Episode 53 Summary

Tony Meade

Active Member
SESSION 53

Comment on Hobbit aristocracy:
  • Sam seems to have an innate common sense, whereas the aristocratic hobbits need to be taught to be wary through experience.
  • Note: This sort of anti-aristocratic parody is something that has an appeal to Americans.
  • Sam, being less sheltered or pampered, has more practical experience and knowledge.
  • The three aristocratic hobbits have been influenced by Bilbo and are more open to the outside world and to adventure than mainstream hobbits or the older generations.
  • The point is that however open they are in theory; they don’t have any real-world experience simply because they are hobbits. They don’t really know what to do in the face of danger.
  • Part of the reason that Sam holds back in comparison to the other three is that as a working-class hobbit, he won’t put himself forward in the way the higher-class hobbits might.
  • Is Tolkien critical of the concept of aristocracy? Not specifically. Even when people who are aristocratic behave badly, he is critical of behavior, not of their position.
  • In Tolkien’s writings, his criticism is of a leader’s character, not necessarily their qualifications.
  • Tolkien also follows the mythic significance of aristocracy, not it’s practical failures.
  • Is there an example of a democracy in Middle-earth? No, as Lake-town is an oligarchy and the Shire is primarily an anarchy. The Master is chosen by the wealthy, and the Mayor has no power.
  • Do the chief families hold sway in their lands in the Shire? Probably only within the families, but, for example, the Tooks could not make or enforce decrees over other families in the Tookland.
  • There are Shirriffs, but no Sherriff (Shire reeve) in the Shire. When Lotho appoints himself the Chief Shirriff, this is a breach of hobbit culture and tradition.
  • Tolkien is not interested in the political consequences of nobility, but rather the mythic concepts, which comes from medieval ideas of the roots of nobility in their characters.
  • The debate between inherent nobility and inherited nobility was fierce in the Middle Ages.
A quiet talk with Strider:
  • Frodo has already had two conversations with Strider, but Pippin may not have even noticed Strider before he appears in the hobbits’ parlor, which explains his surprise.
  • Note: The exclamation point at the sight of Strider is another personal intrusion by the narrator.
  • The corridors of the Prancing Pony are likely completely dark, so it would have been easy for Strider to follow and enter unseen behind them.
  • Apparently, Strider can walk even quieter than the hobbits, in order to be stealthy to them.
  • Strider hints that he thinks that Frodo was trying to get away with not having their conversation.
  • By using the term “called Strider” he is acknowledging the fact that this is not his real name and drawing attention to the fact that he is not sharing his real name with them either.
  • There are probably man-sized chairs in the parlor, and Strider is sitting on one of those. Butterbur says that he has hobbit-sized bedrooms, but maybe not hobbit-only parlors.
  • The parlor is a separate dining room from the common room, but not part of their rooms.
  • Frodo seems to be trying to hurry on the conversation so that he can move Strider along.
  • Gandalf has cultivated a relationship with Butterbur, but this does not extend to Strider, as he has been tasked with keeping his own existence as the royal heir a secret.
  • Note: The term “Ranger” is term of contempt in Bree, like a vagabond, but this term has been co-opted as a warrior class in RPG’s, which has undermined what Butterbur means by it.
Strider’s price, and his doubts:
  • Why does Strider say that he has his price? Is this a test of the hobbits, or a lesson for them? What reaction is he hoping for, and what would failing the test look like?
  • Strider may intend to have Frodo take him on as a guide, but by approaching it in this way, he is more likely to put Frodo off.
  • Strider pointedly does not mention an offer to help or their need for his help. He implies that he may want to leave them at some point and is not committed to them or their cause.
  • He also does not offer to lead them anywhere; rather he only offers to come along with them.
  • For his test, failure would be the hobbits trusting too easy, but also distrusting completely.
  • This test is in line with the character that he plays in Bree, which is purposely distrustful.
  • Strider could be playing games with the hobbits, but that seems out of character for him and for the gravity of the situation.
  • If Strider leads with his friendship with Gandalf, that may make the hobbits more suspicious.
  • Rather, Strider plays along with his reputation as a rogue to ease them along.
  • Strider may also be afraid that these hobbits are spies of the Riders to trap him. There are hobbits, even within the Shire, like Sandyman, who might take that offer, so it’s not impossible.
  • Strider must be confident enough that these are the hobbits he’s looking for based on his conversation with Tom Bombadil and Frodo’s disappearance.
(continued below)
 

