This last week I have been thinking a lot about Lord of the Rings. It has long been my favorite story. No matter how many times I read it, I am perpetually drawn in by the thrilling narrative so intricately woven together.
This week, in particular, what has been on my mind is the theme that runs throughout the books of Frodo separating himself from the group for, as he thinks of it, the greater good.
Distance in The Fellowship of the Ring
The theme begins very early in the book. We already know that Bilbo is a somewhat reclusive hobbit, and it only makes sense that Frodo would share, to some degree, in that reclusivity. After Bilbo heads off to hang out with the elves, Frodo is left alone with the Ring. In chapter 2 we learn that "Frodo lived alone," and even though he was popular with the younger hobbits he often goes wandering by himself. Already, before Frodo knows the full and awful truth of the Ring, he is beginning to feel its weight and separate himself from the majority of people.
The theme truly begins to pick up speed, and Frodo begins consciously distancing himself from others towards the end of chapter 2. He has just learned of the evil of the Ring, of the danger it poses, and the necessity of destroying it. Instead of asking Gandalf to go with him to a place to hide it, Frodo says this, "I hope you may find some other better keeper soon. But in the meanwhile it seems that I am a danger, a danger to all that live near me. . . . I ought to leave Bag End, leave the Shire, leave everything and go away" (emphasis mine). Leaving everything entails, of course, leaving everyone.
What's interesting to note, is that although Gandalf praises his resolve in leaving behind the Shire, he does not praise Frodo for wanting to go it alone. Instead, Gandalf openly shuns this idea, "But I don't think you need go alone." It is at this moment that Sam Gamgee is found eavesdropping (despite the suspicious lack of eaves at Bag End) and chosen for Frodo's traveling companion.
The next, most obvious, place where we can pick up the theme is in the council of Elrond (book II, chapter 2). Frodo, who due to his status as the ring bearer, has already been separated from his fellow hobbits since they were not invited to the council. After no one is willing to step up and take the Ring to Mordor, after sitting amongst legendary heroes for a few hours, Frodo steps up and says, "I will take the Ring, . . . though I do not know the way." Now it could be said that, because they had already spoken of sending a group, this is not a scenario in which Frodo distances himself from others. It's not the first bit of his proposition (I will take the Ring) that I want to focus on though, but the second.
"Though I do not know the way." With those words Frodo essentially says, "I'll take it, and don't worry I'll probably be able to figure it; out no need for you guys to fret." This interpretation of Frodo's words is further supported by Sam, who, as we will see at the end of The Fellowship of the Ring, knows his master best. Sam sprints out from his hiding place fearfully crying out, "But you won't send him off alone surely, Master?" Sam knows what no one else at the council knows. That, given the chance, Frodo would gladly shoulder this burden alone and head out from Rivendell all by himself.
While the rest of the book passes somewhat uneventfully (at least as far as our theme is concerned) it's the final bit of the book that really solidifies this theme as being a recurring problem for Frodo and his friends.
During the Uruk-hai attack, after being betrayed by an enchanted Boromir, Frodo makes a fateful decision. He will take the Ring to Mordor by himself. His decision, to some degree, has a semblance of logic. Having just seen how its insidious whispers can drive even a great man like Boromir (who in my opinion gets a bad rap) mad, how can he hope to stay amongst the others? What if Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli should all be driven mad at once? What if Pippin is driven mad? In order to protect them from the danger the Ring poses to their minds, Frodo leaves them behind.
Though not the exact lines of the book, the movie adaptation portrays the emotion of the scene rather well. As Frodo tries to escape, Sam catches up. Frodo desperately cries back to him, "I'm going to Mordor alone, Sam!" to which, as we all know, Sam yells back, "Of course you are! And I'm coming with you!" A greater picture of loyalty has scarcely been painted.
Conclusion of Part One
As we can see, Frodo has already proved himself to be adept at finding opportunities to distance himself from the group. Unfortunately for him (but fortunately for Middle Earth) his friends and allies are even more adept at foiling his plans. Next time we'll see how this theme unfolds itself in The Two Towers followed by The Return of the King at which point we will make some concluding remarks concerning this theme in our own lives.
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