The dual significance of the appearance Black Rider:
This is an important moment in the writing of the text, as this is the moment the story changed for Tolkien from a sequel to The Hobbit to something darker and more spic.
This is also an important moment within the story for the hobbits.
They have heard rumors of Mordor and dark doings outside of the Shire, but none of them expect to encounter them within the Shire.
This shows that there enough people visiting from outside to bring this news.
The hobbits have shown how provincial they are, to the point that people within a day or two’s journey have never visited each other and consider each other strange and queer.
This calls back to Gandalf’s warning that Frodo must be careful of who to trust.
Gandalf also warns about spies, but the idea of actual agents of Mordor within the Shire doesn’t seem possible to Frodo.
Even Gandalf himself doesn’t think that they could have reached the Shire yet.
The changing of Frodo’s attitude towards the Shire:
Frodo had thought the Shire hobbits were irritatingly dull, and often wished to leave it behind.
He was also impatient of their provincialism and self-satisfaction and wished for a shakeup.
He obviously doesn’t actually wish them harm, only something to shake them out of their complacency.
Frodo has changed his mind now in light of what he has learned.
If the Shire seemed too peaceful before, he now wishes for it to remain peaceful and isolated.
Before Frodo can even leave, that peace has been broken.
Comment on the difference between the two versions of the Road poem:
The difference is only one word, but it has a huge impact.
It is analogous to the difference between a song in a major key, and in a minor key.
Only one note is changed, but it changes the entire feel of the song.
Comment on the emptiness of Eriador:
Most of the locations of Eriador are mostly or completely unoccupied, especially in the south.
The Riders would have a hard time finding anyone to ask, much less cooperate.
Combined with the great distances, this further justifies Gandalf’s belief that the Shire can’t be found by the Enemy yet.
In Unfinished Tales, Tolkien feels the need to explain exactly how the Nâzgul found the Shire in “The Hunt for the Ring”.
In that story, he explains that they first attempt to get aid from Saruman, who, unbeknownst to Gandalf, is their ally, but Saruman doesn’t actually help them.
They use one of Saruman’s spies to find their way in the end, under threat.
Comment on the “thinking fox”:
This poses the question as to who the narrator of this passage is. Frodo? How would he know?
The fox never found out more, so probably not Frodo (or Radagast).
This raises the bigger question as to the in-story frame of authorship.
The text that we have is not Frodo’s original text, but one that has gone through many editions and additions, from Sam to Findegil and more, and Tolkien is only acting as translator/editor.
The ultimate narrator of The Lord of the Rings is Tolkien, in his capacity as “editor”.
The intervention of the modern narrator is more common in The Hobbit, but it also happens here, and the thoughts of the fox are an example of that.
Any time we see anachronisms and ironic comments, these are from the narrator.
The first sign of the Rider:
The three hobbits are not on the main East Road.
They would be most likely to meet strangers on that Road.
Frodo has taken a southern road from Tuckborough to Buckland to stay out of sight.
They would only expect to meet other hobbits on that road, if anyone.
The fact that it is night make them uneasy, as it would be unusual for anyone to be on that road at night.
They also have no reason to believe that any agents of the Enemy to be about. Frodo is only worried about nosy hobbits.
On Frodo’s senses:
Frodo’s sense that he needs to hide is a premonition, but the source is unclear.
Frodo seems to be the only one who senses this threat, even though Sam hears the horse.
It seems to be the dread of the Nâzgul that Frodo feels, and he seems to be the most sensitive to it.
This might be the long-term influence of the Ring, in his sensitivity to this.
This also shows us that there have already been consequences to Frodo owning the Ring.
It’s also possible that this could be “another power” at work.
Frodo is a little embarrassed of it and takes an apologetic tone with his companions.
The hobbits didn’t sign up for this. This was supposed to be a walking party.
Frodo understands that avoiding people on the road will seem a little weird.
Hobbits are generally very sociable, so to avoid people would be countercultural.
Even Farmer Maggot, who is isolated, is social and welcoming to visitors.
The idea of pranking Gandalf is merely an excuse to give to Sam and Pippin.
The Rider appears:
Frodo is very close to the Rider, who is only a few yards away behind a tree.
His desire to hide is in a battle with another feeling that Frodo doesn’t understand.
Frodo is obviously curious, like any other hobbit, but he’s not sure that’s the feeling.
Frodo senses this as internal feeling, so it probably is not coming from the Rider.
This is clearly the Ring at work in some way, wanting him to reveal himself.
No one else has this feeling, so this also points to the Ring.
The Ring operates by working through the bearer’s own thoughts and feelings.
The strangeness of the Rider:
The fact that this is a horse, and not a pony, points to the abnormal nature of the Rider.
The fact that this is a man, and not a hobbit, also makes this a strange encounter.
The dress of the Rider adds to the “otherness”. It is not cold enough to be hooded and cloaked.
Frodo perceiving the face of the Rider as “invisible” seems only be because the hood is deep and dark. At this point, Frodo has no idea that he wouldn’t see a face at all.
The Rider’s tracking is also unusual activity for a Big Person in the Shire, and the use of scent to do so makes it completely uncanny.
