Christopher Tolkien tries to narrate the story of the composition of
LotR in fairly strict chronological order.
In ‘The History of Middle-earth’ I have tried to
make each book as much an independent entity as possible, and not merely a
section cut off when each book had reached a certain size; but in the history
of the writing of The Lord of the Rings this has proved difficult.
(Treason, p. 1)
He picked as an ending to his first volume (
The Return of the Shadow)
the point in the fall of 1939 when Tolkien stopped writing
LotR for
almost a year, with the Fellowship at the tomb of Balin (as JRRT noted in his
Foreword: “There I halted for a long while”).
But as CT admits, when JRRT picked up his pen again in August 1940, he had not
yet resolved the problems of the earlier parts of Fellowship. The first
part of Treason is thus virtually a straight continuation of
Shadow. CT plops you right down in the middle of where he left off. More
than anything else, this abrupt beginning makes it hard to think of
Treason as a “separate” book!
I felt the first thing a reader of the Encyclopedia would expect was a
description of what the book contained. But I found the prospect of condensing
and summarizing this book daunting. At first I tried to tackle it by surveying
and summarizing the entire book. I prepared a chapter by chapter outline, and
began. I gave up by Chapter IX, since the 1000-word limit was long past. This
was not the way to go, obviously.
But the close reading it took even to draw up the outline structure showed me
that I could reasonably divide the book into three more or less distinct
sections. I ended up devoting three paragraphs, one per section, to a very
brief descriptive summary in my article. This left some room for a discussion
of higher meaning, critical opinion, etc.
In the interests of keeping things simple – it is mid-August, after all – the
outline for the first section, the one I finished, is presented below. On
Wednesday and Thursday I’ll go over the second and third sections more simply.
No questions for the next three days! Just comment as you like on my notes.
Hint: skim.
Chapter I. Gandalf’s Delay
Date: Roughly end of 1939, possibly as early as August.
This chapter presents six “outlines, time schemes, and notes” collected
together.
1. State of Plot assumed after XI. (Much of explanation in XII and of
incident in Bree chapter will have to be rewritten.
This is Tolkien’s notes. XII refers to Council of Elrond. The plot is advanced
to the point that Bilbo goes away, leaving the Ring with Frodo. Gandalf goes
away, returns, tells Frodo about The Ring, leaves again. Gandalf does not
return for over a year, Frodo decides to leave by himself, with friends, just
as the Black Riders arrive at Hobbiton. Gandalf cannot help, being detained by
the Dark Lord’s emissaries, or by Treebeard the giant.
Tolkien briefly considers having Trotter be a disguised Elf.
2. In another undated scrap is seen the actual emergence of ‘Trotter’s’
true name – as a Man: Aragorn.
Tolkien works out the consequences of Trotter being a man, one of the ancient
Men of the North: for instance, no wooden shoes! No Odo hobbit being taken
along by Gandalf during his chase to catch up with Frodo, as Gandalf is being
held prisoner elsewhere.
Tolkien here briefly considered having Trotter be Peregrin Boffin, a runaway
hobbit who followed Bilbo.
3. Final Decisions, Oct. 8, 1939.
Outline of the plot as it stood. Much the same as above. Gandalf has
disappeared, Frodo sets out on his own. Trotter is a ranger, descendant of
Elendil, a ‘Tarkil’, i.e., Mortal Man.
4. New Plot. Autumn 1939.
Elaboration of Gandalf’s disappearance: He is held a prisoner in the ‘Western
Tower’ by five Black Riders. He escapes when the Riders leave to pursue Frodo,
and Gandalf is behind Frodo and Trotter the whole time.
First appearance (“April 1418”) of any ‘exterior chronology’ to the story.
5. A series of notes on unconnected topics on the back of (4.) above.
Bill Ferny’s pony stays in Bree; Trotter’s real name is Aragorn; Elrond should
tell more of Gil-galad. New name for Dimrilldale, River of Gondor, Entishlands,
home of trolls, north of Rivendell; Butterbur does not know Bombadil, because
he never leaves his home; More Trotter back story as Man; Frodo’s red sword
broken, so he gets Sting.
