|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The One Ring Forums:
Tolkien Topics: Reading Room:
Eyes down - high noon for Frodo! "As if...":
Edit Log
|
|
noWizardme
Gondolin
Apr 14 2015, 3:48pm
Views: 3678
|
|
Eyes down - high noon for Frodo! "As if..."
|
|
|
The words I have emphasized above “but they were not turned to him” I had always envisioned as they were not turned to him but they WERE waiting for HIS response. I had always assumed that this “other voice” was simply his own conscience, “Well I have The Ring, the decision is mine, and they are waiting.”
Thanks for picking “but they were not turned to him” out! Yes, nobody is saying "Well, I'm sure Frodo will take the Ring, won't you Frodo?". They are very much leaving him to his decision. I notice that other characters tend to do that - from Gandalf and Gildor in the Shire to Aragorn a the end of FOTR. I assume that either there is an over-riding moral code that it would be wrong to pressure him, or (more likely I think) the idea is that Frodo is likely to make the right decision, if left to his own devices.
But I'm sure the lack of eye contact doesn't help Frodo at all - he's very guided by his moral code, just as Boromir would be by his honour. He knows he ought to volunteer.
I've been noticing all the "as if's" in this passage - emboldened below:
No one answered. The noon-bell rang. Still no one spoke. Frodo glanced at all the faces, but they were not turned to him. All the Council sat with downcast eyes, as if in deep thought. A great dread fell on him, as if he was awaiting the pronouncement of some doom that he had long foreseen and vainly hoped might after all never be spoken. An overwhelming longing to rest and remain at peace by Bilbo's side in Rivendell filled all his heart. At last with an effort he spoke, and wondered to hear his own words, as if some other will was using his small voice.
‘I will take the Ring,’ he said, ‘though I do not know the way.’
It's a Fantastic Hesitation device, I think: (http://newboards.theonering.net/...i?post=833138#833138 ). Or at least the 2nd and 3rd "as ifs" could be: I think the first one suggests that everyone else is waiting for Frodo! It means that one can read the passage as fully a matter of Frodo's psychology, or look for other meanings.
~~~~~~
"nowimë I am in the West, Furincurunir to the Dwarves (or at least, to their best friend) and by other names in other lands. Mostly they just say 'Oh no it's him - look busy!' "
Or "Hold off! unhand me, grey-beard loon!"
This year LOTR turns 60. The following image is my LOTR 60th anniversary party footer! You can get yours here: http://newboards.theonering.net/...i?post=762154#762154
(This post was edited by noWizardme on Apr 14 2015, 3:55pm)
|
|
|
Edit Log:
|
|
Post edited by noWizardme
(Gondolin) on Apr 14 2015, 3:54pm
|
|
Post edited by noWizardme
(Gondolin) on Apr 14 2015, 3:55pm
|
|
|
|
