Episode 254 Summary

[Tony Meade]

SESSION 254

To strike a flame:

• The emphasis is again on the physical experience of the Company, and on their interpretation of the events surrounding it, even though their thoughts are not spoken to each other.
• There is not just a sense of the direct experience, but what it may mean in the bigger picture.
• This is not done allegorically, nor purely symbolic, but through their experiences as portents.
• The use of the passive voice in being rejoiced is an unusual construction which points to the joy being a thing given to them, with their hearts used of the subject to which the joy is applied.
• Most of the emphasis is placed on the effect of the fire on their hearts, over the physical effects.
• The snow is anthropomorphized as the one entity that is unhappy with the appearance of fire.
• This is a stand-in for Caradhras itself, who has been using the snow and is being opposed.
• Note: It is unlikely that that the hobbits are barefoot in the snow, despite popular depictions.
• There is an invitation to picture the company facing each other with fire in the middle and the darkness behind, highlighting the line between their little circle and the outside world.
• Despite the comfort the fire brings, they can see the fatigue and concern in each other’s faces.
• This allows them to each see that they are not alone, neither in their joy nor their suffering.
• However, the mountain is not defeated, and they have merely held the threat at bay for a time.
• Note: It is important to remember that Tolkien himself was a painter, and that these kinds of tableaus are a result of his trying to capture with words what he might have painted as a scene. He often does both things, in which he paints a scene which he has described in the book.

To strike a flame:

• Note: The OED defines “faggot” as a bundle of sticks bound together to be used as fuel, and this usage was a common term up until the late 20th century and is also the root of the British slang for cigarettes. The derisive usage for the term is mostly of American origin and is more modern.
• Gandalf seems to be placing his staff in the middle of one of these bundles in order to light it.
• The green and blue flame seems to be coming forth from the wood itself, not from the staff.
• Since the bundle of wood is only held aloft for a moment, it’s likely that he is putting his staff in the midst of the wood and making it burst into flame before placing it back among the wood.
• The literal translation of Gandalf’s incantation is “fire be for the saving of us” in Sindarin Elvish.
• This is one of the few times in which actual magic is being performed in the story, and it requires both word and action, and the use of the staff seem to also be necessary for Gandalf as a tool.
• Note: Tolkien’s conception of the role of the staff in regard to the wizards’ magic seems to have changed over time, and therefore, whether it is a symbolic or an actual magical artifact is unclear. However, games like Dungeons & Dragons have been heavily influenced by the ideas of the use of magic in Tolkien, including the verbal and physical parts involved in performing spells. The confusion will continue on with the Rohirrim, and they have ideas about the roles of staffs.
• It seems that the primary element of Gandalf’s magic is the assertion of his will over the world.
• There is an emphasis on the saving of the Company as much as on the fire itself in the spell, and the wording of this is reminiscent of a prayer, as saving of the Company is not in his power.
• Note: That Gandalf has Narya, the Ring of Fire, is important in retrospect, but at this point in the writing process, the idea that Gandalf had Narya was not yet established. This was retroactively introduced later as an explanation for the phenomenon that was seen earlier in the book. A first-time reader would not know about Narya and wouldn’t have any reason to connect it. This is a similar phenomenon to his decision to make the story of Aragorn and Arwen as a parallel to Beren and Lúthien, which only has meaning looking back on the story from the end of it.
• While there are practical considerations for holding the wood aloft before igniting it, there is also a spiritual element, as evidenced by the use of the word “aloft” and the prayerful spell.
• Note: It’s possible that Frodo, as narrator, is misunderstanding the prayer of Gandalf as a spell.
• It does seem to be clear, because of the use of the staff, that Gandalf is instrumental in the creation of the fire, as it seems that power is coming either from him, or at least through him.

In signs that all can read:

• Gandalf does not seem to mean that he will literally be seen across all of the territory he names, but that anyone sensitive enough to magical workings would be aware of what he has done.
• He may not be mentioning Mordor as part of this in order not to invoke the name right now.
• Gandalf doesn’t seem to be worried about spies seeing them physically, as he has already voiced the fact that no one would see them in the storm, which is why he was willing to allow the fire.
• It is important that he is not talking about the light betraying the Company, but that he has revealed himself personally, but there’s a hope that those who can read the signs aren’t looking.
• This would seem to be dependent on anyone able to perceive his presence on them looking for him on the mountain, much like Aragorn reading physical signs when tracking in the wilderness.
• The phrase “written Gandalf is here” seems to be sheer hyperbole, as may be the geography.
• However, he believes that the deduction of who had done what he did would not be difficult because of the nature of creating fire, as this would already be heavily associated with Gandalf.
• Of all of their potential threats, the most likely would be to Saruman, as he knows Gandalf best, is nearest by, and their status as peers, as well as the prayerful nature of his exertion of power.
• Note: This way of using his power is revealing of Gandalf’s character, as exerting one’s will over the substance of the world is seen as suspect by Tolkien. So, his way of doing so in reverence and prayer shows that Gandalf is mindful of this danger and is only doing it in service to others. There is a parallel to the story of Elijah calling down fire to light his sacrifice, but in this case Gandalf is actually exerting his own native strength, and is asking for the blessing to do so.

END OF SESSION