6. Time-schemes
Comparison of four different versions of Gandalf’s delay. A matches the
New Plot, above; and D, the last, matches the final LotR version.
7. NOTES
See notes 8, 16
Chapter II. The Fourth Phase (1): From Hobbiton to
Bree
Date: Fall 1939
The “Fourth Phase”, and final manuscript phase, of development of Book 1 of
LotR achieved the near-final text of Fellowship of the Ring. New
passages and alterations were written over the fair copies of the “Third Phase”
(as presented in Shadow), then rewritten as new fair copies. Parts of
“Third Phase” that were kept intact were incorporated into the “Fourth
Phase”.
1. Chapter I: ‘A Long-expected Party’
Changes nearly achieve the final text. Exceptions: Bilbo does not lose his
temper at Gandalf over the Ring; Gandalf holds the Ring to give to Frodo; Frodo
does not mention Bilbo’s “other” story of how he got the Ring from Gollum.
2. Chapter II: ‘Ancient History’
Substantial rewriting in some places, none in others; but still different from
the final. Gandalf does not mention any other Rings; no mention of Saruman, but
suggestion of other wizards who go in for Ring-lore; the beginning of the story
of Gollum and the higher power that brought Bilbo to find the Ring; Deagol
finds the Ring in a mudbank, not in the River; the invention of the “birthday”
back-story to explain away the more innocent “Hobbit” storyline. Subsequent
additions are tied into the writing of the Council of Elrond and will be
covered later.
3. Chapter III: ‘Three is Company’
Gandalf’s advice to Frodo to get moving precedes the Pub talk; the character of
Peregrin (Pippin) is settled on.
4. Chapter IV: ‘A Shortcut to Mushrooms’
No changes, final text achieved in “Third Phase”.
5. Chapter V: ‘A Conspiracy Unmasked’ (with ‘The Dream of the Tower’)
Rewriting almost reaches the final text of FotR. The text of the “Dream of the
Tower” is given, that Frodo had, originally in the Woody End, then at
Crickhollow, finally at Bree, after Gandalf had already escaped. The dream
shows Gandalf trapped in one of the Elven Towers west of the Shire, surrounded
by Black Riders. This was later simplified to the dream at Crickhollow of
Towers by the Sea; and the dream of Gandalf escaping from Orthanc was had at
Bombadil’s house.
6. Chapter VI: ‘The Old Forest’
Changes here possibly all belong to the “Third Phase”: see Shadow for
the changes to their descent into the Withywindle valley, and for the roles of
Merry and Frodo being switched in the Willow episode.
7. Chapter VII: ‘In the House of Tom Bombadil’
No changes from “Third Phase”, except that the Riders’ attack on Crickhollow
was removed since it now took place when the Hobbits had reached Bree. The
dream of Gandalf at Orthanc was not yet in place.
8. Chapter VIII: ‘Fog on the Barrow-downs’
No changes from “Third Phase”, except at ending, where all reference to Tom
knowing Butterbur are removed. Bits about Carn Dûm and Angmar were added
subsequently.
Chapter III. The Fourth Phase (2): From Bree to the Ford of
Rivendell
Date: Fall 1939
“Fourth Phase” manuscript revisions to Book 1, continued.
1. Chapter IX: ‘At the Sign of the Prancing Pony (i) The Cow Jumped Over
the Moon’
Date: October 1939. The “Fourth Phase” manuscript for these two chapters
(originally one) was made from the “blue version” of the “new plot” for the
Bree sequence in Shadow. It is settled that Gandalf and Odo had not
already passed through Bree.
The text is close to the final. Exceptions: the interview between the Black
Riders and Harry at the gate is still in and was struck out later; Trotter,
though a Man, still has hobbity physical characteristics; Harry has more of a
presence in the scenes in the common-room.
