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The Fellowship of the Ring
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TOLKIEN 01: The Fellowship of the Ring
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I agree, it would be next to impossible to discuss it without spoilers here and there. So, a major beware of spoilers ahead would suffice lol
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I admit I still do not quite understand the role of Tom Bombadil and Goldberry in the whole scheme of the events. Tolkien Companion says of him to be just a unique being (maybe a Maia considering his powers?) older than the most, simply gone native; or an ancient spirit of the forest, answering to no one. If these guidebooks do not offer any clear answer, I am not sure any other source can.
The only thing I was indifferent to, was poetry. I know, that's terrible thing to say, but I really never was into any kind of poetry, and this was no exception. I am not musical either, so all blame should be on me. I admired the cleverness of the rhymes and rhythms, but felt no particular joy in reading them.
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- Hobbits - what do you think of them? Their way of life is so strikingly different from the adventure our four hobbits were set up to. Do you relate to them in any way? Before this horrid Covid situation I sometimes thought of myself as a little hobbit who likes from time to time (read: once a year) to get out of my hole to go abroad.
- What do you think of Sam and his loyalty, some may even say subservient nature? It seems a bit strange for our modern sensibilities. Do you think he is too submissive? His character does evolve over time though.
- Gollum as a hobbit... Just imagine how old he was and how much he deteriorated from his origins - did that fact have any impact on you? I got chills. From Merry to Gollum, that's a long way to go.
- To me it was interesting how subtly Tolkien showed the wiles of the ring. It tried to submit Frodo's will to itself without him being aware of it. The other beautiful scene was the foaming cavalry of river horses in that critical moment at the end of the first part. Do you have any special moment you liked in the first part of the book?
Aragorn - were you too fascinated by your first encounter with the character? How he seemed to me so enigmatic, knowledgeable, and powerful, even though there was no special reason to believe so at that moment.
To those who have seen the movies... Be honest, do you imagine your hobbits and Aragorn as actors from the movies? I do - with only one deviation: the whole Prancing Pony night scene I imagine from the animated version of the story. That scene was the most vivid memory from my childhood that stayed with me all those years. I can't help it. I honestly can't recall that particular scene from the movie, the only one that jumps to me is the animated one.
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Right now I'll say just that I am so happy I started this project. The mere reading of every single passage made me so relaxed and elated. I think I'll finish LotR before scheduled time :)
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The world setting and locations
- the world setting - what do you think of it? How does it compare to e.g. Game of Thrones world? Or any other fantasy or science fiction world you've read about. Would you like to inhabit this one? For me, this one was the most enchanting of all I've read. So beautiful and so innocent!
- the locations - what do you think of all the places you've read about so far? Which one is your favorite? Hobbiton, Bree, Rivendell, Gates of Argonath, or Lothlorien? To me, it's Rivendell. I loved the description of it. The movies encapsulated the place perfectly!
The peoples and creatures
- the peoples - you've probably noticed there are no standard races in Middle-Earth as in the real world, but rather people are divided as humans, dwarves, elves, hobbits etc. Each has their sub-divisions, characteristics, peculiarities, and prejudices about other races. I was always the most intrigued by elves, but never thought they are my sort of people (not as musical and as agile as they are). I guess I am more hobbit-like person. Is here any race you identify with or would wish to be like?
- the creatures - it's interesting creatures are also different than those from the real world. Horses, crows, wolves - evil people may command them, but Tolkien doesn't inherently say these animals are evil. While wargs, goblins, orcs, etc. they are evil without any question. Maybe you do have some other opinions about that? Which creatures terrified you the most? To me, aside from Balrog, it's Watcher in the Water. It was so scary and puzzling - what was its' purpose? Why did it create a dam hence a lake in front of the gates of Moria? Who installed it there? (maybe it was written somewhere - if it was so, please tell me)
- Sam's pony - I loved that pony! Did you too? I found that refreshing, how Tolkien thought the same, that in the times of danger good people will always think of animals too, because animals like children depend on us to save them.
