Chapter 2: The Shadow of the Past
In the previous chapter, it was established that this wasn't a Bilbo adventure. Sorry, reader. But what sort of adventure would this be, then? Gandalf reveals this to Frodo and the reader in this chapter.
But before this, we see that Frodo began to show 'signs of good preservation'. This not only helps to relate the reader to Frodo through a 'Bilbo characteristic'. Seems like Frodo is, at least in these first few chapters, a 'Bilbo substitute.'
We also find that there are rumors of something stirring... refugees seem to be traveling from the East, "dwarves on the road in unusual numbers", but most importantly, I believe:
Elves, who seldom walked in the Shire, could now be seen passing westward through the woods in the evening, passing and not returning; but they were leaving Middle-earth and were no longer concerned with its troubles.
This is a major event. Elves had been a part of Middle-earth history from the First Age to the then present. We know them to be High Elves, or rather, Elves with some link to the Undying Lands in the West, the dwelling of the gods. This is a big deal, these Elves are magic and history from the shining lands... magic that is now leaving Middle-earth behind forever... not concerned with what goes on there any more. Of course, the inhabitants seem to respond in kind
Ted Sandyman wrote:And I don't see what it matters to me or you. Let them sail! But I warrant you haven't seen them doing it; nor any one else in the Shire.
This is extremely tragic. These hobbits, perhaps magical in their simplicity, have all ready mentally exiled the Elves. To them, Elven magic no longer exists, if it ever did. "There's no call to believe in them now."
There are, of course, exceptions (Frodo and Sam come to mind), but the vast majority of hobbits look like they will miss this last opportunity to witness a glorious part of Arda's history. And that, is really tragic. Could the same thing be said about our world? Did we or do we discount magic even before it has completely left us? This is part of the story that is to be told. Whatever happens, Frodo will be fighting to save a world that is losing its value, one that doesn't even mourn that lose.
But the reader doesn't know all that, that is the thoughts of a veteran.
So Gandalf comes along and begins to unfold the conflict. Turns out the Ring Frodo inherited is the One Ring, contains a good portion of the power of Sauron, and is needful in order to assure his success in establishing another 'age of shadow' (the first, no doubt, being when Morgoth ruled over Beleriand). Not only that, but the Ring works in a destructive manner to any other that would wield it. Sure, it yields power according to the ability of the wearer (no wonder it makes hobbits invisible), but true to Sauron's intentions for all life forms, it works to subjugate and dominate the wearer... 'like spreading so little butter on so much bread.' Given enough time, the wearer would eventually thin out into a wraith, unless the Ring abandoned him or he managed to 'destroy Sauron.' This later, seemingly impossible anyway, wouldn't matter. The Ring, by its very nature of subjugation, corrupts the wearer, making him evil.
And we stroll further from the Hobbit tale of yore. No longer is the ring something that can be used to further the excitement of our hero's adventure: it is a danger to our hero and the very Middle-earth itself.
All ready, we see hints of the treason of Saruman. His counsels seem to be for his own benefit in his progress in Ring-lore. We also hear of the dread Ringwraiths, but Frodo, nor it seems Gandalf, anticipate just how soon these will be encountered.
Now, it would seem that a point (sometimes criticism) of Lord of the Rings is the flat characterization. During this re-read, I'm not entirely sure that's accurate. It would seem to me that there is plenty of character development in Frodo (indeed, in most of the hobbits), starting in this chapter. When told of Gollum's betrayal of Bilbo's whereabouts and ring ownership, Frodo feels that Gollum ought to have died for this trespass. Gandalf admonishes Frodo, reminding him that Gollum was originally spared because Bilbo felt pity, and this pity may have been a key reason why the Ring had not corrupted him nearly as much as he could. Then there's the idea that Gollum may yet play a part and that he could be cured of his corruption. We'll see Frodo adopt this view later on.
Finally, there seems to be an interesting idea of 'redemption' in the Tolkien universe. Many evil characters could have actually chosen to do otherwise, even Sauron and Morgoth. Of course, there also seems to be a point where they reach a threshold beyond which no redemption is possible. And this is shown in outward manifestations. Once Morgoth orchestrated the destruction of the Trees to steal the Silmarils, he could no longer heal himself or change his form. He lost many abilities and no longer had the power to cast off his shell. Sauron, prior to his having orchestrated the destruction of Numenor, could assume a fair form. Afterwards, however, it was impossible for him. At this point he could no longer be redeemed of his evil. Gollum, at least in Gandalf's view, doesn't seem to be beyond redemption, despite his atrocious acts. This could be because, at least at this point, Gollum has not maliciously sought destruction of Beauty, or its subjugation... he was merely a slave to his addictions. Frodo, once he spends more time with the Ring, will grow to understand this better.
). Eventually, he concedes of his own free will, and he strolls out of Hobbiton and tale.
He wasn't very attached to the titles of the other books, which were never intended to be published separately. He offered several alternate titles for each book to his publishers, indicated which he preferred, and then let them choose (if I remember correctly).
