LotR Discussion Project. Book Four. Chapters 1 and 2.

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

Lord of the Rings Discussion Project. Book Four. Chapters 1. The Taming of Smeagol.

We now return to the true quest with Frodo and Sam who are trying to escape the Rocky Hills of Emyn Muil. The first thing we ‘hear’ is on of Sam’s good ol’ stating the obvious lines, that help the reader guess what’s happened off screen.

”Well, master, we’re in a fix and no mistake.”

We then ‘hear’ Frodo again for the first time. He is stern and trying to adapt to the position of guide and leader which has previously been filled by Gandalf and Aragorn. We hear Frodo saying he should have left the Company long before and avoided Emyn Muil. But when could he have left? I’m not Galadriel would have let him wander off alone into the Wilderness, whatever Olmer might say.
During telling Sam they need to leave the hills he says he feels naked to the Eye of the Dark Tower. What is that? Is it the Palantir. Is it in the Spiritual world. Both? Neither?
We then come to Frodo’s fall. After persuading Sam not to climb himself, he falls, after he hearing a Nazgûl in the air and temporarily looses sight, until Sam lowers his long forgotten elven rope, which shines in the Dark. After much talk they decide to use the rope to help themselves escape the Emyn Muil. Frodo let’s Sam down and ties the rope to a rock for his own safety. On reaching the bottom, Sam realises that the rope is stuck at the top, and is utterly astounded when it falls. Frodo blame’s a dodgy knot, which Sam doesn’t take kindly, saying it answered his call. .
At the foot of the Emyn Muil they eventually found some kind of shelter. As they set up camp, Frodo noticed something climbing down the wall, but asks Sam what it is. Sam notices or guesses, that it is indeed Gollum, and sneaks over to try and deal with him. Unfortunately for Sam Gollum is tougher than he looks, and Sam would have been in serious trouble, had not Frodo been ready, Sting in hand. From the beginning we can tell Frodo’s sympathy towards Gollum is greater than Sam’s, Sam referring to Gollum as it, and Frodo referring to Gollum as him. Frodo then hears the voices of himself and Gandalf and their conversation in Moria.

What a pity Bilbo did not stab the vile creature, when he had the chance!
Pity? It was pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike with out need.
I do not feel any pity for Gollum. He deserves death.
Deserves death! I daresay he does. Many live that deserve death. And some die that deserve life. Can you give that to them? Then be not to eager to deal out death in the name of justice, fearing for your own safety. Even the wise can not see all ends.

After deciding not to kill Gollum , Frodo tells him of their journey, but not of their quest . At the mention of Mordor Gollum starts shrieking, saying they are always awake, and he can’t find it. Gollum agrees to guide them through the darkness, after grumbling about the White Face. Frodo sits Gollum between himself & Sam. Just as they expected Gollum vainly made an attempt to escape, but was soon stopped by Sam, who was hot on his heels. The hobbits decided to tie him up to ensure that there were no other escape attempts. The results were surprising, as soon as Sam tied the knot, Gollum started screaming, complaining that the rope was hurting him. Frodo was convinced that he truly was in pain, but would not remove the rope unless he had some promise he could trust. Smeagol then swore ‘On the Precious that he would be nice to the hobbitses. At this Frodo exploded in anger.

On the Precious? How dare you?” he said. “Think! One Ring to them all and in the Darkness bind them.
Would you commit your promise to that, Smeagol? It will hold you. But it is more treacherous than you are. It may twist you words. Beware!”

Just skipping ahead a bit, but do you that this oath had any affect on Gollum?
Gollum swore by the Precious, and Sam at Frodo’s bidding took the rope off Gollum’s ankle.