Book I - Chapter 2 - The Shadow of the Past

[The Barrow-Wight]

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wraith of Angmar
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Let's move ahead into Chapter 2 of Book I, The Shadow of the Past.

Feel free to comment in previous chapter threads but don't jump ahead in the book, please.

Start discussing! <img src=smile.gif ALT="">

The Barrow-Wight (RKittle)
<font size="2">I usually haunt http://www.barrowdowns.comThe Barrow-Downs</a> and The Barrow-Downs http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgiMiddle-Earth Discussion Board</a>.</p>

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/redeye.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Book I - Chapter 2 - The Shadow of the Past

Yes, I liked this chaper alot, because it filled in some history about the ring and how it got where it is, and who gollum was(for those of us who have yet to read the Silmaril <img src=smile.gif ALT=""> ) Also this chapter set up the plot of the trilogy, to deal with the One Ring. It more or less (pardon my awkward phrazing) evilizes Sauron, and why the Ring must be dealt with. And this chapter also answers some important questions in the dialogue between Gandalf and Frodo. There that's my opinion for now.

"We didnt expect that the Narrow Pass through the Red Mountains would be choked with snow this early in the season. Personally, I think a Storm Giant Mage sent a blizzard in the pass to slow us down." -Arius </p>

[Mister Underhill]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/redeye.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Book I - Chapter 2 - The Shadow of the Past

Of course we have the first appearance of a very important name -- Mr. Underhill! What impresses me most about this chapter is the verisimilitude -- the quality of appearing to be real or true -- that JRRT is able to achieve. Almost every paragraph is fraught with a sense of vast history. The Ring takes on a sense of creepy malevolence. The way it wears on the owner’s mind, slowly but surely over the course of years. There’s this sense of implacable, patient evil. Sooner or later, the Ring will have you – even if it takes decades or centuries.

This is also the first time we start to get some solid information regarding Sauron – and oh my, you don’t want his eyes on you. I just love to imagine that scene that Gandalf describes – “And he has at last heard, I think, of hobbits and the Shire... Indeed, Frodo, I fear that he may even think that the long-unnoticed name of Baggins has become important.” You know that Frodo must be peeing in his breeches to think of Sauron turning his mind towards finding Baggins. Sauron is even more implacable than the ring, because he’s not patient. There’s nowhere to run to, nowhere to hide. There’s no stopping Sauron – we’ve seen that even physical death isn’t the end of him – “Always after a defeat and a respite, the Shadow takes another shape and grows again.” In fact, the only real solution that Gandalf can see is to take the Ring towards him! JRRT has masterfully set up the ultimate underdog story. Frodo, a simple country hobbit, vs. Sauron, the most powerful evil force you can imagine. An impossible quest against overwhelming odds. We also get our first real meeting with Sam, and we hear of the Nine for the first time. This chapter is loaded.

The last thing that stands out for me is the articulation of an important theme which will become crucial later – compassion. Gandalf is able to empathize with even as twisted and lowly a creature as Gollum – “I think it is a sad story,” he says of Gollum’s history, and he even believes that Gollum may yet be cured of his wickedness. His prediction that “the pity of Bilbo [in sparing Gollum] may rule the fate of many – yours not least” is dead on.


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[Gothmoga]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/redeye.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Book I - Chapter 2 - The Shadow of the Past

Stormlord of the air is a graphic thief,,!

<font color=cyan> "They come slowly forth and Glare." <HTML><HEAD><TITLE>Creating a Simple link</TITLE></HEAD>http://pub23.ezboard.com/bminasmorgulMinas Morgul,</A></BODY></HTML></p>

[Wizard of the Secret Fire]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/redeye.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Book I - Chapter 2 - The Shadow of the Past

<img src=laugh.gif ALT=":lol">

Your flying Red Balrog again Gothmoga?

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A place for discussions with other Tolkien fans about almost everything.</p></p>

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/redeye.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Book I - Chapter 2 - The Shadow of the Past

Question:

What exactly is the feeling when the ring gets 'thicker and heavier than ever'? It starts I believe in The Shadow of the Past and has always puzzled me!

It continues throughout Book 1 &amp; 2. I don't know if it happened to bilbo or not in &quot;The Hobbit&quot; and I haven't read the &quot;Return of the King&quot; yet! <img src=mad.gif ALT=">:"> Hmmph! Well, some help if you please!

Thanx

<CENTER>~Colin~
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[Celebringnar]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/onering.jpg" align=absmiddle> The Shadow of the past

Greetings and well met!


