Which finger did Frodo lose when Gollum bit the ring off his hand?

Arathorn · 02-27-2002, 07:28 AM

I just got back to the part in ROTK where Sam woke up in Ithilien with Frodo still asleep and

Quote:

slept peacefully, one hand behind his head, and the other resting upon the coverlet. It was the right hand, and the third finger was missing.

I was wondering whether this would be the ring finger or the, er, dirty finger. Any ideas?

Laurelyn · 02-27-2002, 07:45 AM

Y'know, now that you bring it up, I have no idea. "Third finger" could be either one's middle finger, or the ring finger if you exclude the thumb . . . huh.

eowyn144 · 02-27-2002, 07:48 AM

definetly the ring finger. i think. u don't include the thumb as a finger cos its too small.

Laurelyn · 02-27-2002, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by eowyn144
u don't include the thumb as a finger cos its too small.

It's also different otherwise, too . . . pinkie fingers are smaller than thumbs . . . wait . . . But I do think that probably was Tolkien's way of saying the ring finger, now that I ponder it some more. Not that my thought on the matter means anything, but that's okay . . .

Arathorn · 02-27-2002, 08:00 AM

Good point. But then Sam's song would then go: "Frodo of the seven fingers and two thumbs and the Ring of Doom" instead of the "nine fingers".

luinilwen · 02-27-2002, 08:07 AM

well imagine if it'd been on his left ring finger! would that make him engaged to sauron?

well in piano, the third finger is the middle finger, although in guitar the third finger is the ring finger. so i suppose the question is: what instrument did frodo play?

Laurelyn · 02-27-2002, 08:46 AM

Or did he play an instrument at all? Or, rather, did Tolkien play an instrument? If so, which finger was refferred to as what . . .? Ok , that post was indeed random on my part . . .

Banazir · 02-27-2002, 05:11 PM

I really think it was the ring finger, because there's this issue of Frodo writing the 'Red Book' after the war. It's harder to write with the middle finger missing, than with the ring finger missing. Supposing, of course, that Frodo was right-handed.

Menelvagor · 02-27-2002, 06:47 PM

I would think it would be the ring finger, simply because that the ring finger, but, then again, I never wear a ring on my ring finger, so whatever. How did Gollum manage to bite off only one finger anyway, no matter which one it is? That'd be darn hard!

Feel free to ignore this post, I have no idea what I'm typing...

Tanoliel · 02-27-2002, 09:27 PM

I think it was the ring finger...because i think i've heard it referred to as the third finger before. also...it just seems righter. more right. whatever. I can't think right now...yargh...
-tano

FrodoFriend · 02-28-2002, 01:07 AM

I always thought it was the middle finger. Why would you exclude the thumb from the other fingers?

But now that I think about it, ring finger does seem nicer. Did they call the "ring" finger in Tolkien's time?

Eruviel Greenleaf · 02-28-2002, 01:15 AM

I would just say it's the ring finger, but that's just how I pictured it when I was reading the book. I've never really thought about which way one counts one's fingers. I guess it just makes sense if Frodo were to put the Ring on on his "ring finger." Anyway, I'm just rambling.

But I wonder how they will do it in the movie...

Arathorn · 02-28-2002, 12:55 PM

Thanks guys. Eruviel Greenleaf, I think that's the more interesting question: How will they interpret it in the movie? Hopefully, they don't do a cop out and cover the whole hand with a cast or something.

eowyn144 · 02-28-2002, 02:57 PM

i'm pretty sure that they'll show it all. they didn't cut out the chopping off of arms and heads so why cut out the cutting off of a finger?
also- i have now been pondering due to Banazirs earlier post wether or not frodo is right or left handed. ne one out there know?

Eruviel Greenleaf · 02-28-2002, 05:10 PM

I don't know what people thought about this in Tolkien's time, but people used to think that left-handed people were evil, or just that it was wrong to use one's left hand and therefore made left-handed children use their right hands. I know they did this in Victorian times, and I don't know what Tolkien thought, especially considering he was quite a few years later, but I would assume a little of that fear of such differences would still remain, and that Tolkien probably wouldn't think about this anyway, so I would assume that Frodo was right-handed. Tell me if I'm wrong. Better yet, tell me if anything I just said made sense.

eowyn144 · 02-28-2002, 05:25 PM

errr... kinda. thank you all the same.

***Earniel*** · 02-28-2002, 07:06 PM

*looks at her hands* AAAAARRGGHH you've made me all confused! I can't even COUNT on my fingers anymore!!!

