Wk12 Bk6 Ch6: Arwen's Gift to Frodo

[Stormrider]

From: AnnieofTR (Original Message) Sent: 6/8/2003 10:12 PM

These pictures were lost:
Arwen (film Image)
"Frodo and the Sea" by Mina Rho

Wk12, Bk6, Ch6, DISCUSSION: Arwen’s Parting Gift to Frodo

Before Frodo departed to ride to Rivendell, Arwen offered the hobbit passage to the West as she would not be going with her father when he departed to the Havens. "For mine is the choice of Luthien, and as she so have I chosen, both the sweet and the bitter."

What exactly was Arwen offering Frodo and why did she feel that Frodo would be worthy of such a gift? Did Arwen have the authority to do this? Tolkien does not give us Frodo’s response if he even gave one. What thoughts do you think went through Frodo’s mind?

Later Sam told Frodo that he didn’t think he had found a better place than this. "There is something of everything here." To which Frodo responded, "Except the sea." When I read this I thought immediately of Legolas, his dream, and his song. I can understand Legolas’ feelings. But why would Frodo suddenly think of the sea? What feelings or thoughts do you think he was having? Do you see any similarities between Legolas and Frodo’s longings? What differences are there?

[Stormrider]

From: Ruscosenda Sent: 6/11/2003 1:46 PM
As a daughter of Elrond, the half-elven, Arwen had been given the gracious gift of being allowed to depart to the Undying Lands. She conferred this gift to Frodo. It also seemed to have the power to lighten his heart when troubled by the past, similar to Galadriel's phial.

I don't think Frodo had any intention of leaving Middle Earth at this point. He just wanted to see Bilbo and get back to The Shire.

-- Rusco

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From: Kendal Sent: 8/18/2003 2:51 AM
Excellent questions Annie! I am especially intrigued with a part of your first querry:
"What exactly was Arwen offering Frodo...?"

Yeah, what does this ONE WAY ticket to Valinor really give poor Frodo? Certainly it does not alter the "Gift of Men" portion of his humanity, Frodo, even in the Immortal Lands will age and eventually die. Mortals who do wind up in Valinor must receive a special alteration of their status(es) by Eru himself if they are to take up even the limited "immortality" of the Elves. (Elves live only as long as the musical theme of Arda continues to be played, and when Arda's theme ends, so do the "lives" of the Elves.) Mortals listed as possible entrants to Valinor are Frodo, Bilbo, Sam, and the Dwarf Gimli, all of whom are granted only a sojourn there. "They cannot abide for ever, and though they cannot return to mortal earth, they can and will 'die' -- of free will, and leave the world." (Letter #154: pp. 198-99).

Apparently, if they were so greedy, the Hobbits in "heaven," and Gimli could, theoretically, cling to continued life all the way up to the final note of the theme of Arda, and only die when the cosmos was finally unmade. I think Tolkien would have them "die" somewhat sooner, finding a point in time beyond which the required healings of their individual needs would make continued existence burdensome, and so, as a matter of free-will choice they would (literally) one day lay down to die.

I am not certain Arwen had the authority to pass her "ticket" over to the Hobbit. But I think she had the greatness of mind to understand that those in higher places would certainly ratify her act. Frodo was a mortal, called upon to dabble in the cosmic matters of the gods, called upon in fact to rectify the mistakes of the Ainur, and the excesses of the Noldor. What possible, mortal reward could there be for his sacrifice of body, mind, and spirit?

In Letter #246 JRRT presents us with a broken Frodo who could not/ would not stop condemning himself for the "failure" of his mission. However others might regard this "failure," Frodo -- as Tolkien paints him -- was gradually becoming obsessed with his sense of failure and consumed by guilt. "...one can observe the disquiet growing in him. Arwen was the first to observe the signs, and gave him her jewel for comfort, and thought of a way of healing him." (p. 327). Her method of securing a lasting "salvation" for Frodo, was doing all in her power to see him safely placed in Valinor.

In this letter, JRRT goes on to explain that the greatness of Arwen lay chiefly in her sensitivity and her correct understanding that Frodo's only hope for real healing was beyond this mortal realm. He opines that Arwen alerted Gandalf or Galdriel to the real nature and great depth of Frodo's suffering, and one -- or both -- of these figures then contacted the higher authorities in Valinor. In this sense, Arwen's offer, "Her prayer, might therefore be specially effective, and her plan [letting Frodo have her 'ticket'] have a certain equity of exchange." (Letter 246, p. 327)

Annie adds: "Tolkien does not give us Frodo’s response if he even gave one."

I wonder if Frodo's lack of response is a measure of his deep distraction? Is he so close to a final, perhaps deadly despair that he cannot even bark out a perfunctory "thanks, ma'am?" Even the jewel acts as only a partial palliative when Frodo's pains reach their height on the anniversary of his wounding by the Morgul blade, and the day of the Ring's destruction. Perhaps he was so far gone in his illness that even the promise of a trip to Valinor could not be seen as having any power to heal. I think Frodo needed to BE in Valinor before he could realize that such healing was something real?