Episode 109 Summary

Tony Meade

Active Member
SESSION 109

Frodo takes his seat at the table:
  • What does the word “suitable” mean with regards to Frodo’s chair? Is this a low chair, suitable for hobbits, a normal chair with cushions, or a highchair? Possibly the latter, plus the cushions.
  • Note: We know that Bilbo has been living here for some time, so there would be hobbit-sized chairs to be used at the high table.
  • It seems to be when the food comes that Frodo stops feeling out of place, since he’s a hobbit.
  • Frodo’s place at the table is one of honor, and it is in his honor the feast is happening, but there doesn’t seem to be any indication that there is anything special about the chair itself.
  • It’s unlikely that the chair is greatly oversized, as his feeling of smallness is in spite of the chair.
  • The suitability may have more to do with the width than the height, for different proportions.
  • Note: Beorn’s chair in The Hobbit is described as very low but broad for Beorn’s measurements.
  • Why does Frodo not describe the food served, as we might expect from a hobbit? Neither here nor in The Hobbit is there a description of the food served at Rivendell, apart from bannocks.
  • Note: The food described in Tom Bombadil’s house is also a quote from the original poem.
  • Note: We hear a lot about the food in The Hobbit, and the food plays a large role in the story, but not much in The Lord of the Rings. There is a little about the food served by the Elves at Woodhall, and in a few other places like Bree, and the mushrooms they’re given by the Maggots. We are told that the Hobbits eat a lot at Bilbo’s party, but not what they are eating. This may come down to a difference in tone or audience, as The Hobbit was primarily children’s fiction. In many other examples from the genre, descriptions of food are important, such as in Narnia. Tolkien seems to leave this behind as the genre changes for The Lord of the Rings. When food is described, it is often to emphasize the similarity or difference from food in the Shire.
  • Having describe the high folk at the table, focusing on the food served might seem out of place.
  • It seems to be a joke at Frodo’s expense that he is so focused on eating that he hasn’t noticed anyone sitting him next to him. It may also be partly due to Frodo’s discomfort in the setting.
  • Frodo understands that it is an act of condescension, in the older meaning, from Elrond to offer Frodo a place at his table. He is being shown courtesy, but this makes him uncomfortable.
  • This is also Frodo’s first meal in many days and since being ill, so he will be very hungry.
  • Note: The list of possible guests that have sat at this high table in the past would be legendary.
The other hobbits as guests of honor:
  • Sam, Merry, and Pippin are at a side table, which in a medieval hall, for example would still be places of honor for those outside the host’s household.
  • Note: This is parallel to a wedding reception with assigned seating in the modern world. Everyone is an invited guest and is part of the festivities, and not expected to serve.
  • Sam doesn’t just want to serve Frodo out of a sense of his place and his responsibilities, but also because Frodo has just arisen from bed after being ill, and he wants to be with Frodo.
  • Waiting on Frodo would make Sam feel more at ease in this situation because it’s unfamiliar.
  • The Elves don’t tell Sam that he can’t wait on Frodo at all, but only for this very special occasion. This fits with the courtesy of the Elves, acknowledging his discomfort but wanting to honor him.
  • Note: The act of service of someone in high honor as an honorable action was something more valued in older times, whereas in modern times, being in service is denigrated and seen as menial. Among nobility, acting in service for one of higher rank was a privilege.
  • Sam is also uncomfortable having others serve him but is an honor for those doing the serving.
  • Note: Merry and Pippin will serve the high table for Aragorn and Éomer at Cormallen later. Pippin had waited upon Denethor in Minas Tirith before this, and in medieval times, squires and pages were expected to wait upon their knights as part of their preparation to become knights. Beregond comments that Pippin was acting as a page for his lord.
Glóin at your service:
  • Frodo has good manners, and he’s learned from Bilbo’s stories the proper manners for Dwarves.
  • Frodo probably didn’t literally “rise” from his seat, but probably had to descend from the seat to bow, taking the cushions with him, unless he stood up on the chair, which would be impolite.
  • Does Glóin have cushions as well? Probably, but he would not be surprised by this courtesy, and therefore didn’t knock all the cushions off when he stood to bow.