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(continued)

Strider and the Ring:
  • It’s also possible that Strider is afraid of the effect of the Ring on Frodo. He has seen Frodo and the others acting foolishly before, so this may be a test of their moral character and intelligence.
  • Does it ever occur to Strider to just take the Ring from Frodo because he doesn’t think Frodo is up to acting as the Ringbearer? It might be justified, but it would be disastrous for him to do so.
  • Does Strider know of the corrupting influence of the Ring? He must know what Gandalf knows.
  • Strider has also spent time with Gollum, and he knows the history of the Black Riders.
  • Gandalf has not had a chance to brief Strider since his departure in June, however.
Strider becomes the teacher:
  • Strider may be worried about being overheard in the Prancing Pony, which would explain his reticence to reveal too much about himself.
  • He also seems to be testing the hobbits’ mettle in a general sense, to see what they’re made of and if they are up for this journey ahead.
  • Strider gives his approval for Frodo’s response, though that puts him in the position of teacher.
  • He also shifts away from the idea of a price by offering up information without a sure reward.
  • Strider gives Frodo the assumption that he had sense, but lost it at some point, and his behavior in the common room was an aberration.
  • By taking a more relaxed pose, Strider helps to shift the ominous tone of the conversation.
  • He is also giving Frodo more control over the conversation by giving him free choice in actions.
  • It’s possible that Strider has chalked Frodo’s behavior up to the influence of the Ring.
  • There is a certain amount of emotional whiplash for the hobbits, having shifted the conversation and removing the roguish act suddenly.
  • Frodo adopts a tone much like Bilbo’s most businesslike tone from chapter 1 here.
A spy comes in from the cold:
  • By revealing his spying on the hobbits on the Road, he may have undo whatever progress he has made in the conversation, as this makes Frodo very suspicious of his intentions.
  • In this passage, Strider reveals that he was the dark figure who slipped in over the gate.
  • Strider reveals that he overheard the conversation and knows not only Frodo’s real name, but that they are also being pursued by the Black Riders.
  • This information would put Strider in a blackmailing position, if he were really a threat. The hobbits had also revealed Bombadil’s name, so Strider could fake knowing that if he wanted.
  • Strider implies that if he could spy and overhear the hobbits, others could as well. This is why he checks the door for eavesdroppers before revealing his own eavesdropping.
  • By reverting back into a suspicious character, he continues testing the hobbits.
  • Though he has not revealed that he is Gandalf’s friend, he has explained why he knows Frodo’s name in a way that does not require knowing Gandalf.
  • Strider leads with putting the hobbits on the spot, but follows with advice, whereas Frodo does the same, while asking Strider to explain himself.
  • Strider is implying that if the hobbits intended to be stealthy, they are failing at doing so. This is also implying that they need his help.
  • By pursuing this line of revealing his previous actions which led to his knowledge, Strider is laying the groundwork of trust, and showing his own competence.
  • He can also scold and teach the hobbits without revealing too much about his identity.
Strider’s explanation:
  • Strider enjoys Frodo’s comeback, and is able level the field a bit by having an answer.
  • At this point, Strider is giving information without asking for it, and is forthright about it.
  • Though the name Baggins is mentioned on the Road, but Strider reveals that he knows Frodo’s first name as well, which implies that he had knowledge of them prior to listening in.
  • The hobbits did not mention Frodo’s first name before this. Also, any servants of the Enemy would be looking for Baggins, and if they do know a first name, it would likely be Bilbo’s.
  • Who are the friends that Strider mentions here? The reaction of the hobbits shows that they assume he is referring to the Black Riders, which is their worst fear.
  • By not naming his friends, his indirectness has again prevented revealing anything about him.
  • It’s clear that Strider understands their reaction to him and helps to reassure them with both his body language, and by revealing news they need to know.
  • By revealing the movements of the Black Riders, he is showing that he is not in league with them, and his conspiratorial body language shows that he is on their side.
  • Note: Tom is the one who revealed that the hobbits are being pursued by the riders from Mordor, not the hobbits themselves. Tom seems to know that Strider was there listening
  • Tom had already given the hobbits a vision of Aragorn in his enchantment about the Dúnedain.
END OF SESSION
 

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