Post by MajahTR on Jan 18, 2009 21:33:50 GMT -6
I see Frodo's leadership role developing here as he stands up to this stranger named Strider. And either one of two things (or both) is at work here: Frodo's intuition about Strider has already made him feel comfortable or the courage he found in the Barrow has stayed with him.
Strider tells the Hobbits a bit about the Riders and that he, himself would make a good guide to help them on their journey. There is an interesting passage in this section which I've seen quite a bit of speculation about on other boards. "The Hobbits looked at him, and saw with surprise that his face was drawn as if with pain, and his hands clenched the arms of his chair. The room was very quiet and still, and the light seemed to have grown dim. For awhile he sat with unseeing eyes as if walking in the distant memory or listening to sounds in the Night far away." This passage (in different form, but same intent) is found in the previous versions of the manuscript when Strider was "Trotter, the Hobbit with wooden shoes". I haven't read the whole "History of LotR" series, but do know that Trotter's feet were hurt of even cut off in Mordor. It seems that the Ringwraiths were involved. The passage seems to have something to do with that memory…but, why was it left in for Strider?
If only Barliman would have mailed that letter! It would have saved a bit of grief! And LOL we could have been reading less than half the Trilogy all these years.
Later on, after Frodo is speared by the Orc in Moria and survives because of the mithril shirt, Strider makes reference to this comment he made in Bree. "It would take more than a few days, or weeks, or years, of wandering in the Wild to make you look like Strider," he answered. "And you would die first, unless you are made of sterner stuff than you look to be."
This is the first time I noticed that Strider spoke of himself in the 3rd person. I noticed that Tom Bombadil did the same and Gollum does it, too. I want to keep an eye out for this...does Strider use the 3rd person when speaking of himself as "Aragorn" ? How about Gollum as "Smeagol"? Perhaps, if they only talk this way of their "psuedonyms" then "Tom Bombadil" is also a "psuedonym". What name does he prefer for himself?
I find it interesting that Merry was "drawn" to the meeting of a Black Rider and Bill Ferny. I wonder if this was a leftover feeling from his dream in the Barrow. He called himself neither brave nor silly. And when Nob woke him from his knock on the head Merry said that he thought he had fallen in deep water. His dream at Tom Bombadil's involved drowning. Is there a connection?
I think Tolkien was very, very proud of his "Cat and the Fiddle" poem. In the next to last paragraph Merry makes the comment that it will be discussed for a hundred years. Then Strider says, "I hope so." I think Tolkien is the one truly speaking here.
DA
DA
Interesting, particularly about Merry and his dream in the house of Bombadill. I don't think I really understand what is going on with this. Stiders words, "I hope so" also have the meaning that he hoped the people of Bree would still be around and free a hundred years later, to be discussing Frodo's song, depending on the outcome of the coming war. Of course, the other meaning works as well, and I think you are right here seeing as how Tolkien did use this poem over again. Anyway, I always like that Frodo sings this song here, even if it is unwise. Mostly it is Sam, or someone else who sings in the rest of the story.
Fallohide
(Wait, I believe I am mixing up Chapters 9 and 10! sorry, just confused.)
Strider tells the Hobbits a bit about the Riders and that he, himself would make a good guide to help them on their journey. There is an interesting passage in this section which I've seen quite a bit of speculation about on other boards. "The Hobbits looked at him, and saw with surprise that his face was drawn as if with pain, and his hands clenched the arms of his chair. The room was very quiet and still, and the light seemed to have grown dim. For awhile he sat with unseeing eyes as if walking in the distant memory or listening to sounds in the Night far away." This passage (in different form, but same intent) is found in the previous versions of the manuscript when Strider was "Trotter, the Hobbit with wooden shoes". I haven't read the whole "History of LotR" series, but do know that Trotter's feet were hurt of even cut off in Mordor. It seems that the Ringwraiths were involved. The passage seems to have something to do with that memory…but, why was it left in for Strider?
If only Barliman would have mailed that letter! It would have saved a bit of grief! And LOL we could have been reading less than half the Trilogy all these years.
Later on, after Frodo is speared by the Orc in Moria and survives because of the mithril shirt, Strider makes reference to this comment he made in Bree. "It would take more than a few days, or weeks, or years, of wandering in the Wild to make you look like Strider," he answered. "And you would die first, unless you are made of sterner stuff than you look to be."
This is the first time I noticed that Strider spoke of himself in the 3rd person. I noticed that Tom Bombadil did the same and Gollum does it, too. I want to keep an eye out for this...does Strider use the 3rd person when speaking of himself as "Aragorn" ? How about Gollum as "Smeagol"? Perhaps, if they only talk this way of their "psuedonyms" then "Tom Bombadil" is also a "psuedonym". What name does he prefer for himself?
I find it interesting that Merry was "drawn" to the meeting of a Black Rider and Bill Ferny. I wonder if this was a leftover feeling from his dream in the Barrow. He called himself neither brave nor silly. And when Nob woke him from his knock on the head Merry said that he thought he had fallen in deep water. His dream at Tom Bombadil's involved drowning. Is there a connection?
I think Tolkien was very, very proud of his "Cat and the Fiddle" poem. In the next to last paragraph Merry makes the comment that it will be discussed for a hundred years. Then Strider says, "I hope so." I think Tolkien is the one truly speaking here.
DA
DA
Interesting, particularly about Merry and his dream in the house of Bombadill. I don't think I really understand what is going on with this. Stiders words, "I hope so" also have the meaning that he hoped the people of Bree would still be around and free a hundred years later, to be discussing Frodo's song, depending on the outcome of the coming war. Of course, the other meaning works as well, and I think you are right here seeing as how Tolkien did use this poem over again. Anyway, I always like that Frodo sings this song here, even if it is unwise. Mostly it is Sam, or someone else who sings in the rest of the story.
Fallohide
(Wait, I believe I am mixing up Chapters 9 and 10! sorry, just confused.)