Post by Stormrider on Jan 24, 2009 18:30:36 GMT -6
From: Lord_Algamesh (Original Message) Sent: 12/4/2002 9:36 PM
For a moment it appeared to Sam that his master had grown and Gollum had shrunk: a tall stern shadow, a mighty lord who hid his brightness in grey cloud, and at his feet a little whining dog. Yet the two were in some way akin and not alien: they could reach one another's minds. Gollum raised himself and began pawing at Frodo, fawning at his knees.
I've highlighted the item of interest here ... "they could reach one another's minds". What reasons allow them to do so? The obvious response is that they are both RingBearers but I would like to address other possible reasons that allow them to come to an understanding. What may these be?
Also ... a bit of personal commentary here. Anyone notice how the relationship between Sam and Gollum resembles that of rival siblings? As a father myself, I often have the opportunity to see my little fellas war with one another over property, opportunity, and attention. I find it hilarious to see Sam placed in the role of the jealous child! Consider this for a moment ...
* * *
From: Stormrider Sent: 12/22/2002 11:01 PM
I have been thinking about this for a while now and I can't come up with anything else that makes them reach each other's minds other than the Ring. They are both so different from each other from their upbringing and even their reasons for having the Ring.
I'm stretching it a bit, but how about this idea? Frodo had wished that Bilbo had killed Gollum long ago when Bilbo had the chance and that was before Frodo had ever seen Gollum. Frodo did not feel Gollum deserved any pity at that time. Now that he has seen and been with Gollum, he feels compassion and wishes to help Gollum. Deep down inside Smeagol really wants to emerge for good and he is leaning toward Frodo's compassionate overtures. Frodo is afraid that he may become as pathetic as Gollum some day and that scares him and makes him relate to Gollum. But all of these feelings have to do with the Ring and its affect on them.
About Sam: I don't think that he feels jealous over Frodo's attention at all. I think he fears for Frodo and is very wary and defensive because of it. He does not understand why Frodo is giving Gollum a chance to be good. He is more pissed off about this trusting relationship and that makes Sam be on his guard more. He is more watchful and protective toward Frodo because of it. Whereas his name calling and other comments directed at Gollum seem to be displays of jealousy I think they are more a protective measure to keep Gollum in place and to show Gollum that Sam is on to him.
Stormrider
* * *
From: sparrow Sent: 12/24/2002 12:49 PM
There is another reason than the Ring that may help Frodo reach Gollum, and that is that Gollum as Smeagol was a creature not unlike hobbits - maybe there is some sort of kinship. Logically, this should apply to Sam as well as Frodo, and the only explanation I can offer to why it doesn't is that Frodo has the adventerous Took side which would allow him to be more accepting of things that are different and strange, and that Frodo is more educated and worldly whereas Sam is a simple fellow more prone to see things as black and white.
For a moment it appeared to Sam that his master had grown and Gollum had shrunk: a tall stern shadow, a mighty lord who hid his brightness in grey cloud, and at his feet a little whining dog. Yet the two were in some way akin and not alien: they could reach one another's minds. Gollum raised himself and began pawing at Frodo, fawning at his knees.
I've highlighted the item of interest here ... "they could reach one another's minds". What reasons allow them to do so? The obvious response is that they are both RingBearers but I would like to address other possible reasons that allow them to come to an understanding. What may these be?
Also ... a bit of personal commentary here. Anyone notice how the relationship between Sam and Gollum resembles that of rival siblings? As a father myself, I often have the opportunity to see my little fellas war with one another over property, opportunity, and attention. I find it hilarious to see Sam placed in the role of the jealous child! Consider this for a moment ...
* * *
From: Stormrider Sent: 12/22/2002 11:01 PM
I have been thinking about this for a while now and I can't come up with anything else that makes them reach each other's minds other than the Ring. They are both so different from each other from their upbringing and even their reasons for having the Ring.
I'm stretching it a bit, but how about this idea? Frodo had wished that Bilbo had killed Gollum long ago when Bilbo had the chance and that was before Frodo had ever seen Gollum. Frodo did not feel Gollum deserved any pity at that time. Now that he has seen and been with Gollum, he feels compassion and wishes to help Gollum. Deep down inside Smeagol really wants to emerge for good and he is leaning toward Frodo's compassionate overtures. Frodo is afraid that he may become as pathetic as Gollum some day and that scares him and makes him relate to Gollum. But all of these feelings have to do with the Ring and its affect on them.
About Sam: I don't think that he feels jealous over Frodo's attention at all. I think he fears for Frodo and is very wary and defensive because of it. He does not understand why Frodo is giving Gollum a chance to be good. He is more pissed off about this trusting relationship and that makes Sam be on his guard more. He is more watchful and protective toward Frodo because of it. Whereas his name calling and other comments directed at Gollum seem to be displays of jealousy I think they are more a protective measure to keep Gollum in place and to show Gollum that Sam is on to him.
Stormrider
* * *
From: sparrow Sent: 12/24/2002 12:49 PM
There is another reason than the Ring that may help Frodo reach Gollum, and that is that Gollum as Smeagol was a creature not unlike hobbits - maybe there is some sort of kinship. Logically, this should apply to Sam as well as Frodo, and the only explanation I can offer to why it doesn't is that Frodo has the adventerous Took side which would allow him to be more accepting of things that are different and strange, and that Frodo is more educated and worldly whereas Sam is a simple fellow more prone to see things as black and white.