Episode 261 Summary

Tony Meade

Active Member
SESSION 261

To the great drift:
  • The description is given from the point of view of Pippin, and he measures the snow by Boromir.
  • There is alliteration of “sh” sounds in the sheer wall and it being sharp as if shaped with knives.
  • In alliterative poetry, the alliterated words aren’t necessarily the most important, or that they are all intrinsically connected, but the effect does highlight those words as a linked group.
  • This alliterated sound draws attention to the sound of the sliding and shifting snow in the scene.
  • There is a likewise alliteration of “b”, “c”, “d”, “r” and “s” sounds, which adds to the same effect.
  • The connected alliterative phrases are entangled in a way that makes them subtler and poetic.
  • Note: This shows Tolkien’s expertise and affection for alliterative poetry coming out in his prose, which becomes more explicit in places like Éomer’s poem on the battlefield at Pelennor Fields.
  • Many of the alliterated consonants are plosives, which add to the onomatopoeic feel of the text.
  • Note: By keeping the prose simple, it allows the reader to scan past the description if they want, but the style of description is often what captures the imagination of Tolkien fans when reading.
A fall of stones and slithering snow:
  • There is an air of significance attached to the seemingly natural events that are happening.
  • The sharp edge of the snowdrift shows the action of the wind coming up the path, which i9s evidence of the purposeful direction blowing toward the company to trap them there.
  • The use of “beaten” and “bridge” shows that what Boromir and Aragorn were engaged in was like a physical fight against the snow itself to provide the Company with an escape route.
  • There is a clear sense that they are crossing out of the realm of Caradhras and into another.
  • Just like Tom Bombadil had clear boundaries for his land, Caradhras has similar limits of rule.
  • From the evidence left by the storm, it is suggested that the intention of Caradhras did not intend to simply kill the Company, since the snow has stopped, and no stones rolled before.
  • Since the mountain seemingly waits until Frodo, the last of the companions, to trigger the falling of the stones, the intent appears to be to drive the Company out of his land if he can’t trap it.
  • The shaping of the drift suggests that the mountain has very precise control over the snow.
  • Note: Gimli will show with his words afterwards that he believes that the intent of the mountain was to drive them away, and by making haste, they can appease his anger so they can escape.
  • There is an implied link to Frodo in the mountain’s attention, and that the Ring may be at play.
  • This is part of a greater pattern including Old Man Willow, the Barrow-wight, and others who cannot use the Ring, but wants to trap and hold them, and then absorb them into themselves.
  • Though Old Man Willow and Caradhras are both old and bitter, they do not wish to simply kill.
  • It is notable that Old Man Willow deliberately draws the hobbits to himself with his song, while Caradhras wants to prevent the Company from penetrating any further into his territory.
  • It’s possible that Frodo singing a song of defiance and provoked a response among the trees.
  • Note: Tolkien often says more in original drafts of explanations that become implied in revision.
  • There is also the possibility that Sauron’s actual influence may be at work, directly or indirectly.
  • Note: While Morgoth’s influence may be seen in a more general sense in the corruption of Arda, Caradhras’ malice seems to be his own personal choice rather than a form of fealty to another.
The narrow but well-trodden track:
  • It’s notable that no one is carrying Gimli, unlike the hobbits, probably due to his weight, which would be substantially increased by his wearing of mail, which would also be extremely cold.
  • The order of departure is highly orchestrated to allow Merry and Pippin to go first and be left on their own, as they are the comparatively least important of the Company before the rest come.
  • It is important that Frodo is always in the largest group and in company of Gandalf or Aragorn.
  • Aragorn seems to take it on himself to carry Frodo rather than allowing Boromir to do it, and though this may not imply distrust of Boromir, at the least Aragorn sees it as his responsibility.
  • Note: In the film, there is an earlier implication that Boromir is being affected by the Ring and that the others are aware of that and openly distrust him, though that is not yet at play here.
  • Aragorn understands that being the Ring-bearer is a burden and not a privilege, and he is willing to take on that burden in a supportive way to Frodo, just as Sam has taken on the burden, too.
  • It’s possible that Boromir volunteered to take Sam rather than Frodo to avoid any awkward appearance of impropriety, and that he may be consciously avoiding the temptation of the Ring.
END OF SESSION
 

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