2. Chapter X: ‘At the Sign of the Prancing Pony (ii) All that is gold
does not glitter’
The chapter later renamed ‘Strider’. Follows “blue version” (from
Shadow), but now Butterbur does not enter and interrupt Trotter, who
continues to warn and inform Frodo of his danger. Only then does Butterbur
appear with the letter after guessing Frodo’s identity; the letter is from
early September and is being held upon Frodo’s arrival at Bree. After reading
Gandalf’s warning, Frodo asks Trotter for proof of identity, and the ranger
produces his own letter from Gandalf affirming he is Aragorn, of the line of
Elendil. The gold does not glitter verse is the verifying clue that he
is the Trotter in Gandalf’s letter, which Sam tries to dispute.
This text is not yet final; more development is covered in IV. below.
3. Chapter XI: ‘A Knife in the Dark’
This is partly the existing “Third Phase” and partly new sections.
The attack on Crickhollow is in this chapter now, and the draft of this is
shown. Gandalf appears on a white horse, with
Hamilcar (Fredegar) clinging behind him, to chase the Riders away from the
house.
An alternate has Ham alone, blowing the horn of alarm.
Finally there is the version where the Riders abduct Ham from the house,
thinking they have Frodo, and flee, chased by Gandalf.
In Bree, Frodo dreams of the hoofbeats and the horn-blowing.
New writing covers the morning and their departure from Bree. The “Third Phase”
text survives almost unchanged to their arrival at Weathertop, except for the
lights in the eastern sky, the evidence of fire on Weathertop, and the remains
of the tower of Amon Sul and Strider’s account of its history. Sam’s song of
Gil-galad was written and added at this point. Trotter finds the stone from
Gandalf, and finds both boot-tracks and hobbit-traces in the mud at the foot of
the hill, implying the Riders had captured a hobbit. Trotter’s tales by the
fireside are close to final, and the song of Beren and Luthien also reaches its
final form, although it has not been copied into the manuscript.
4. Chapter XII: ‘Flight to the Ford’
Mostly existing “Third Phase” text with occasional new pages inserted: The
Hoarwell and Bruinen are named; the Entish Lands are north of the Road; Angmar
and the North Kingdom are not mentioned. Three versions of the Troll Song were
tried: the first, originally meant for Frodo at Bree, is reprinted, as it shows
the earliest changes from the 1920s original given in Shadow. Glorfindel
finds them with the news that Gandalf has arrived at Rivendell, but that is
soon changed to Gandalf still missing. The number of Riders at the Ford is
adjusted to cohere with the attack on Weathertop.
5. NOTES
Note 13 has prelimary drafts of Gandalf’s letter to Frodo; 17, Trotter’s speech
to Frodo on Trust for its own sake; 25, Sam’s chatter after reciting the
Gilgalad lay. Also 32 on the Ettenmoors/Entish Lands; and 36 on the Baraduin
name.
Chapter IV. Of Hamilcar, Gandalf and Saruman
Date: August 1940
Introduces Tolkien’s use of dated examination paper to confirm that Aug
1939-Aug 1940 (not 1940-41) was the time of the one-year pause after he had
reached Balin’s tomb, which he mentions in his 2nd edition Foreword.
1. “Fourth Phase” continues.
One year later than material in Chaps I-III, above: Rewritten passage of ‘Many
Meetings’, establishing that Gandalf had rescued Ham from the Riders and
brought him to Rivendell, where Frodo finally hears the story.
2. New Plot. Aug 26-27, 1940.
A Narrative Outline. This is the point where Tolkien conceived the character of
the treasonous wizard Saruman as the agent that held Gandalf captive, or
detained him from escorting Frodo from Hobbiton.
[I am not clear whether this ‘New Plot’ dated Aug 1940 is the same ‘New
Plot’ from Aug 1939 in I.4 above. Both involve Gandalf being held captive, one
in the Western Tower by Black Riders, one by Saruman or Treebeard in the South.
– squire 9/17/05]
Also has a complex working out of the movements of all nine Black Riders,
identified as A through I.