- wargs - did you know that what was written after our fellowship's clash with them - that their corpses were nowhere to be found - it is because they really were sort of phantasms having real shape only in the darkness. I read that in the Companion Guide. It would never occurred to me otherwise - I simply thought the surviving wargs had taken their fallen comrades away! Now that was an evil enchanting at work I had no clue about before.
- Balrog & Gandalf (Mithrandir) - according to Companion Guide, both are actually Maiar, sort of angels fighting for the realm on the different sides, one to destroy the other to save it - Flame of Udun (Flame of Hell-Fire) against Flame of Anor (Flame of Life). If anything these show the Christian background of the author, even though different shapes of angels are present in many mythologies of the world.
The Fellowship and the story
- the fellowship - what do you think about the choice of the companions? What do you think why Gandalf thought friends be better choice than wise and strong? I liked how the story all the way hints strength won't be of more use than stealth and courage. Do you think so too?
- Gimli and Legolas - I love how they became fast friends, how they got over all the prejudices they each had about their races! Of the whole fellowship in this book, I liked their growth the most.
- Aragorn vs Boromir - what do you think about differences between those two men? To me they seemed so different even though they were supposedly of the same race (sort of - Aragorn was a Numenorean, a nobler and longer-living kind of human, soon to be extinct). That says a lot how race itself is not so important to form a person, but the upbringing, relationships, and surroundings. Aragorn was grieved by the loss of his family and legacy, that didn't let him to put himself above the others. Boromir was haunted by the pressure of his family's expectations and the fear of doom hovering over his home of Gondor, and he let that be above the lives of people he was with.
- Saruman's offer and betrayal - did that sound familiar to you? Abuse of power and its temptations, so well used trope, from the Bible and ancient times till today. Unfortunately, I think it's all too real even today.
- Ring of Power - It is shown again and again how Ring of Power lured its victims to its clutches, by offering all they desire, from Gollum to Saruman to Galadriel to Boromir... While some have noble intentions the others not so, yet, it appears obvious all that was deceitful, and in the end, to the ruin of its bearers.
- Caradhras - what do you think of that segment of the story? In my opinion, here Tolkien showed how he didn't want to create superheroes able to win everything and everyone - our heroes may be valiant and capable of many things, but they are still people of flesh and blood. What's more important, they use their judgment, accept their failings, and are not shy to admit the defeat. In the movies they came a bit like superheroes though. What do you think?
- the part of the book that left the biggest impression on you - Was it Caradhras? Or duel on the Bridge between Balrog and Gandalf? Or Boromir's conversation with Frodo? To me, it was Balin's Tomb scene. It saddened me so much. Especially if you've read The Hobbit first, you'll remember Balin and his companions from there. It must have been a horrible feeling for Gimli to find out that their mission to regain Moira was eventually a terrible failure. Imagine sending those news back to Erebor.
That's all from me. I guess ;) Please share with me your thoughts and impressions!
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Fellowship of the Ring (other topics)The Lord of the Rings (other topics)
I thought it is better to read the LotR before Hobbit, because not only the crucial points of the story are mentioned in this first book, Hobbit works well simply as one tale among many involving the Ring, all of which we will read in the following months. In short, one doesn't have to read Hobbit to be better acquainted with this trilogy. However, if you'd like to read Hobbit first, freely do so :)
If you want to, here you can also discuss the first movie in the Jackson's trilogy, its merits and differences from the book.
For all of you to whom this will be the first encounter with Tolkien and his world, I heartily welcome you and hope you will enjoy this project as much as we will!
P.S. You do not have to actually join the project to read these books. You can choose to read only LotR, or Hobbit, or any other book in the project on its own.
P.S.S. I am not sure if we need spoiler tags - I mean, even if we didn't all read the books or see the movies, they are all so embedded in our culture, we're at least all aware what it is about, so what would be the point of putting them?