Episode 10 Summary

[Tony Meade]

SESSION 10

Comment on Gandalf’s relationship with Hobbits at large:

• Gandalf recognizes Sam immediately, so he knows the Hobbits in Bilbo’s immediate circle.
• He doesn’t seem to know many Hobbits outside of that circle, though that had been true earlier.
• In earlier generations, it is clear that he was more familiar with other families, such as the Tooks.
• Since the hobbit children know him “by sight”, they know of him, but not him personally.
• Gandalf would stand out in the Shire, so he would be known by reputation among the Hobbits.

On Gandalf’s departure:

• The entire plan involving Frodo’s sale of Bag End and moving to Crickhollow seems to have been worked out by Frodo and approved by Gandalf at this point in the story.
• What news did Gandalf want to hear, and how did he hear it?
• Gandalf probably wants to hear news from the Rangers, who are patrolling the borders.
• He might have been prompted by news from a dwarf or a rumor from a hobbit.
• Gandalf also seems to think that there’s time to go and return, based on his current information.
• Gandalf may have had vague news of the Black Riders, piquing his interest.
• He is also having one of those intuitions that there is more going on than is obvious.
• Gandalf’s emphasis to Frodo is not to use the Ring.
• Frodo seems to actively delay in order to wait for Gandalf, based on their agreement.

The truly important matter of Mr. Baggins:

• It’s counterintuitive that Frodo puts out the news that he is leaving and going back to Buckland.
• He understands that Frodo disappearing like Bilbo would even cause more of a to-do.
• This news is going to be important in Hobbiton, but not any further, and the mundane reasons given for it make everything seem completely normal and non-fantastic.
• This also creates a certain amount of geographic uncertainty as to where he is currently.
• In Hobbiton, they know he left, but not exactly where he is headed.
• In Buckland, they would know he was coming but not when.

On Frodo’s source of income:

• This is not from landowning, so the riches of Frodo seem to be a lump sum of cash.
• Bilbo inherited from his parents and got some from his adventure to Erebor.
• Bungo Baggins married rich, and his money came from his wife, Belladonna Took.
• The Tooks and Brandybucks both are rich from landowning and farming.
• Note: In the early drafts, Frodo (or then, Bingo) had actually run out of money, and this was the reason for his departure and sale of Bag End. This is preserved here as a convenient excuse.

On Frodo’s condition:

• Frodo is restless and anxious of Gandalf’s lateness, though Frodo holds out hope for his arrival.
• Frodo’s choice to walk to Crickhollow instead of riding seems to be a slight delaying tactic.
• The reasons are legitimate, as he wants to get into training and take time to see the Shire.
• This is going to be a hobbit walking-party, and he doesn’t seem to have any sense of urgency.
• Frodo seems to be unable to let go of the Shire yet and is delaying leaving as long as he can.
• Unlike Bilbo, who runs off from the Shire twice, Frodo is lingering as long as possible.
• Also, unlike Bilbo, Frodo believes that this departure is a permanent farewell to the Shire. Bilbo’s ultimate destination was to return to Bag End, but Frodo is going into exile.
• Frodo’s one vague idea is to follow and possibly find Bilbo, which is as close to home as he’ll get.

The Gaffer vs The Black Rider:

• There is irony in Frodo choosing to walk to Buckland, while the Gaffer considers very far away.
• The Gaffer is clearly able to stand up to the Ringwraith and doesn’t suffer any ill effects.
• This is an indication of the difference of the power of the Nâzgul within the Shire.
• The Ringwraith is clearly articulate and able to speak in understandable language.
• The Gaffer has a little trouble understanding the Ringwraith, but that might be due to a strange voice, accent, or the Gaffer’s own deafness.
• The Gaffer seems more annoyed with the Ringwraiths undue familiarity and pressing questions than afraid of him. He thinks the Rider is strange, but he would think any outsider strange.
• Buckland would seem very far away from the Gaffer’s point of view, as Sam’s geographical range is only 20 miles. This small radius of traveling would be common in a pre-industrial culture.
• Are the Riders speaking in their old, foreign accents?

The departure of Frodo:

• Frodo still seems to have no sense of urgency about leaving and has no inkling about the true danger in the Rider talking to the Gaffer. He simply chalks it up to his nosy hobbit neighbors.
• The hobbit banter is clearly illustrated here, especially among those who are social peers. They insult each other as friends, and complaints in an exaggerated way are examples of “hobbitry”.
• Sam does not join in on the banter, and Frodo is kind to Sam in return. They do not banter.
• There is mutual respect between Frodo and Sam, though they are master and servant.
• The line about a “shapeless bag” that Sam called a hat is a charming line.

On the “thinking fox”:

• Some people refer to this fox as a “talking fox”, but the fox does not speak.
• It is simply a unique time where the narrator shows us the internal thoughts of an animal.
• The point of the passage is to emphasize the strangeness of hobbits traveling and camping.
• This is a relic of the original intent of the novel as a sequel to The Hobbit and retains the tone.
• Tolkien could have removed this at any time after the story grew but chose not to.
• The juxtaposition of the tone in this passage and the arrival of the Black Rider is striking
• This emphasizes the difference between the attitude of the hobbits on this walking party and the seriousness of the danger that is coming for them.

The hobbit walking-party continues:

• Pippin has been teasing Sam about his duties, but Frodo steps in to defend Sam.
• Frodo is not as afraid as he should be, but he takes the journey more seriously than Pippin.
• Pippin is clearly just on a camping trip. Frodo is off contemplating the beauty of the Shire.
• Note: the imagery used here is reminiscent of Tolkien’s old poem “Kortirion Among The Trees”.
• There are a lot of sea images used here, which implies that, for Frodo, this is an embarkation moment, as he sets off on a great journey.
• The sea, the sea-longing, and sea journeys are important in Middle-earth mythology.
• Pippin is thinking completely practically, assuming that Frodo is off to fetch water.

The road goes on forever:

• There are three different perspectives at play as they look at the road and river in the distance.
• Frodo is thinking about leaving the Shire forever, and the unknown adventure before him
• Sam is thinking about things of wonder and is imagining encounters with elves. This country is so foreign to Sam that he imagines that it must be somewhat magical.
• Pippin is only thinking about food, rest, and the route of travel. He’s just on a hike.
• Pippin answers Sam’s question about elves in the woods with a simple, down-to-earth answer.
• All of this imagery prompts Frodo to recite his version of the Road poem.

Frodo’s version of the Road poem:

• The only difference in the two versions are the “eager feet” of Bilbo and “weary feet” of Frodo.
• This makes a world of difference in the two characters viewpoints on their journeys.
• Bilbo is excited to begin a new journey, whereas Frodo knows that he is exiled, possibly forever.
• The “must” takes on a different context. For Bilbo, it reflects his desire; for Frodo, his duty.
• The “larger way” becomes ominous with Frodo. His trouble is too big for him in reality.

Frodo’s Bilbonic commentary:

• Frodo characterizes Bilbo’s assertions about the nature of the road and adventures in two minds. One is nostalgic and fun, while the other is ominous and threatening.
• Pippin is completely unromantic about the poem. He is just having fun in the mundane world.

END OF SESSION