Frodo's initial delay in leaving the Shire: What does it mean?

[Child of the 7th Age]

At the beginning of the LotR, there is a major delay between when Frodo learns he must leave, and when he actually gets around to doing it. I 'd like to talk about this and what it means.

Even before Gandalf's arrival, Frodo "began to feel restless," particularly with the approach of his 50th birthday (a most dangerous time!) Old paths seemed too well travelled. He spent much time with strange wayfarers, many of them dwarves, who began appearing in the Shire. His friends watched him anxiously. So seemingly, he was preparing himself mentally to depart.

In "The Shadow of the Past" in a discssion which took place on April 12, 3018, Gandalf told Frodo of the general threat posed by the Ring. He also explained that the only way to destroy the Ring was to travel to Ordruin, the Fire Mountain, and cast the Ring in its depths. Gandalf gave Frodo words of assurance he'd help him, but said that something should be done quickly:

"I will help you bear this burden, as long as it is yours to bear. But we must do something, soon. The Enemy is moving."

In this same scene, Gandalf picked out Sam as Frodo's travelling companion, and even suggests the pseudonym "Mr. Underhill." And although Frodo is a little frightened and tries to push the Ring story out of his head, he is thinks happily about the prospect of possibly seeing Bilbo, who left some 17 years before.

So what happens? Two to three weeks passed, and Frodo had still not done anything to prepare so Gandalf again said "You ought to go quietly, and you ought to go soon." Then Frodo made up several excuses and promised Gandalf he'd leave on or after his birthday.

At the end of June, Gandalf himself left the Shire and said that Frodo might need to leave sooner than his birthday. He promised to come get him or send word back. Of course, he didn't because we all know what happened in July! We learn later that Frodo spent all summer going about and muttering quiet goodbyes to his favorite spots.

Finally, on September 23, 3018, Frodo set off from the Shire. That means almost half a year passed between the time Gandalf told Frodo to leave the Shire and the time he actually left.

Compare that with Bilbo in The Hobbit. Gandalf visited one afternoon and, within 36 hours, Bilbo had raced out of the house to catch up with the dwarves, not even remembering his pocket handkerchief. Admittedly, Frodo had more things to worry about than Bilbo because he had to sell Bag End and find another property. But I'm quite sure Frodo would not have needed more than a month to finalize Lobelia's purchase of his house, buy another residence, and prepare his neighbors for his departure. (Believe me, we had to do this same thing in a space of only a few weeks!)

So, what does all this mean? Why does Tolkien use this delaying device at the beginning of the LotR? Did he just want to gear everything in to Frodo and Bilbo's birthday date (9/22)? Or, does it say something about Frodo' personality? And does Frodo's propensity for clinging to his home have any implications, either positive or negative, for the destrucion of the Ring? And what about comparing Frodo with Bilbo, the one person Frodo loved best in the whole world? Why are they so different in this regard? And, don't get me wrong, as many of you know, I am a big defender of Frodo. And if anyone had come to me with such a tale, it would have probably taken me even longer to get ready to go!

If this sounds like a final exam question in a high school or college literature course, you're probably right! I used to teach and loved to make my students "suffer" by thinking about impossible questions like this. But I'm also somewhat puzzled, and would honestly like your opinions. (I've got some ideas on this, but will get back with that later.)

sharon, the 7th age very long winded hobbit

[ August 21, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]