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03-07-2003, 03:06 PM | #41 | |
Peer of the realm of Sanguine
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: The Hill, Marlton, NJ
Posts: 798
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Quote:
Remember that Gandalf said that Bilbo gave up the ring willingly, and that was important. It showed that the ring did not have the hold over Bilbo that it did over Gollum. The real question is why. Tolkien gives no definitive answer, not even a clue. Was Gollum evil from the start, or was he merely susceptable. I suggest it was because he was young when the ring "found him." There's no evidence to support this, but I picture Smeagol and Deagol as two kids out for a day fishing on the river when the ring was found. Like a lazy Saturday afternoon, away from the grownups, bored silly when this big fish bites, and pulls Deagol into the water. . etc. Reminds me of my childhood. (No fish ever pulled me into the water, I was a bit too overweight).
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“"I am the friend of bears and the guest of eagles. I am Ringwinner and Luckwearer; and I am Barrel-rider," Fear Complacency! ___________________ Something under the bed is drooling Last edited by barrelrider110 : 03-07-2003 at 03:12 PM. |
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03-07-2003, 10:24 PM | #42 |
Long lost mooter
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,342
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I could support that theory. The more youthful the bearer, the more susceptible to corruption perhaps due to the fact that they do not "know" themselves as well yet. But I do think that Smeagol was a more selfish sort, maybe spoiled, who knows. I also happen to think that the kind of creature he was, although the ancestors of hobbits, were more primitive. More innocent (in a way), but also not as well developed a system of social mores or personal ethics. All of these could contribute to the corruptability factor.
(Note: although there were beings of other societies more advanced than that of the Shire that would have been more corruptable, I mean that the hobbits in particular had a way of life and moral philosphy that -- what's the opposite of predispose? -- they just evolved in such a way that evil is not in their nature, which we all know from Gandalf saying as much at different times in the book, and also from the actions of the hobbits themselves. Valuing peace and quiet, good food and a warm fire above all else becomes the key ingredient for withstanding the power of the ring. But then they had to learn to stand up for themselves because it can also be a detriment when it becomes necessary to fight off evil. Don't know if I've made the point clear, but I think you can see what I'm getting at). |
03-11-2003, 12:29 AM | #43 |
Elven Warrior
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: My mother would say somewhere between the adult mystery section and the YA sci-fi
Posts: 489
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I think its because Bilbo hardly ever wore the ring
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"The Astels are an emotional people. They cry at the drop of a handkerchief. Their culture is much like that of Pelosia. They're extremely devot and invincibly backward. It's been demonstrated to them over an over that serfdom is an archaic, inefficent institution, but they maintain it anyway--largely at the connivance of the serfs thmselves. Astellian nobles don't exert themselves in any way, so they have no concept of human endurance. The serfs take advantage of that outrageously. Astellian serfs have been known to collapse from sheer exhauston at the very mention of such unpleasant words as 'reaping' or 'digging'." ----------------------------------------------- “They lost him?!” Lupin asked , amazed. “Voldemort has been after Harry for 15 years, and then he misplaces him?!” |
03-11-2003, 01:26 PM | #44 | |
Peer of the realm of Sanguine
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: The Hill, Marlton, NJ
Posts: 798
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Quote:
I think the ring had less effect on Bilbo than Gollum because of his nature: his innate goodness and inner strength.
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“"I am the friend of bears and the guest of eagles. I am Ringwinner and Luckwearer; and I am Barrel-rider," Fear Complacency! ___________________ Something under the bed is drooling |
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03-11-2003, 01:31 PM | #45 |
Domesticated Swing Babe
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Reality
Posts: 5,340
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Yes, and didn't Bilbo wear the ring almost constantly when the dwarfs were locked up by Thranduil? He and the ring were mighty busy there for awhile!
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