Other than that I think it must have been the ringfinger, since he was wearing a ring and what use is a ringfinger for if not that?

Nameless · 02-28-2002, 07:26 PM

Uh-oh, I shouldn't have read this thread!

Now I'm really confused. So confused I've tangled all my fingers up! And the third finger is....?

*Sigh* I can't even see which finger is which!

This is not good, I'm trying to type with my thumbs........

Arathorn · 02-28-2002, 10:59 PM

Ummm, guys. I was just asking a question. Please don't any of you start biting off any fingers, ok?

Banazir · 03-01-2002, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by eowyn144
also- i have now been pondering due to Banazirs earlier post wether or not frodo is right or left handed. ne one out there know?

It's mentioned in several places in the books (although I can't find them now) that Frodo held his sword in his right hand. So I guess it's safe to assume he wasn't left-handed.
There is also such thing as ambidextrous people, i.e. those who can use both hands equally. Maybe Frodo was one of those.

02-27-2002, 07:45 AM	#2
Laurelyn Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Valinor, right next to Telperion . . . what did you expect, Michigan? Posts: 1,315	Y'know, now that you bring it up, I have no idea. "Third finger" could be either one's middle finger, or the ring finger if you exclude the thumb . . . huh. __________________ The Third Age of Entmoot has begun. Angel of music, guide and guardian! Grant to me your glory! The country I eat and spend the day in is by no means the country I sleep and dream in. Define patriotism. Hold the boat, you spastic monkey! ~ Elenka

02-27-2002, 07:48 AM	#3
eowyn144 Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 435	definetly the ring finger. i think. u don't include the thumb as a finger cos its too small. __________________ If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe

02-27-2002, 08:00 AM	#5
Arathorn Bard of Mangled Songs Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: West of Middle Earth...oh alright...Manila Posts: 2,679	Good point. But then Sam's song would then go: "Frodo of the seven fingers and two thumbs and the Ring of Doom" instead of the "nine fingers". __________________ Power attracts the corruptible. Absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible. -Missionaria Protectiva, Frank Herbert *Accio, Ash Nazg!* Elennuru s?la lúmenn' omentielvo* (The Death Star shines on the hour of our meeting) - Darth Arathorn Put aside the ranger... Start looking for Mumakil action figures... Last edited by Arathorn : 02-27-2002 at 08:03 AM.

02-27-2002, 08:46 AM	#7
Laurelyn Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Valinor, right next to Telperion . . . what did you expect, Michigan? Posts: 1,315	Or did he play an instrument at all? Or, rather, did Tolkien play an instrument? If so, which finger was refferred to as what . . .? Ok , that post was indeed random on my part . . . __________________ The Third Age of Entmoot has begun. Angel of music, guide and guardian! Grant to me your glory! The country I eat and spend the day in is by no means the country I sleep and dream in. Define patriotism. Hold the boat, you spastic monkey! ~ Elenka

02-27-2002, 05:11 PM	#8
Banazir Hobbit Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 40	I really think it was the ring finger, because there's this issue of Frodo writing the 'Red Book' after the war. It's harder to write with the middle finger missing, than with the ring finger missing. Supposing, of course, that Frodo was right-handed. __________________ "...I love him, whether or no".

02-27-2002, 08:07 AM	#6
luinilwen Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sydney AUSTRALIA Posts: 368	well imagine if it'd been on his left ring finger! would that make him engaged to sauron? well in piano, the third finger is the middle finger, although in guitar the third finger is the ring finger. so i suppose the question is: what instrument did frodo play?

02-27-2002, 06:47 PM	#9
Menelvagor Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: lurking on the edge of conversations Posts: 924	I would think it would be the ring finger, simply because that the ring finger, but, then again, I never wear a ring on my ring finger, so whatever. How did Gollum manage to bite off only one finger anyway, no matter which one it is? That'd be darn hard! Feel free to ignore this post, I have no idea what I'm typing...