Hobbits are known to be very quiet, so the fact that the Rider knew to stop there is creepy.
This is the first time that the Ring has obviously acted on Frodo to get an action.
The Ring uses a fantasy of safety to tempt Frodo, and he begins to rationalize.
This makes sense to Frodo, who knows how Bilbo used the Ring on his journey.
The Ring also makes proactive counterarguments as Frodo has contrary thoughts.
This interaction is done in dialogue form, but Frodo doesn’t seem to be aware that he talking to the Ring. He feels like he’s talking to himself.
The Ring operates by offering what the bearer already wants. This is the temptation that Gandalf was so afraid of. It uses this to corrupt and destroy its bearers.
It’s obvious to us, the readers, that the Ring is trying to expose itself to the Rider.
Gandalf may have already been tempted, as the Ring can act on people nearby, like Boromir.
Gandalf also knows how Sauron operates, and would know the kind of temptations on offer.
Note on the Istari:
The Istari are a fairly recent arrival.
They have missed most of Sauron’s greatest works, and only know them as history.
Frodo saved by chance:
Frodo is giving into the Ring temptation when the Rider chooses to move on.
This is “luck”, as Bilbo would call it, so some other power may be at work here.
His luck goes all the way back to Hobbiton, when the Rider chooses not to go all the way up to Bag End first, instead stopping at the Gaffer’s house.
The Rider was probably sent to the Gamgees’ by others, as he’d know about Mr. Baggins.
The hobbits discuss the Rider:
Frodo has a suspicion as the identity of this Rider, and clearly understands that the Rider was looking for him specifically.
The fact that the Rider was smelling for him is uncanny and frightening.
Note: There is hint of the future trouble coming to the Shire in Frodo’s mention of trouble with big people in the South-farthing.
Frodo also understands that this is something else beyond that.
Frodo is trying to communicate his concerns and suspicions to Sam without giving things away to Pippin, who he is also trying to put on his guard without frightening him.
Sam’s surprising story:
It would seem surprising that the Gaffer wouldn’t have a more extreme reaction to the Black Rider as the strangest possible man he could meet.
Gaffer has no frame of reference of what is normal and strange among foreign Big People.
He simply thinks that this must be normal for Big People.
The Rider tries to intimidate the Gaffer with his stooping and hissing.
The Gaffer’s response is significantly understated. This reveals something of Gaffer’s character, as he is not daunted by the Rider.
This also shows something about the Nâzgul’s lack of power within the Shire.
Frodo’s reaction to Sam’s story:
Frodo is afraid that Sam was about to reveal to Pippin that the Rider is from Mordor.
He is surprised that Sam says that he comes from Hobbiton, and this is more disturbing.
Frodo is also surprised that Sam has timely and useful information on the Rider.
Sam is apologetic, understanding that he should have said something at the time.
Note: The understated description of the Black Riders is in contrast to the perception that we have of the Nâzgul later in the story.
Sam focuses on the smelling:
Sam is addressing Pippin when he mentions the smelling of the Black Rider.
Sam takes this as evidence that the same Rider that they saw is the one that spoke to the Gaffer.
Frodo knows his danger:
Frodo now understands that servants of the Enemy have caught up with him already.
Frodo’s first wish is for Gandalf and understands that they should have left earlier.
Frodo’s response to Pippin is all true but is deliberately obfuscating.
Pippin understands that Frodo is being evasive and responds with practicality and hobbitry.
Pippin is also making light of the threat of the Rider, referring to “invisible noses”, teasing Frodo.
Pippin is clearly disturbed by the Rider but is showing some mettle in brushing it off.
The second encounter with the Black Rider:
The description of the scene is notable for its use of starlight as illumination.
All Frodo can see is shade and shadows, not any actual objects.
The horse and rider are only shadows, and the swaying and snuffling of the Rider is uncanny.
This is clearly a monster of some kind. This is worse than the spies that Frodo feared.
One of the shadows mentioned as living in Mordor is now present in the Shire.
This encounter starts the change of tone away from The Hobbit to something else.
Frodo is saved by a song:
When the Elves appear, Sam’s first instinct is to go running after them. (“Elves, sir!”)
This is a bad idea in any fairy tale, as Elves will either disappear or abduct you.
While Frodo explains about the presence of the Elves, and how they drove off the Black Rider, Sam is not listening and is only interested in going to see them.
Sam at this point is unclear that he will get his wish to go see Elves.
Frodo is focused on the journey and his exile, while Sam is focused on the wonder.
Chance, if chance you call it:
This is the second time that they have been saved by chance from the Black Riders.
This is also the second time that Frodo has been tempted by the Ring.
This is the first time that we’ve seen the Ring actually overcome Frodo’s will and use his own body against him.
It is important to pay attention to the role of chance in the story.
We are reminded of the role of “other powers”, like Eru and the Valar.
Frodo’s resistance to the Ring.
Frodo is nearly overcome twice by the Ring, and he is aware of it.
He will have to become more resistant to the Ring soon.
Frodo will eventually succeed at growing stronger in resistance, which Gandalf comments on.
