventures.
I absolutely love the moment when Butterbur finally takes in that
Aragorn is King. It's too bad it wouldn't have worked in the films.
I like that we start to notice how much the hobbits have changed,
and how awkward they look. We notice how much we, as readers, have
changed, too, since the silly adventures from so long ago, when the
book began. It's somehow fitting that Bombadil isn't around at this
time. He would be out of place at this point in the story, where we've
left the whimsy and childish aspects of The Hobbit behind. (No
disrespect towards the The Hobbit, but it's not the adult mindbender
Lord of the Rings is.)
I enjoyed this chapter.
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Book 6, Chapter 8: The Scouring of the Shire
I can tell why this chapter is a favorite with fans. It's three times
the length of the previous chapter and full of fun, danger, and
resolution. It also made me notice how little I know Shire geography!
This reading, in order to get more out of the books than my
previous readings, I wasn't content not knowing where anything is. When
Tolkien says, "And everyone celebrated in the Kingdom from Emyn Narcost
to the Gulf of Rofinban" I wasn't going to just pass it over - I looked
it up on my maps. When Gandalfed named each Beacon of Gondor, I
followed along in my atlas. Tolkien does this sort of thing throughout
the books: he thinks you either have blown up copies of his maps, or
you know Middle-earth like the back of your hand. Interestingly, while
I know Rohan, Gondor, Fangorn Forest, and Mirkwood well enough, it's
like I said before: I don't know The Shire (or I didn't know it),
knowing exactly where the Scary Hills are, where Frogmorton is, and
even knowing the location of the Green Dragon in Bywater. Now I've had
an education, though, and it did make the chapter more fun.
In the past, I had read this chapter with Frodo's perspective in my
mind: how sad it is that hobbits have come to this; hoping they don't
kill each other. I always found Merry and Pippin rather rash. This
time, I agreed more with Merry and Pippin and saw their viewpoint.
Battle is neccesary. Looking sad won't solve anything. I think Tolkien
had numerous thoughts on war, and he expressed the different viewpoints
through the hobbits. Like Frodo, he does believe it's a really sad
thing. But another part of him understands that it's neccesary at
times, and there's an art to it. Merry and Pippin learn all about this
in a way Frodo doesn't have a chance to.
Tolkien does seem to make a mistake in this chapter: early on,
Frodo knows Saruman is behind everything in this chapter. Yet later on,
he's surprised when Saruman appears - as is everyone.
And one last thought, I'm happy Jackson cut this chapter out of the
last film. He does touch on it in the first film, in Galadriel's
mirror, and that's the perfect place for it - you don't have to worry
about character introductions there (like Farmer Cotton, the sherriffs,
and the ruffians), and you don't have to worry about tying up another
plotline.
Book 6, Chapter 9: The Grey Havens
Reading this chapter this time around, I couldn't help but think how
faithful the last film was to it; Jackson really caught the feeling of
it. (I remember one film review exclaiming, "Now that's how you end a
film series!") Not that I didn't notice that the book's "Well, I'm
back," takes place at night.
The end always sneaks up on me. The story seems to glide along, and
then Frodo asks Sam to head out with him, and suddenly (like Sam) I
realize it's all ending.
I find it interesting that throughout the story, the characters get
closer to the sea as they travel south, and Tolkien mentions it
throughout the story with reverence. But then we don't actually get to
see it, except on the horizon when Aragorn takes over the ships, and on
the horizon when he finds the white tree sapling. So we journey back to
the Shire, and there we find the sea finally just to the west.
On a final note (and I do mean final!) I like how Tolkien doesn't
stop describing Frodo's journey with the hobbit setting off... he
describes the shore Frodo journeys to. (Although, if he thinks we can
remember the dream at Bombadil's a thousand pages later, he has too
much faith in my memory.) He ten cuts to Sam, back in the world we're
familiar too, and it's quite the transition.
Anyway, I enjoyed the books again as always. I think I got more out
of them this time than ever before. I probably won't read them again
for another five years at least. The time between readings for me grows
with each reading, otherwise they don't seem as fresh. I am going to
continue and read the appendices, though I won't be posting about them.
Thank you for reading, and I hope I had some interesting things to say.
