I was reading though the appendices, as well as Letter 246, and noticed a few
things I like to share. This first one relates to Rosie (well, the
Cottons at least) as well.
246
We only meet exceptional hobbits in close companionship - those who had a grace
or gift: a vision of beauty, and a reverence for things nobler than themselves,
at war with their rustic self-satisfaction. Imagine Sam without his education
by Bilbo and his fascination with things Eivish! Not difficult. The Cotton
family and the Gaffer, when the ‘Travellers’ return are a sufficient glimpse.
Evidently, Tolkien’s view of Rosie wasn’t as elevated as some of us would have
hoped. She must have grown over time, though, because of close proximaty
to Sam and Frodo, and Merry and Pippin.
In the appendices, I was struck by the wording of an entry that (the conceit
is) was written by whoever kept the Red Book after Sam’s departure, namely
Elanor and Fastred.
Here follows one of the last notes in the Red Book:
We have heard tell that Legolas took Gimli Gloin’s son with him because of
their great friendship, greater than any that has been between Elf and
Dwarf. If this is true, then it is strange indeed: that a Dwarf
should be willing to leave Middle-earth for any love, or that the Eldar should
receive him, or that the Lords of the West should permit it. But it is
said that Gimli went also out of desire to see again the beauty of Galadriel;
and it may be that she, being mighty among the Eldar, obtained this grace for
him. More cannot be said of this matter.
I thought it was particularly eloquent and knowledgable. Someone had paid
attention! It would have been written in or after 1541, about 120 years
after Frodo had sailed, and about 59 years after Sam sailed. It’s sad
that this understanding of the broader world was not of interest to more
hobbits. I wonder what happened to the Red Book. I’d like to think
is was eventually kept in Gondor, where it would be
preserved.