Added later to this manuscript: the idea of Butterbur forgetting to send
Gandalf’s letter to Frodo, which explains why Gandalf or Trotter never told
Frodo to leave as soon as the Black Riders were reported to be abroad.
The consequences of this ‘New Plot’ were worked out with the following
revisions to “Fourth Phase” material:
A narrative passage establishing that Harry the gatekeeper sees the Black
Riders turning South outside Bree, to take Ham to the Captain.
Elimination of the capture of Ham, as the Riders “would obviously kill him.”
Return to “Second Phase” Crickhollow version, where Gandalf alone surprises and
chases the Riders away.
Rewrite of the “Strider” Chapter (see IV.2, above) to incorporate the
“forgotten letter” idea. Final form of this chapter is reached. Eliminates
second letter that Trotter carries, Frodo reads the Butterbur letter silently,
Trotter quotes “Glitter” verse unprompted to show he is Aragorn, displays the
Broken Sword.
3. NOTES
Note 18 has a variation on the “Glitter” verse.
Chapter V. Bilbo’s Song at Rivendell: Errantry and
Eärendillinwë
Date: Fall 1939 to Fall 1940
The ‘Many Meetings/Council of Elrond’ chapter XII (now XIII since Bree became 2
chapters) was only completed to the Gloin-Frodo dinner conversation in the
“First” and “Third Phase” texts in Shadow. That is part I in this
discussion.
1. Changes made to part I in the “Fourth Phase”
Gandalf tells Frodo that Trotter/Aragorn as a Ranger is of the “race of the
Kings from over the Sea”. Frodo indicates he has heard of Númenor.
1. “Fourth Phase” manuscript of Part II.
New writing, mostly not quoted, as very close to the final text of ‘Many
Meetings’. Bilbo’s account of his travels to Dale is added, also his request of
Frodo to see the Ring. Further additions informing us that Aragorn is
Númenorean.
No change to the chant to Elbereth, and no mention of Aragorn courting
Arwen.
1. The textual history of the Errantry/Earendil poem.
A very involved and original piece of scholarship by C. Tolkien, showing the
connection between the two poems, and discovering the “true” version that was
meant to go into The Lord of the Rings but accidentally did not.
1. NOTES
Note 10: An early draft from 1933 of a bit of the dramatic dialogue that
eventually became The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm’s Son (1953).
Chapter VI. The Council of Elrond (1)
1. The Second Version
Here are excerpts from the mostly unchanged ‘fair copy’ of the text presented
in Shadow. Some of the more significant changes: incorporation of
Elrond’s memory of the First Age into his account of the Last Battle; Gandalf’s
attitude toward Bombadil; Power of the Elven rings described, though still made
by Sauron; Gandalf’s comments on composition of the Company, now that Trotter
is a Man; first account of the selection of the Company by Elrond; gift of
Sting and the elf-mail to Frodo from Bilbo;
2. Outline of the Council narrative
Development of the name Minas Tirith for Gondor’s capital; Boromir on the
prophecy of the Broken Sword; Tarkil (Aragorn) will come to Ond (Gondor) where
his ancestors had been king; Elrond sent the Eagles to look for Gandalf when he
was being held prisoner.
3. The Third Version
A long quotation from a rough manuscript on the same paper: 1. of Gloin’s
story; and 2. Galdor of Mirkwood on Gollum’s escape—close to final text, though
in the wrong order within the chapter; then 3. a long quotation of the history
of the Numenorean kingdoms by Elrond. Story of how Aragorn’s ancestors were
ejected as Kings by the traitorous city: question to Boromir of whether Aragorn
should return now. The sword was broken then, not in battle with Sauron. The
Kings went North, but the subsequent North-kingdom declined and
disappeared.
An unconnected manuscript describing the distribution of the Elves on
Middle-earth after Beleriand was destroyed.
The first version of the dream-verse that Boromir heard was unfortunately lost
since part of this draft has disappeared. Interesting names first appearing:
Khazaddum; Osgiliath, Minas Anor and Minas Ithil; Bay of Belfalas; Imlad-ril
(later Imladris); Osforod (later Fornost). Also Bombadil’s other names.
