Lincoln Alpern
Active Member
In my latest reading of Chapter 3 for this class, I was struck by an incident which I've passed over in previous readings (buoyed by Rob Inglis' stellar narration). Frodo and Gildor are immersed in a very heavy, and tense conversation about Frodo's mission, and how fearful his situation is, and on top of all that, Gandalf, who was supposed to return long since, is still nowhere in evidence. Gildor replies with the famous "Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards," line, and tells Frodo it's his choice whether to wait for Gandalf or leave at once.
We've already seen Frodo match the Elves' banter with his own, so that's not surprising. However, this is an incredibly light-hearted response, given the seriousness of Frodo's predicament and the obvious fear showing in his dialogue both before and after this line. It would make sense in the mouth of an Elf, who has seen many fair and foul things come and pass in his long years - but Frodo is Mortal, and more likely to get caught up in the immediate danger of the situation than to take a longer view.
So I have to wonder: why the sudden bout of levity on Frodo's part at this point in the story?
'And it is also said,' answered Frodo: 'Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.'
We've already seen Frodo match the Elves' banter with his own, so that's not surprising. However, this is an incredibly light-hearted response, given the seriousness of Frodo's predicament and the obvious fear showing in his dialogue both before and after this line. It would make sense in the mouth of an Elf, who has seen many fair and foul things come and pass in his long years - but Frodo is Mortal, and more likely to get caught up in the immediate danger of the situation than to take a longer view.
So I have to wonder: why the sudden bout of levity on Frodo's part at this point in the story?