Episode 294 Summary

[Tony Meade]

SESSION 294

Not silent and unmoved:

• Rather than speaking alone, it seems that Boromir is singled out by Gandalf to respond, as what Boromir says seems to give voice to the rest of the Company, with the exception of Aragorn.
• Boromir’s earlier appeal to a vote shows that he is actually in step with most of the Company.
• It’s probably for this reason that only Boromir’s words are chosen to be represented in the text.
• While Boromir was the one most against coming to Moria from the first, the basis of his first question seems to be about this particular spot on the shore of the lake, not Moria in general.
• Boromir’s glance over his shoulder at the water shows that he has some sense about the lake.
• This, combined with his fears about the wolves and being trapped against the wall, along with his foreboding about Moria, causes his strong reaction and loss of decorum towards Gandalf.
• While Boromir has not directly accused Gandalf of lying about his previous trip through Moria, he does raise the practical question given the situation that they now find themselves in.
• However, Boromir still does not actively campaign against Gandalf’s leadership of the Company.
• This combination of fear and bewilderment is what makes Boromir unusually lose composure.
• Gandalf had already staked his own reputation on the fact that he had been in Moria before.
• Since Boromir believes Gandalf’s story, as lying would be highly unusual, the fact that Gandalf doesn’t know how to enter does not make sense to him, and he needs to rectify that conflict.

To answer the questions:

• Much like when Gandalf latched onto Bilbo asking for pardon in their first conversation in The Hobbit, Gandalf seizes questions as what to respond to, even though they all are rhetorical.
• While Gandalf answers the first question with a promise that he will know soon, he responds to the second question by posing his own, which makes the second answer contingent on the first.
• Gandalf appeals for patience to see how everything plays out, since Boromir is being impatient.
• Boromir’s argument is that Gandalf’s not knowing the word makes the trip here useless already.
• There is a latent challenge in Boromir’s questions, to which Gandalf is also clearly responding.
• If Gandalf had not been forthcoming about his plan when Boromir asked if he did not know the opening word, Boromir would probably not have felt the need to ask the following questions.
• Gandalf only becomes obviously annoyed in response to the second question, which he feels either questions his knowledge or honesty, and this is the reason he pushes back at Boromir.
• He does give a certain amount of reassurance to the Company as a whole by asserting that he believes that he should be able to figure out the password if given a little time to work it out.
• However, unlike previous attempts to cheer the Company, he is putting on less of a good face.
• This is likely due to the pressure on Gandalf and need to concentrate on answering the riddle.
• Gandalf being deliberately insulting when impatient is nothing new, but there is more of an edge in this instance because he is responding to an accusation of incompetence or dishonesty.

Aragorn, who knew Gandalf well:

• From Gandalf’s point of view, Aragorn’s response is likely the only correct one, as Aragorn is staying silent, allowing him to concentrate, and being patient to wait while Gandalf works it out.
• While Aragorn is familiar with Gandalf and his methods, all of Boromir’s experiences have been negative, even though he has been told by his father to trust in the wisdom and lore of Elrond.
• Note: There is no evidence in the text that Gandalf and Boromir had ever met prior to Rivendell, and this is because the history that Gandalf later has with Faramir had not been written yet. Even if a reader were to project what is later said about Gandalf’s relationship with the House of the Stewards in Minas Tirith, there is no evidence that Boromir developed respect for Gandalf.
• There were already many other reasons why Boromir would not put himself forward as leader, but this is done out of a need to be politic, not from personal respect for Gandalf or Aragorn.
• Likewise, Boromir wasn’t chosen by Elrond because of who he is, but because of his destination.
• While Elrond doesn’t say that he takes this as a sign, it is consistent with his way of making these kinds of decisions, something that he likely passed on to Aragorn, who does use those words.
• It’s unknown what Gandalf’s original plan was for himself, such as going all the way to Mordor.

The wizard’s bristling brows:

• Pippin isn’t being rude to Gandalf by asking his question, but rather expressing genuine curiosity, even though under the circumstances, it is annoying for him to be interrupted.
• The “foolish questions” not only include Pippin’s, but also Boromir’s previous questions.
• His brusque response is intended to head off more questions, whether from Pippin or others.
• However, all their questions are fairly reasonable given the circumstances and what they know.
• The foolishness of the questions is rooted in lack of faith in Gandalf, and a need for reassurance.
• Gandalf is only exasperated because what he really needs is silence and time to think it through.
• Pippin’s question is much less confrontational or anxiety-driven as Boromir’s had been before.
• Gandalf’s threat and insult to Pippin’s hard head is escalation, but also in the spirit of hobbitry.
• In some ways, Gandalf is comfortable having this kind of exchange with Pippin, who can take it.
• The humor in Gandalf’s statement breaks some of the tension he had built up against Boromir.
• As the point of hobbitry is to actually speak about what one really means, though indirectly and to let off the pressure or discomfort of the situation, allowing one to shift towards the point.
• Note: This kind of banter is very British in nature, and there is evidence that this is similar to how Tolkien interacted with his friends in real life, such as C.S. Lewis, who also enjoyed hobbitry.

END OF SESSION