02-27-2002, 09:27 PM	#10
Tanoliel Eccentric Chocolate Crow Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The Emerald City--Seattle, WA Posts: 1,861	I think it was the ring finger...because i think i've heard it referred to as the third finger before. also...it just seems righter. more right. whatever. I can't think right now...yargh... -tano __________________ Wisdom for Short Attention Spans...Ozy and Millie. It rocks. Food Of The Gods: 3,7-dihydro-3,7-dimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione Feed Me.... Another Online Dwelling Place... "All right, I confess. It is my intention to comandeer a ship, pick up a crew in Tortuga, to rape, pillage, plunder and otherwise pilfer my weasely black guts out." -Captain Jack Sparrow "The trouble with unknown enemies is that they are so difficult to identify." -Amelia Peabody Emerson "Most people obey the orders of someone who is pointing a gun at their head." -A.P. Emerson

02-28-2002, 01:07 AM	#11
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	I always thought it was the middle finger. Why would you exclude the thumb from the other fingers? But now that I think about it, ring finger does seem nicer. Did they call the "ring" finger in Tolkien's time? __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

02-28-2002, 01:15 AM	#12
Eruviel Greenleaf Alcoholic Villain-Fancying Elf Pirate Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lyonesse Posts: 4,547	I would just say it's the ring finger, but that's just how I pictured it when I was reading the book. I've never really thought about which way one counts one's fingers. I guess it just makes sense if Frodo were to put the Ring on on his "ring finger." Anyway, I'm just rambling. But I wonder how they will do it in the movie... __________________ Eruviel Greenleaf in a past life. "Whoever has come to understand the world has found only a corpse, and whoever has found a corpse is superior to the world." -The Gospel of Thomas SQUAWK!

02-28-2002, 12:55 PM	#13
Arathorn Bard of Mangled Songs Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: West of Middle Earth...oh alright...Manila Posts: 2,679	Thanks guys. Eruviel Greenleaf, I think that's the more interesting question: How will they interpret it in the movie? Hopefully, they don't do a cop out and cover the whole hand with a cast or something. __________________ Power attracts the corruptible. Absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible. -Missionaria Protectiva, Frank Herbert *Accio, Ash Nazg!* Elennuru s?la lúmenn' omentielvo* (The Death Star shines on the hour of our meeting) - Darth Arathorn Put aside the ranger... Start looking for Mumakil action figures...

02-28-2002, 02:57 PM	#14
eowyn144 Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 435	i'm pretty sure that they'll show it all. they didn't cut out the chopping off of arms and heads so why cut out the cutting off of a finger? also- i have now been pondering due to Banazirs earlier post wether or not frodo is right or left handed. ne one out there know? __________________ If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe

02-28-2002, 05:10 PM	#15
Eruviel Greenleaf Alcoholic Villain-Fancying Elf Pirate Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lyonesse Posts: 4,547	I don't know what people thought about this in Tolkien's time, but people used to think that left-handed people were evil, or just that it was wrong to use one's left hand and therefore made left-handed children use their right hands. I know they did this in Victorian times, and I don't know what Tolkien thought, especially considering he was quite a few years later, but I would assume a little of that fear of such differences would still remain, and that Tolkien probably wouldn't think about this anyway, so I would assume that Frodo was right-handed. Tell me if I'm wrong. Better yet, tell me if anything I just said made sense. __________________ Eruviel Greenleaf in a past life. "Whoever has come to understand the world has found only a corpse, and whoever has found a corpse is superior to the world." -The Gospel of Thomas SQUAWK! Last edited by Eruviel Greenleaf : 02-28-2002 at 11:46 PM.

02-28-2002, 05:25 PM	#16
eowyn144 Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 435	errr... kinda. thank you all the same. __________________ If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe

02-28-2002, 07:06 PM	#17
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	looks at her hands AAAAARRGGHH you've made me all confused! I can't even COUNT on my fingers anymore!!! Other than that I think it must have been the ringfinger, since he was wearing a ring and what use is a ringfinger for if not that?

02-28-2002, 07:26 PM	#18
Nameless Enting Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 68	Uh-oh, I shouldn't have read this thread! Now I'm really confused. So confused I've tangled all my fingers up! And the third finger is....? Sigh I can't even see which finger is which! This is not good, I'm trying to type with my thumbs........ __________________ Nameless and Faceless, but not Voiceless - - - Do you hear me?

02-28-2002, 10:59 PM	#19
Arathorn Bard of Mangled Songs Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: West of Middle Earth...oh alright...Manila Posts: 2,679	Ummm, guys. I was just asking a question. Please don't any of you start biting off any fingers, ok? __________________ Power attracts the corruptible. Absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible. -Missionaria Protectiva, Frank Herbert *Accio, Ash Nazg!* Elennuru s?la lúmenn' omentielvo* (The Death Star shines on the hour of our meeting) - Darth Arathorn Put aside the ranger... Start looking for Mumakil action figures...

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