Episode 142 Summary

[Tony Meade]

SESSION 142

A brief summary of The Hobbit:

• Bilbo’s not being displeased shows that any complaining and Elrond’s response were merely banter. There is also a deadpan joke about Bilbo in his not omitting any of the riddles.
• It would take Bilbo nearly an hour to tell the full story of his adventures with Gollum.
• Why is Bilbo not allowed to tell the story of the Party and its aftermath? It’s possible that the people are simply starting to get bored and hungry, but this seems deliberate by Elrond.
• Of the two stories, the tale of his giving up the Ring is more relevant to the nature of the Ring.
• Even knowing Gollum’s story, the effects of the Ring on Bilbo might not be as obvious. It was the moment of Bilbo’s departure that caused Gandalf to fully suspect that his ring was the One Ring.
• Bilbo knows nothing of Gollum’s story and how the Ring ruined him, which would be left to Gandalf. That means that his story about after the party would be also be much shorter.
• There may be an effort to protect Bilbo from shame, and they are more concerned with the Ring’s provenance than its powers, but a revelation of its power would help confirm its identity.
• Its unclear that Bilbo would feel shame about his parting with the Ring, given his understanding.
• It doesn’t seem like the Wise would omit evidence in order to protect Bilbo’s feelings, though it is probably more dangerous for him to see the Ring again, which he already has.
• Though Bilbo’s giving up the Ring voluntarily is a uniquely great deed, Elrond passes this over.
• If they were only concerned with the Ring’s provenance, then Bilbo telling the story of the riddle game seems unnecessary, and yet Elrond allows it, but doesn’t allow the Party story.
• Do any of them know that the Ring makes mortals invisible? It would be known around Erebor, but Bilbo telling the story of using the Ring to escape Gollum would show this to the others.
• Does Elrond know the whole story of Bilbo’s leaving Bag End? Gandalf has had many years to discuss this with Elrond, and they have clearly discussed Bilbo and the Ring before this.
• Bilbo also wouldn’t have hesitated to tell the Party story of his own volition, much like now.
• Note: From a textual point of view, the Party story is much closer to this than the riddle game.
• This may be an editorial choice on Elrond’s part to keep the stories within a particular narrative.
• If provenance were the only concern, there would be no clear connection between Isildur and Gollum, beyond the coincidence of the Gladden Fields, and that story isn’t even told here.
• Its possible that the reason that Elrond seems to be starting in the middle of the story is because Bilbo interrupted, and was then allowed to speak first. This may not have been the original plan.
• It’s possible that Elrond is starting with all of the provable facts first before they delve into speculation based on Gollum’s dishonest testimony and Gandalf’s connective theories.

Quite a long tale, but incomplete:

• Frodo’s story would have taken a very long time to tell, and even longer with questions included, however the use of the passive voice tells nothing about who questioned it.
• It seems safe to assume that Elrond himself was not the only questioner, but questions came from people in the room generally, with the possible exception of Boromir.
• Why is Frodo less willing than Bilbo? Is this a personality difference, or that Bilbo is more familiar with the audience? Frodo’s story is both more recent and more unpleasant.
• Is the influence of the Ring involved in Frodo’s reticence? There are no clear markers of Ring activity that we’ve seen before, but we also don’t get any of Frodo’s thoughts here.
• If Frodo is thinking that he is working up to the moment of giving up the Ring, he would be approaching that moment quickly at the culmination of his testimony.
• Its interesting that Bilbo’s story wasn’t interrupted, while Frodo is being questioned, but they may have needed to prompt him to continue and tell his full story, which is more relevant.
• While Bilbo’s story was a long time ago, Frodo may start to suspect that his story isn’t over.
• Note: In the original drafts, Frodo told his story after Gandalf’s, as his was the most recent.
• The focus on the Black Riders is interesting as it is not explained to Frodo or to the reader.

Bilbo’s review and critique:

• Bilbo seems to be wanting to lighten the mood for Frodo, and it is within Bilbo’s normal idiom to think of it within the genre of storytelling, which Bilbo loves.
• Frodo is forced to relive his trauma in front of everyone, and Bilbo is pulling him back out again. He is inviting Frodo to reflect on the story objectively, and not to dwell on his own experience.
• Bilbo also praises Frodo, even laying any blame for the flaws in the storytelling on the others. This is a kindness on Bilbo’s part, knowing how hard this experience was for Frodo.
• Bilbo has shown here, as in the Hall of Fire, capability in managing tricky emotional experiences.
• This may be similar to something he would have said in Bag End, and so familiar and comforting.
• Bilbo also presumes that he will be the one to write this story out in the end as his job. He seems to have become more interested in storytelling over the years, until it is his primary focus.
• He may be concerned with what kind of legacy he will leave behind, given his advanced age.
• By offering to go over all the events again together, he is not only writing the book, but to be there to support Frodo when that happens, and not immediately, which removes any pressure.
• Bilbo probably already suspects that Frodo will have to take on the rest of the quest, and if so, is planting the seeds for a hopeful future for Frodo after he returns, in order to keep up his spirits.

Frodo’s questions return:

• Note: Since Gandalf wouldn’t give any details to Frodo before about his absence besides his capture, so Frodo is bringing it up again, which is also the mystery on the minds of the readers.
• Within the apparent agenda of the meeting, Gandalf’s capture doesn’t seem as relevant now.
• Bilbo’s and Frodo’s conversation is an aside, as the rest of the room is perhaps talking among themselves after Frodo’s testimony. However, it does seem as though they are speaking audibly.
• They may be overheard by Galdor because they are speaking loudly or because of Elvish hearing.
• Note: Elvish hearing is presumably more acute than mortals’, as Haldir will tell them that they could hear the hobbits well enough to shoot them in the dark, and Frodo tells Sam that Gollum can hear as keenly as Elves, meaning that he is using Elvish hearing as the absolute standard. Legolas’ keen vision seems to be unique to him among the Elves, as his earlier namesake in Gondolin was primarily known for his sharp eyes.
• Even if Frodo and Bilbo are not deliberately hoping to be overheard, they are speaking privately, but not secretly and wouldn’t be bothered about it.

Calling for an expert witness:

• Galdor’s echoing of Frodo’s question is to him directly, though he cries this out loud for all to hear to call attention from the Council before addressing Elrond in their hearing.
• His questions directly echo Boromir’s, though he may be seen as a more neutral party. Galdor has also ruled himself out as one of the Wise, as he still reserves a different view from them.
• Frodo would not shout out in order to bring the meeting back to order, but Galdor can and will.
• Galdor pointedly does not mention Gandalf, focusing on the need for more information now.
• His emphasis on the absence of Saruman is understandable due to his specialty in ring lore, as Gandalf may bear a message from him, and not necessarily as a slight to Gandalf as the Wise.
• However, this only works as a tactic in the Council if he suspects that Gandalf has the answers, which therefore provides a more detailed segue to Gandalf on all of those topics.
• Other than prompting Frodo to show the Ring, Gandalf has not yet spoken in the Council.
• The distinction between Frodo and Galdor is that Frodo wanted to hear more about Gandalf, while Galdor broadens that topic in what he wants to hear from Gandalf.
• Note: The number of the wizards isn’t known to be five until Gandalf confronts Saruman at Isengard, and the two Blue Wizards are not named so until after the writing of this book.
• Galdor’s question seems genuine and reflects the respect and trust the Elves have in Saruman.
• He doesn’t necessarily call on Gandalf for present the proofs but wants to know what Saruman would or does say on the subject, possibly relayed through Gandalf or others.

END OF SESSION