Kate Neville
Well-Known Member
I rarely make the live class, and I apologize for posting this last minute, but my comments relate to what will probably come up tonight.
I consider Strider's speech after Merry's question to have two parts to it, divided by the 'answered Strider' attribution. The first is a response to Merry. The rest is elaboration inspired by, but not 'answering' the question. Think how different it would read if 'answered Strider' came after 'No.'
I think two things are going on, at different levels. The first is Strider deciding to make this a teaching moment, perhaps as a counter to Frodo's earlier 'joke' about becoming a wraith. Frodo is fleeing the Shire to keep his homeland safe; Weathertop represents Strider's heritage, and his words are a reminder of the greater history that they are walking into.
The other is the author's decision, made very early on, to introduce the story of Beren and Lúthien on Weathertop. The Weathertop history is Tolkien gradually letting us know that Strider is more than a simple wilderness guide, preparing us to hear him tell stories later that night, crowning the evening with the jewel of all ancient tales. It makes for a smoother transition.
[And parenthetically, in re-reading these chapters, I am struck by how well Strider handles Sam -- so many times between Bree and Rivendell he will addresses Sam directly, with respect and without 'condescension', even taking him aside for special consultation. Sam may not value Strider yet, but Strider values him.]
I consider Strider's speech after Merry's question to have two parts to it, divided by the 'answered Strider' attribution. The first is a response to Merry. The rest is elaboration inspired by, but not 'answering' the question. Think how different it would read if 'answered Strider' came after 'No.'
I think two things are going on, at different levels. The first is Strider deciding to make this a teaching moment, perhaps as a counter to Frodo's earlier 'joke' about becoming a wraith. Frodo is fleeing the Shire to keep his homeland safe; Weathertop represents Strider's heritage, and his words are a reminder of the greater history that they are walking into.
The other is the author's decision, made very early on, to introduce the story of Beren and Lúthien on Weathertop. The Weathertop history is Tolkien gradually letting us know that Strider is more than a simple wilderness guide, preparing us to hear him tell stories later that night, crowning the evening with the jewel of all ancient tales. It makes for a smoother transition.
[And parenthetically, in re-reading these chapters, I am struck by how well Strider handles Sam -- so many times between Bree and Rivendell he will addresses Sam directly, with respect and without 'condescension', even taking him aside for special consultation. Sam may not value Strider yet, but Strider values him.]