The crossing of cruel Caradhras is hindered by snow, wind, and falling stones that seem to be sent by some supernatural force. Who or what is against them is unclear, but it is clear that continuing on is not an option… and going back is not going to be easy. Fortunately, a few members of the company aren’t quite as short as the rest, and Gandalf has something in his flask that will keep their spirits up. Also: the 1911 hiking trip that inspired Tolkien’s perilous mountain crossings, Elf-jokes, and profound listener insights about the varying tones in the Red Book of Westmarch.
Recommended Reading:
Tolkien, J. R. R. The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings (Mariner Books, paperback) pp. 281-86, “The Ring Goes South”
Tolkien, J. R. R. The Hobbit (Mariner Books, paperback)
Carpenter, Humphrey, ed. The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien (Mariner Books, paperback)
Tolkien, J. R. R. The Monsters and the Critics and Other Essays (HarperCollins, paperback)
Garth, John. Tolkien and the Great War: The Threshold of Middle-earth (Mariner Books, hardcover)
The company has anthropomorphized the weather. There is no visible Hobbit stone giants. There may not be even a spiritual entity involved. The weather and nature are often bad enough on their own. I think though it was important to Tolkien that the LotR be a serious book. In both books, the Hobbit and the LotR, the company has to retreat from nature but the latter is more believable.
Boromir. Back when was first reading the books I disliked him. He was a braggart and was to me an outsider to the company. After taking Dr. Flieger’s class in college I was gently corrected. She pointed to the rescue from Redhorn Pass after Boromir’s fall by the Anduin and she said “This is a good man”. I think we are caught in the leader triangle of Boromir, Aragorn, and Gandalf and clearly there are too many bulls in the pasture. We don’t though get a chance to see Boromir as a good guy who simply falls from Grace as many good men do.
Well said, Chuck. Boromir is certainly a proud man, a bit boastful and impetuous, but he is a good man. I think too many readers see only his seduction by the Ring.
I know this episode is over two years old, but I notice neither of you (in this episode and the one before) never mentioned how little Legolas is joining in the conversation. Just a thought.
Bob