Well the way I see it is as follows. The ring contains most of Saurons might and as gandalf says... &quot;The wearer does not possess the ring... it possesses him...&quot; This would indicate a certain Id or Ego contained within the ring. Also the fact that &quot;...it found him...&quot; ie. Bilbo would re-enforce this.

Now this leads to the distortions of the ring. The ring had been worn by both Bilbo and Gollum and had never shown any signs of change. Yes it would @poses@ it's wearer in time but no physical signs showed on the ring itself. Only when it was put in the fire and discussions of its destruction came about did it show distortion. It somehow knew what was happening and reacted to it. That's my theory.



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[The Barrow-Wight]

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<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/onering.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: The Shadow of the past

If you were meaning physical distortion, then actually the Ring showed the ability to reshape itself many times. One size fits all. That one ring fit well on the hand of Sauron, Men and hobbits. And when it no longer appreciated the merits of it bearer, it would increase in size so as to slip off of the offending digit.

The Barrow-Wight (RKittle)
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[doug*platypus]

Easily my favourite chapter in the whole LOTR. I love the atmosphere of the scene, in Bag End with Gandalf and Frodo sitting and talking the day away. The history of Tolkien's Middle-Earth is revealed as grand and complete, and there are even some very dramatic moments when the nature of the Ring becomes apparent. Some of my favourite quotes, too.

"I cannot read the fiery letters," said Frodo in a quavering voice.

Eerie stuff. The whole schtick with Sam being hauled in by Gandalf is great, too. I like the way that you can sometimes hear him outside the window on a lovely Shire day cutting the grass. Makes it seem real, and the peace of The Shire contrasts nicely with the dark things that Gandalf is talking about.

I love the whole ancient wise master Gandalf instructing naive young pupil Frodo bit, too. The similar scene from Star Wars: A New Hope is also one of my faves, just thought I'd mention it.

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[akhtene]

I hape I won't be greatly mistaken if I say this chapter is #1 in a way. To me "The Long Expected Party" looks kind of link between "The Hobbit" and LOTR, a good-bye to Bilbo as the main character.
But "The shadow..." starts an altogether new story. It's there that we get to know Frodo NOT JUST as Bilbo's nephew.It's there that we learn the true story of the Ring - not in the first chapter, as it doesn't really concern Bilbo or the events of "The Hobbit". And there plans for the future are made.
So, the past, present and future come together in it. THE PAST - the story of the Ring and of Gollum. THE PRESENT - the hobbit rumours of what's going on 'in the world':strange wonderers, elves leaving for the West... The FUTURE - the necessity to dispose of the Ring, and 3 members of the Fellowship already together.
And different styles of writing we can come across too. The solemn and a bit scary story of the Ring. A matter-of-fact, but so 'cosy' description of Frodo's life. Soft humour in the scene of 'capturing' Sam (most sutable at the end of this grim chapter)
Thus, in a sense, it introduces the book.

[alaklondewen]

I remember the that first time I read The Shadow of the Past it was almost too much information, too much too soak up. I had to read over it again and think about it. Now it is one of my favorite chapters.

I can feel the darkness Frodo must feel after sitting up all night hearing bits and pieces about matter that was "best left until daylight". Poor Frodo. His inheritance has become more than he bargained for.

JRRT personifies the ring by making it change size and shape by its own will. It is not a trinket that one can throw away or hide.

Though he had found out that the thing needed looking after;

I also look forward to reading Gollum's history. It fasinates me to think of him before the ring, living under his grandmother's roof, and to imagine him in a well-to-do family. One cannot help but feel pity for him after seeing what the ring did to him.

They kicked him, and he bit their feet.

That has always been a powerful image for me.

These are some of the favorite quotes from the chapter:

'Oh, they're both cracked,' said Ted. 'Leastawys old Bilbo was cracked, and Frodo's cracking. If that's where you get your news from, you'll never want for moonshine.'

Hobbit wit always makes me smile.

And if he often uses the Ring to make himself invisible, he fades: he becomes in the end invisible permanently, and walks in the twilight under the eye of the dark power that rules the Rings.

If that is not motivation to not wear the ring, I don't know what is.

So he is seeking it, seeking it, and all his thought is bent on it.

Yes, Mister Underhill, he must have peed him pants.

I think this is a powerful chapter that sets the tone for the rest of the book. It shows a contrast between the reality of the danger of the Ring and the quiet, simple Shire life. I loved it.