This week, Sam rules and Frodo drools… at least in the first two-thirds or so,
which he spends more or less asleep. Then, in a remarkable burst of energy (or
blood sugar), he instantly becomes Captain Frodo, and shows he’s gained
considerable wisdom and dialectic agility since his last interview with a
heavily armed ranger, back in Bree. An hour later, he’s sacked out and Sam
takes charge again. Frodo is still sleeping at the end of the chapter.
A. Does Frodo exhibit manic qualities in this chapter?
Meet Frodo.
Frodo slept at times, deeply and
peacefully, either trusting Gollum or too tired to trouble about him;
Frodo after a few mouthfuls of lembas settled deep into the brown fern and went
to sleep.
Frodo half opened his eyes as Sam stood over him, and then he wakened from his
dreaming: another gentle, unrecoverable dream of peace.
B. Why are Frodo’s dreams so different from his disturbing, premonitive
semi-nightmares of the first book? Why didn’t Frodo dream, as far as we know,
between Rivendell and here?
‘Hullo, Sam!’
he said. ‘Not resting? Is anything wrong? What is the time?’
…
Frodo yawned and stretched. ‘You should have been resting Sam,’ he said. ‘And
lighting a fire was dangerous in these parts. But I do feel hungry. Hmm! Can I
smell it from here? What have you stewed?’
‘We'll finish it,' said Sam.
`And then you must take some sleep,' said Frodo.
C. Frodo repeatedly cautions or tries to advise Sam here. Does Frodo expect
Sam to listen?
Changes for Frodo.
. . . at times a light seemed to
be shining faintly within; but now the light was even clearer and stronger.
Frodo's face was peaceful, the marks of fear and care had left it; but it
looked old, old and beautiful, as if the chiselling of the shaping years was
now revealed in many fine lines that had before been hidden, though the
identity of the face was not changed.
Sam took another look at Frodo. He was still sleeping quietly, but Sam was now
struck most by the leanness of his face and hands.
D. What is that light? Why are we seeing it now, but not anytime else since
Rivendell?
E. This facial ‘transformation’ of Frodo’s reminds me of another similar
passage in LotR: where… and why?
Frodo Saves The Day.
‘Hush!’ whispered Frodo. ‘I
thought I heard voices.’
Rangers of Ithilien by the Bros. H**********
At once four men came striding
through the fern from different directions. Since flight and hiding were no
longer possible, Frodo and Sam sprang to their feet, putting back to back and
whipping out their small swords.
F. Why does Frodo suddenly seem in command? Why choose “fight” since
“flight” is impossible? Why pull out the swords?
At once Frodo thought of Boromir,
for these Men were like him in stature and bearing, and in their manner of
speech.
‘…there are no travellers in this land: only the servants of the Dark Tower, or
of the White.’
‘But we are neither,’ said Frodo. ‘And travellers we are,
whatever Captain Faramir may say.’
‘But as for us, we are Hobbits of the Shire, far to the North and West, beyond
many rivers. Frodo son of Drogo is my name, and with me is Samwise son of
Hamfast, a worthy hobbit in my service. We have come by long ways - out of
Rivendell, or Imladris as some call it.’ Here Faramir started and grew intent.
‘Seven companions we had: one we lost at Moria, the others we left at Parth
Galen above Rauros: two of my kin; a Dwarf there was also, and an Elf, and two
Men. They were Aragorn; and Boromir, who said that he came out of Minas Tirith,
a city in the South.’
G. Why is Frodo speaking the way he is? What is he telling Faramir, and what
is he leaving out? Why not just say “Boromir of Minas Tirith”, for instance?
‘Are the riddling words known to
you that Boromir brought to Rivendell?’ Frodo replied.
Seek for the Sword that was Broken.
In Imladris it dwells.
‘The words are known indeed,’ said Faramir in astonishment.
‘It is some token of your truth that you also know them.’
‘Aragorn whom I named is the bearer of the Sword that was
Broken,’ said Frodo. ‘And we are the Halflings that the rhyme spoke of.’
‘That I see,’ said Faramir thoughtfully. ‘Or I see that it
might be so. And what is Isildur's Bane?’
‘That is hidden,’ answered Frodo. ‘Doubtless it will be
made clear in time.’
Frodo sees Faramir respond progressively to each of his statements: “starting”
at the mention of Imladris; “astonished” at recognition of the dream verse; and
a “thoughtful” but guarded acceptance of Frodo’s claim to be part of the
prophecy.
H. Is Frodo choosing and reframing his words in reaction to each of
Faramir’s responses? What does Frodo expect from this encounter—how is he
conducting himself?
'Farewell!' said Frodo, bowing low.
`Think what you will, I am a friend of all enemies of the One Enemy. We would
go with you, if we halfling folk could hope to serve you, such doughty men and
strong as you seem, and if my errand permitted it. May the light shine on your
swords!'
I. “Courteous words” indeed! What does Frodo hope to accomplish by this
speech?
Frodo’s Surprise.
To his amazement, as he listened
Frodo became aware that it was the Elven-tongue that they spoke, or one but
little different; and he looked at them with wonder, for he knew then that they
must be Dúnedain of the South, men of the line of the Lords of Westernesse.
After a while he spoke to them; but they were slow and
cautious in answering.
J. Which Elven-tongue does Frodo know? Why does it take him so long (“became
aware”) to recognize the Gondorian speech?
K. When he finally speaks to them, is it in the Common Speech, or in Elvish the
way he did with Gildor? Does this scene echo the one at the doors of Edoras in
any meaningful way?
Frodo Learns a Lesson.
'I do not know where he is,' said
Frodo. 'He is only a chance companion met upon our road; and I am not
answerable for him. If you come on him, spare him. Bring him or send him to us.
He is only a wretched gangrel creature, but I have him under my care for a
while.
L. Is Frodo “not answerable” for Gollum, or does he have him “under his
care”? What is the difference between how Frodo answers this question and the
others?
Text of this
chapter
Everyone is laughing for heart's ease, now that they're in Ithilien! Join me in the Reading Room this week for a squireific topic-oriented discussion of Chapter 4, Book IV of The Two Towers: "Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit".
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