  • Having Glóin sit next to Frodo is also an act of courtesy, as Frodo would enjoy meeting Bilbo’s friends from his journeys, as opposed to a stranger with whom he wouldn’t speak.
  • This is another piece of Bilbo’s story come to life, but more intimate as it is one of the people.
  • We have seen other aspects Bilbo’s journey recontextualized for Frodo’s journey, but this is more purely nostalgic, as Glóin is doing exactly the things described in the stories.
  • Glóin’s color has always been white, which is what he wears, but now his beard is white, too.
  • The major difference now is the richness of Glóin’s attire, which shows the changes in situation.
  • Glóin is now a “lord of dignity and power”, but in a Dwarvish way, as opposed to an Elvish way.
  • Note: Why is Glóin the one chosen to reminisce about Bilbo? Tolkien would have considered which dwarf to sit next to Frodo and having had Glóin disparage Bilbo at the start of The Hobbit, that would have been on his mind while writing this passage where he praises Bilbo.
  • How did Frodo get up into his chair the first time, if Glóin helps him now? Possibly one of the serving Elves helped Frodo after showing him to his seat.
  • Glóin shows real courtesy to Frodo by helping him, as this would be an embarrassing situation.
  • There is a juxtaposition between Glóin confirming his identity to Frodo, acknowledging his fame and fortune, while simultaneously picking up cushions for Frodo courteously.
  • Glóin also saves Frodo some discomfort by not making him tell about himself and his story.
  • Glóin is there as an ambassador, but his courtesy seems to be natural and not just his mission.
Politely avoiding questions:
  • Glóin is probably fishing for some information, but he is also showing Frodo honor. He has only ever known one hobbit, and Bilbo would normally be delighted to tell his story.
  • Glóin would’ve been informed about Frodo’s situation because it was important to his embassy.
  • Part of Glóin’s job would be to report back about anything relating to dealings with the Enemy.
  • The Dwarves would also be aware of the Ringwraiths and would understand the danger.
  • Glóin may have asked if hobbits have made adventures since Bilbo’s time, and been told not.
  • He also lets on that he understands that important events are unfolding, but he gives Frodo a clear out so that he doesn’t expect Frodo to tell more, and that he won’t be insulted.
  • Frodo’s inclusion of Glóin in his refusal to speak of the situation makes it a joint decision, but by saying “not yet” he is leaving it open for another time.
  • Frodo also thinks that the decision will not be his, but that this isn’t a barrier between them.
  • No one has told Frodo not to speak of the Ring, but he feels this impulse on his own. Is this impulse coming from the Ring? Is this a feeling of possessiveness and secrecy?
  • Gandalf had hushed Pippin earlier in order to keep evil things out of the valley, but the Ring is already there, so, presumably, there would be no reason to hide it now.
  • Glóin also already knows about Bilbo’s ring, but not it’s true nature yet, so it isn’t that reason.
  • This may be simple wisdom based of Gandalf’s words, but he will show reluctance later, too.
  • Frodo’s desire to forget his troubles is similar to the rationalizations used in Ring temptations.
  • The ambiguity shows that Frodo is not a slave to the Ring yet, but we have seen him be changed by his time with the Ring. This ambiguity seems to be part of the insidious nature of the Ring.
  • It is difficult to distinguish between reason and rationalization under the influence of the Ring.
  • Frodo is able to change the subject with a courteous reciprocation of the honor shown to him.
  • Glóin doesn’t know how much Gandalf has told Frodo about the current situation before this.
  • There may be an uncertainty as to Frodo’s role and importance in Gandalf’s and Elrond’s plans.
  • What is meant in Glóin’s look at Frodo? Is he curious about if Frodo is also seeking for information? What Frodo asks is perfectly logical, but it is a pointed question in this situation.
  • Glóin may decide after this look that Frodo is simply being polite and not pressing for news.
  • While Frodo leaves a future time to speak vague, Glóin points toward the upcoming council. Glóin has likely been stalled by Elrond and asked to wait for the council that is in the morning.
  • Note: That the word “summon” is used is ironic in that Elrond will say that he hadn’t summoned them all to Rivendell and that they had all arrived as if by chance.
  • Glóin makes another smooth transition to change the subject by opening up other avenues. This saves the conversation from awkward silence and allows them to converse more easily.
END OF SESSION
 

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