Episode 253 Summary

Tony Meade

Active Member
SESSION 253

Between fire and death:
  • While Boromir has shown patience and restraint in his criticism of the Company’s leadership, it is at this point that he asks for action to be taken, as he thought was happening before.
  • Gandalf’s action had been to pass around the miruvor, but Boromir is thinking more practically.
  • Boromir asks gently enough, even quoting back Gandalf’s line as a means to convince him.
  • He also goes back to his objection to the emphasis on secrecy, but this reveals that Boromir has not yet understood the full consequences of their being discovered or the Ring claimed.
  • Boromir does not underestimate the power of Sauron, but he doesn’t agree with the premise of the quest to destroy the Ring, as he was sent into the North to bring back aid for Gondor.
  • While Aragorn is who was mentioned in the dream prophecy, the deployment of an heir to the throne is not as practical as the use of the Ring in defeating Sauron directly, not secretly.
  • Boromir is only accompanying the Company as long as he must to return to Minas Tirith, though he does acknowledge the will of the Council and allowing the leaders of the Company to decide.
  • Note: It’s likely that the things that Boromir will later say to Frodo at Parth Galen are things that he has been thinking since the Council, and he doesn’t seem to be convinced by their wisdom.
  • It’s likely Boromir would be more inclined to direct action if discovered, and even using the Ring, if necessary, which is in alignment with the idea that using the Ring is the only way to victory,
  • However, despite his objections, he has submitted to the Council and tried to be diplomatic.
  • Note: The crisis point in this relationship has not yet been reached, and at this point the Ring is headed toward Minas Tirith, but once a decision must be made, that relationship will change.
Hidden from all unfriendly eyes:
  • Boromir fails to understand Gandalf’s decisions in the light that the loss of the Company in the mountains is preferable to Sauron locating them so far from Mordor and taking back the Ring.
  • Having grown up near Mordor, Boromir may simply expect Sauron to learn of the Company’s location sooner or later anyway, and so would think that it’s best to seek speed to a safe place.
  • Note: The popular line from the films regarding simply walking into Mordor is appropriately given to Boromir as someone who has grown up in its Shadow and seen its power firsthand.
  • Boromir has probably never been through the Morgul Vale or the Black Gate, but he would have been to Ithilien, and probably has seen the former two personally as well as the Ephel Duath.
  • He probably also cannot imagine that Frodo would even be willing to try to enter Mordor, and that once they reach Minas Tirith, the Company will be convinced to stay, possibly by Denethor.
  • Boromir is too earnest for sarcasm but does express his skepticism through wryness and humor.
  • Gandalf does not react to Boromir as if the was being cutting in his remarks, as he would be more than willing to return the barb in kind but responds with as much gentleness as Boromir.
  • Gandalf seems to acquiesce to Boromir’s reminder of his earlier words and agrees with them.
  • While there had been tension between Boromir and Aragorn, he has accepted Aragorn’s claim, and was not unmoved or unimpressed with Aragorn when meeting him during the Council.
  • Boromir has also heard about Gandalf as Mithrandir down in Minas Tirith, if not seen him, and that combined with the possession of Elendil’s sword by Aragorn will inspire his respect.
  • It’s likely that he was moved, as Frodo was, by the collection of people at the Council.
  • Likewise, Aragorn has expressed his respect for the valor of Boromir, and he had probably spent time with Boromir while scouting prior to the departure of the Company from Rivendell.
  • Therefore, this exchange seems to show more mutual respect than exasperation between them.
  • Gandalf also shows his priority for secrecy by allowing the fire only under the conditions that no one would be able to be out in the storm and able to see them anyway, more than survival.
  • Note: It is important that the narrator does not express the thoughts of either Boromir himself or what the others think about him, so we are left to interpret his character through reactions.
  • Gandalf saying “if you can” is an agreement with the desperation of their situation, and because he had doubted that they would be able to light a fire with what they had brought with them.
  • This practical consideration of how they would use fire-making materials was part of the reason Gandalf and Aragorn had not considered the idea of making fire in their plans, anyway.
END OF SESSION
 

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