4. The Fourth Version
The next complete manuscript of the Council chapter is a confusing mess. It
follows the “Third Version” fairly closely at the beginning: 1. Gloin, 2.
Galdor on Gollum’s escape, and Gandalf’s comments. Then follows, newly
expanded, 3. Elrond’s account of the Rings, the last Battle, and the later
decay of Gondor. 4. Boromir makes his speech; the Dream verse is first seen. 5.
Aragorn presents his Sword. 6. Aragorn’s tale of the North kingdom; this now
has the sword being broken when Elendil fell.
At this point, close to where the “Third Version” stopped, Tolkien stopped
again, and went back and reordered the sequence and adding more material; this
will be the “Fifth Version”, see below, which will follow Aragorn with 1. Bilbo
2. Gandalf accounting for the Ring and connecting Bilbo’s Ring with Isildur’s
Bane 3. The hunt for Gollum 4. Galdor’s tidings of Gollum’s escape 5. Frodo’s
story 6. Gandalf’s captivity 7. Bombadil.
But first, before presenting the “Fifth Version”,
5. Gandalf’s Tale
Here in full is the first writing of Gandalf’s encounter with Saruman and his
pursuit of Frodo and the Riders. Introduction of Radagast, location and
description of Isengard and Orthanc, dialogue with Saruman who is completely a
vassal of Sauron, captivity on top of Orthanc, sending of the Eagles, escape to
Rohan the horse country, introduction of Greyfax/Shadowfax, interview with the
Gaffer, cottage empty at Crickhollow, siege on Weathertop.
Chapter VII. The Council of Elrond (2)
1. The Fifth Version
This version introduces the more complex tale of the Dwarves of Moria, with the
suggestion that something was awakened that forced the dwarves to flee. Gloin
tells the story of Thror’s return, which was removed from the final LotR
version and placed in the Appendices.
Elrond tells in detail the story of the founding of Gondor, much of which was
eventually removed to the piece Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age,
which was finally published in The Silmarillion.
First mentions of: Annuminas in the names Tarkilmar, Torfirion, and
Westermanton; Gorgoroth; and the Mountains of Shadow in Mordor. Ond becomes
Ondor; Minas-Morgol becomes Minas-Morghul; Imlad-rist becomes Imlad-ris.
Trotter and Aragorn are replaced by Elfstone.
Sauron captures Minas Ithil before Isildur goes north to help Elendil form the
Last Alliance, perhaps in confusion with the later capture of the city by the
Nazgul.
Addition of Bilbo retelling his Hobbit adventures, and addition of Gandalf’s
narrative of his and Elfstone’s hunt for Gollum.
2. Gandalf’s Tale
More developed account of his capture by Saruman; introduction of idea that
Saruman will betray Sauron; Elrond had not heard of Bombadil before; again the
Thrain/Thror confusion appears, as they discuss the loss of the last of the
Dwarven-rings; beginning of idea that the Elven-rings were not made by
Sauron.
3. NOTES
18-19. Some variations on Bombadil’s name, and notes on the changes in
Gandalf’s relationship with him.
4. Note on Thrór and Thráin
Detailed explication of the Thror/Thrain problem.
Chapter VIII. The Ring Goes South
The problems have now been solved. Trotter is now Aragorn, the hobbits have
settled into the final four, Bombadil is retired, and the riddle of Gandalf’s
disappearance is solved. “With that answer had arisen (as it would turn out) a
new focal point in the history of the War of the Ring: the Treason of
Isengard.” (p. 161)
1. Choosing of the company
Notes on the “August 1940” paper debating the company’s membership. Final
elimination of an Elf-lord or Half-elf like Erestor, and final inclusion of
Merry and Pippin.
2. Clear manuscript of “The Ring Goes South”
Little variation from final text. Chronology still has them leaving in late
November, not late December. Confusion of the “Dimrill Stair” with the “Redhorn
Pass” which survives into the published text. Choosing of the company, in
alternate versions. Reforging of the Sword, named Branding. No blowing of Horn
on departure, less detail on arms and clothing, no “missing rope” scene.
