LoTR Discussion project; Book IV Chapters 3 and 4

[olsonm]

Originally Posted by BeardofPants

Was it Gollum's promise to the Ring that prevented him from answering this question directly, or something else? It is interesting to note that even when Frodo manages to draw him out about the way being guarded, there is always something that apparently stops Gollum from being truthful - later on in this passage, he is presumably in a sulk because of being accused of being a liar, and manages to further dodge any questions of the pass being guarded.

I would conjecture that Gollum's promise to Shelob was also playing a part in preventing him from opening up to Frodo. "...and the darkness of her evil will walked through all the ways of his weariness beside him, cutting him off from light and from regret. And he had promised to bring her food....And Gollum brought it to her." Creepy. Very entertaining summary BoP.