Episode 255 Summary

[Tony Meade]

SESSION 255

Snowstorms on January 12th:

• The fact that this night becomes so imprinted in Frodo’s mind as the narrator is important, as it shows the misunderstandings and learnings happening among the hobbits at this time.
• We are prompted that this is not as climactic as the events that will come later by Frodo’s dream of Bilbo saying that he did not need to report the snowstorm when he comes back to Rivendell.
• Rather than say little about it, Frodo preserves their early sense of wonder and ignorance.
• This paces along with the readers as they go along in their journeys along with the characters.
• That experience of the reality of the Middle-earth as though it was first-hand is unique in novels.
• The hobbits continue this as they acknowledge how much they have changed at each stage.
• In this case, there is a focus on the small sensual details that allow us to step into the scene, which is the snowflakes that fall out of the dark and then disappear, which is tiring to watch.
• That, along with the cold, is exhausting for the Company, and with that also their dread of it.
• All of this contributes to their sense of powerlessness against the snowstorm and the mountain.
• Sleep is given agency over Frodo, presented as creeping over him, like Old Man Willow did to them, and what happened in the Barrow-downs, though in those cases it was an external effect.
• In all these cases, there is an ambiguity as to the cause of sleep, directly and indirectly alike.

The snow growing less:

• Once the last bit of wood is thrown on the fire, it would be clear that if the snow does not let up within a few hours, they will be doomed and unable to escape the mountain at all.
• Note: Pointing out that dawn is not far off is repeatedly used by Aragorn as a sign to be hopeful.
• Literally speaking, the sunrise is likely to not make much difference in their physical survival, so Aragorn pointing out the dawn in this case is more symbolic, and a blind hope for a better day.
• The hope that Aragorn offers is more in line with estel than amdir, not concrete reassurance.
• Gimli’s comment is also less about the physical light and more about whether they have hope.
• Boromir’s response is not to make any assurances, but to make a concrete observation of hope.
• Frodo is unable to see any of the signs that Boromir is taking as amdir, knowing much of snow.
• Boromir makes if clear that he is looking for signs by stepping away from the fire in order to see.
• The fact that Legolas is not the first to notice the change shows that he is not in tune with snow in the mountains as a phenomenon, both because of his own experience and Silvan nature.
• Note: There is a theme in Tolkien regarding the relative lack of life experience among Elves compared to humans, given their longevity. This is related to their contentedness with their homes and having no sense of urgency to do things with a given time period or miss out. This difference Elvish experience will be shown later through Legolas, but at this point, the focus is on the experience that the mortals are having and sharing that experience with the readers.
• We don’t know what would happen with the Ring if the mortals among the party were to die.
• Given Gimli’s high opinion of Caradhras’ greatness, his grumbling is seen as important.

The wind is quieter:

• While it is possible to interpret Boromir’s actions and observations as in competition with Aragorn, what he says indirectly supports Aragorn’s estel as the leader with his own amdir.
• Boromir respects the chain of command as a military man and is intent on following it.
• It’s important that even when he does not agree with a policy, he follows it, such as the blowing of his horn, which he has not done since he was asked not to do again in Rivendell.
• This is more evidence of his diplomacy while still doing what he feels is right for the Company.
• Note: Boromir is continually set up as a classic hero character and that the fault for his fall was with the evil in the Ring, not because of his own malice or failure, and why he was beloved. It seems important to Frodo to emphasize this fact after the journey for Boromir’s sake, just as there is emphasis placed on Aragorn’s struggles with his place as a leader and heritage. Therefore, the interactions between the two characters is also emphasized for posterity.

END OF SESSION