Winser Espinal’s Reviews > The Two Towers > Status Update

"The Choices of Master Samwise"

This brought a smile to my face:

‘And what is it then?’ growled Shagrat.

‘By all the signs, Captain Shagrat, I’d say there’s a large warrior loose, Elf most likely, with an elf-sword anyway, and an axe as well maybe; and he’s loose in your bounds, too, and you’ve never spotted him. Very funny indeed!’ Gorbag spat. Sam smiled grimly at this description of himself.

"Shelob's Lair"

Facing darkness is humanity's chief fear — this is often just a fancy way of referring to the unknown.

We tend to hate what we don't know almost as passionately as we fear what we can't see. I believe that the statements above explain why this chapter works so well.

The horror of facing Shelob felt real, menacing and almost unbearable. This is a chapter that will haunt my nightmares for a while.

"The Stairs of Cirith Ungol"

I was hit hard by Sam's speech:

"But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn't. And if they had, we shouldn't know because they'd have been forgotten."

Today, I really wanted to give up... This chapter pushed me towards continuing the fight.

"Journey to the Cross-roads"

Gollum is acting like the perfect guide again, and on their way to Cirith Ungol, he's been relentlessly guiding the Hobbits towards their destination.

This chapter makes sure the reader notices the stark contrast between Gondor and Mordor.

This chapter's conclusion filled me with hope as Frodo claims that "the king has got a crown again [...] they cannot conquer forever. "

"The Forbidden Pool"

Frodo and Smeagol's master-servant relationship is a thing of wretchesness. Frodo is obviously exploiting him while Smeagol is clearly plotting betrayal.

You might be inclined to say that Frodo is doing this for the greater good, but you'd have to admit that it is still uncomfortable to witness such a power dynamic.

I like how everybody is fully aware of the risk of trusting Gollum.

"The Window on the West"

Faramir's wisdom impressed me a great deal. His conversation with Frodo was an intense battle of wits unlike anything I have read before.

In the end, Frodo came out on top, but Faramir was able to show his quality.

Yes, handsome is what handsome does.

"Of herbs and stewed rabbit"

With a name like this, I was expecting a slow and cozy chapter; I did get that, but I also got one of the most intense battles this book has to offer after Helm's Deep.

It was very interesting to learn more about the Rangers of Ithilien, I knew they were a thing, but I did not know they were Dunedain just like their northern counterpart.

"The Black Gate is Closed"

Frodo's wildest burn yet is delivered in this chapter:

'In last need Smeagol, I should put on the Precious; and the Precious mastered you long ago. If I, wearing it, were to command you, you'd obey, even if it were to leap from a precipice or to cast yourself into the fire. And such would be my command. So have care, Smeagol!'

Even Sam shuddered upon hearing his master speak those words.

"The Passage of the Marshes"

The Dead Marshes have probably inspired many modern fantasy epics to include foul places in their stories; the eerie aura of this place felt suffocating, I was especially impressed by the fact that only Hobbits would have been able to make such a journey, as a heavier race would surely have drowned.

Frodo, Sam, and Gollum end this chapter as they get ready to enter Mordor...

"The taming of Smeagol"

This chapter begins with Frodo and Sam's challenging descent from Emyn Muil. I find it surprising that even though this is supposed to happen at the same time Aragorn and the Fellowship started their Rohan adventure, this part of the story is given to us kind of like a flash back. Anyway, book Frodo demonstrates his prowess by taming Smeagol masterfully through the power of The One Ring.