Episode 221 Summary

Tony Meade

Active Member
SESSION 221

A great wonder of change on Bill the pony:
  • Much of the change that is noted on Bill is likely from simply being fed well with good food.
  • Note: While we may speculate that the comments about Bill were added in later by Sam, much like Frodo’s comments on wanting to hear more of Sam’s talk in retellings of their story, which Sam takes as teasing, this appears to give Frodo a chance to include more of his talk. This kind of verbal aside is rare in the book, but more from Sam than any of the rest of the Company. His love for Sam’s ability to make him laugh is crucial to keeping his spirits up later in Mordor.
  • Frodo’s initial suspicion of taking on Bill from Ferny was in line with his grown distrust of everyone in Bree, but Aragorn understood that no animal would collaborate with Ferny.
  • Why does Sam choose to name the pony “Bill” in the first place? It might be short for “Bill’s pony”, but this seems unlikely given Sam’s feelings about Bill Ferny’s treatment of the pony.
  • Sam had already made friends with the pony on the way to Rivendell which continues now.
  • This may be an attempt by Sam to redeem the name “Bill”, seeing the pony as more worthy.
  • It could also be a bit of hobbit humor, and an extension of the hobbitry among their friends.
  • Sam has not engaged in much hobbitry thus far, but this has been because of the apparent inequality of status between him and the other hobbits, and not that he doesn’t do it at all.
  • Note: We won’t really see Sam engage in hobbitry until later, especially with Gollum, but also when he encounters hobbit shiriffs, with whom he is on a level, upon his return to the Shire.
  • The fact that Bill is referred to as “the poor beast” shortly before this emphasizes the change.
A nearly-talking pony:
  • Sam’s insight on the internal changes with Bill shows that he not only understands how Bill is feeling, but that his stay in Rivendell has affected him in ways that are more than physical.
  • This is similar to what can be seen with a horse like Asfaloth, who can understand Elvish speech.
  • Sam’s mention of Pippin could also be a gentle bit of hobbitry, in comparing him to Bill the pony.
  • The most obvious parallel among the Company would be Sam, but also Merry and Pippin, who are coming on the quest out of loyalty, and Sam is to Frodo as Bill the pony is to Sam himself.
  • Just as Sam doesn’t want Frodo to have to go alone into Mordor, so does Bill want to with Sam.
  • Sam is paraphrasing Pippin’s objection to Elrond in his desire to go along even if he is not taken.
  • Bill is also showing a level of self-sacrifice in choosing to go with Sam, as his life has never been better than in Rivendell, but Bill is giving up comfort and safety for the dangers of the road.
  • Sam also parallels Bill by acting as bearer of burdens for Frodo throughout, as Aragorn notes.
  • There is also fellow feeling between Sam and Bill as kind of peers, as both are working servants. All of the other members of the Company are high status among their respective peoples.
  • Note: It’s important that this sets Sam up as a stand-in for the readers, and is looking up at everyone else around him, which emphasizes their legendary stature, even the other hobbits.
  • This kind of treatment that Sam gives Bill, a beast of burden, is a sign of Sam’s great humility.
  • Note: This contrasts with Sam’s treatment of Gollum, which speaks to his particular character.
The only member of the Company not depressed:
  • It seems as though Sam is projecting his own loyalty to Frodo onto Bill’s affection for him. At the least, he is able to clearly recognize the same feeing in others that he himself is experiencing.
  • However, if Bill did not sincerely want to go, it would have been noted by those like Gandalf.
  • It’s important that Bill is mentioned as a member of the Company, with a specific job to do.
  • Note: We may read this as Frodo the narrator playing along with Sam’s dialogue to highlight the comedy of it, though this is not done at Sam’s expense, and he says these things with earnestness. Frodo simply takes delight in Sam’s talk, and it makes him happy to report it.
  • The depression in the other members of the Company was related to the setting of this evening.
  • Bill is going with Sam, so he doesn’t feel the same depression, which is also revealing about Sam.
  • Boromir had tried to cheer and motivate them with the horn blast, but it didn’t seem to work.
END OF SESSION
 

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