3. Rivendell to Hollin
More development, still very close to final text. Brief excerpts from the draft
text. Identification of the three Peaks of Moria. The River on the other side
is the Blackroot, or Morthond. First mention of Lothlorien. Threat of Fangorn,
the Topless Forest, quickly deleted. In the debate, Trotter/Strider favors
Moria, Gandalf the Pass. Descent from Caradhras: extensive excerpt, showing the
diminishment of Gandalf’s ill-humor from Shadow, closer to final
text.
4. NOTES
14. Origins of the “sit beside the fire” verse. 18-22. Comments on the Dwarvish
and Elvish names for the mountains of Moria.
Chapter IX. The Mines of Moria (1): The Lord of
Moria
The fair manuscript rewriting of the first part of the Moria journey, from this
same period (late 1940?). It is the last rewrite, as the earlier drafts covered
in Shadow stopped at Balin’s tomb. Most of “A Journey in the Dark” resulted
from this rewrite.
1. Debate in Hollin; the Doors.
Uncertain geography of Gondor: the location of the Seven Rivers seems to be in
Rohan. Barad-dûr first mentioned. Wargs and journey to the Doors almost reaches
final text. Continuing idea of the two western doors to Moria. Elimination of
mentions of the Moon (all but one) when T. realized it would not be present at
dusk.
Detailed discussion of the evolution of the design of the Doors; illustration
of earliest draft design in the manuscript.
2. Journey in the Dark.
Journey through Moria very similar to final version. No mention by Sam of need
for rope.
Gimli’s song developed and worked out – some lost verses and rhymes mentioned.
First occurrence of word mithril. Gandalf explains mithril in terms rejected
for the final version. Gandalf’s dire tale of the Dwarves’ eviction from Moria
seems not to refer to a balrog, but to something else, unnamed. Illustration of
the first version of the inscription on Balin’s tomb.
3. NOTES
9. Discussion of JRRT’s fondness for stylized trees bearing crescent moons. 13.
Suggestion that Sauron uses Mithril for making weapons. 16. Review of what
Gandalf may or may not have known about Durin’s Bane.
OK? It’s me again. Here is how I summarized these chapters in the Encyclopedia
article:
Treason is chronologically ordered and divides into
three parts. Chapters 1-9 continue directly from Volume VI, The Return of
the Shadow. They complete the story of the achievement of the final form of
most of FR in 1940, from Bilbo’s party to the Council of Elrond and on as far
as Moria, the point at which Tolkien had paused, stymied, in the fall of 1939.
The major innovations are Gandalf’s revelation that he was taken captive by a
fellow wizard, Saruman, and Trotter’s transformation into a Man who is the heir
of Elendil.
See? Only 93 words! Leaving 907 to
go.
The Critics Speak:
The most striking revision of all, one also noted by Christopher Tolkien, appears in a draft of the preceding chapter, “Farewell to Lórien,” in which two canceled sentences and Tolkien’s note on their cancellation reinforce speculations about whether time does or does not pass and supply the rationale for the debate in all its versions. As the Company prepares to leave Lórien, their Elf-guide Haldir announces, “I have just returned from the Northern Fences . . . and I am sent now to be your guide again. [struck out: There are strange things happening away back there. We do not know the meaning of them. But].” Above the canceled words is penciled the provocative comment “This won’t do—if Lórien is timeless, for then nothing will have happened since they entered” (Treason of Isengard, 286). Tolkien’s mind here is plain. It “won’t do” to have an Elf in a timeless land report things happening in time. (Verlyn Flieger, A Question of Time: J. R. R. Tolkien’s Road to Faërie, pp. 103-04)squire online:
Footerama: "Tolkien would have LOVED it!"
RR Discussions:The Valaquenta, A Shortcut to Mushrooms, and Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit
Footerama: The 3rd TORn Reading Room LotR Discussion
