Ethel Duath
Gondolin
Jun 11 2024, 10:48pm
Views: 4584
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'It's saying a lot too much,' said Frodo, and he laughed, a long clear laugh from his heart. Such a sound had not been heard in those places since Sauron came to Middle Earth. To Sam suddenly it seemed as if all the stones were listening and the tall rocks leaning over them. - The Stairs of Cirith Ungol
4. What was Sam sensing? Legolas was able to listen to memories in stones, was Sam able to sense something of this too? Was Frodo aware of anything unusual here?
First of all, that laugh is a wonderful moment. Knowing what's to come makes it so very bittersweet.
I don't think there's any indication either way whether Frodo was sensing something. I like to think that for once he wasn't, and was just lost in the moment of laughter.
I think this rare for Sam, almost like he's switching places with Frodo. In some ways, it's very natural for Sam to feel that way in a place that he knows is grim and dangerous. But from what we know later of the Watchers, (and perhaps even Gimli's "Deep they delved us, high they builded us . . ."), I wouldn't be surprised at all if what Sam sensed was to some extent real. I'm just glad they couldn't, apparently, send out any sort of signal to the Dark Lord!
'As I lay in prison, Sam, I tried to remember the Brandywine, and Woody End, and The Water running through the mill at Hobbiton. But I can't see them now' -- The Land of Shadow
5. What causes Frodo's inability to visualize the Shire? Is there any parallel in people who've been through trauma or war?
There very likely could be parallels; but I think in Frodo's case he's being eaten alive by the Ring. Very like, I think, an addiction, where nothing gives much (if any) pleasure but the thing addicted to. Plus, add in the power of the Enemy, and it's truly amazing Frodo has any self-will left at all.
I can't think somehow that Gandalf would have sent Mr. Frodo on the errand, if there hadn't a'been any hope of his ever coming back at all.' -- Mount Doom
6. Ah, Gandalf and his inexplicable fondness for hobbits and the Shire! Would there a'been any hope without Sam for Mr. Frodo? Well, Frodo would have needed some kind of help. I'm not sure he would have made it anywhere near that distance without Sam--but not just his help, but his presence, including his attitude and personality. Two Frodo-types, or two Sam's, or two of any kind would likely have, in a sense, eaten each other up sometime along the way.
Still, Sam continues to turn toward the Shire for strength: And that's a good chunk of what he transmits to Frodo I think. And his undying inner hope, even if it's shrinking. Plus, just the everyday practicality that keeps Frodo fed and cared for, so he could focus all the energy he had left in simply going ahead.
(This post was edited by Ethel Duath on Jun 11 2024, 10:49pm)
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