1) I think this is the climactic scene of this chapter and a very important
scene in FotR as a whole. We have heard about how the Ring transformed Smeagol
into Gollum. But now we begin to see the effects on characters we know. I think
we see the both the seeds of Frodo’s eventual inability to give up the Ring
and, through Bilbo, the depth of the after effects of bearing the Ring. What is
the reason for Frodo's reluctance to show Bilbo the Ring? Is it concern for
Bilbo or something else? Did it occur to you at this point that Frodo would not
be able to give up the Ring in the end? Or, like me, did you blithely assume
that of course Frodo would be able to overcome the Ring?
1A: Frodo’s reluctance to show the ring to Bilbo might most likely be both
reasons: his concern for Bilbo and the effect the ring has on him. Rarely are
ones motives singular. I read the story the first time when I was young and
naïve…so I believed he would give the ring up in the end. And to this day every
time I read this part I think, what if Gollum hadn’t ripped the ring away.
Would Frodo still not throw the ring in the fires of Mordor? I think he would
have…remember that each time he puts on the ring he eventually come to his
senses. Gollum just be him to it. Just call me the eternal optimist here…
2) Is the vision of Bilbo that Frodo sees a sort of mirage caused by the Ring
working on Frodo? Or is Frodo actually seeing “beyond the veil” as he did with
Glorfindel and looking at Bilbo’s soul as it is worked on by desire for the
Ring? Do you think Frodo’s lingering “transparency” from the Morgul-knife wound
gives him the ability to perceive things beyond the abilities of most mortals?
2A: It was always my impression that the Morgul knife and possession of
the ring gave him perceptions beyond other mortals. I don’t think it’s
spiritual, and I don’t think Bilbo actually transformed, but “a shadow
seemed to have fallen between them” – Frodo how the ring changed someone he
loves.
3) Why does Bilbo pass his hand over his eyes? Wouldn’t it make more sense for
Frodo to be the one who rubs his eyes? So you think Bilbo saw something when he
looked at Frodo? Or was it just that he saw hatred on Frodo’s expression?
3A: Bilbo hides his eyes to escape looking at the ring and
Frodo.
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It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
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