The Fellowship of the Ring // Book 1, Chapter 2 // The Shadow of the Past

Also known as the First Long Chapter Where Much Is Explained, I feel like this is where we go out of Hobbit territory and we start seeing the edges of momentous things.

And I forgot the mention of Ents in this chapter! I always think of them as being a bit of a surprise further in. But nope, here they are right at the beginning. So that's neat.

I love the short description of Aragorn -- almost easy to miss in passing -- but packed with grim mystery, and tingles, eh?

Then as relates to what Gandalf says regarding not killing Gollum... I'm really looking forward to mulling again over the whole concept of 1) how we don't always see the ultimate reason for something and 2) sometimes repentance from any one person/character looks definitively impossible, but it doesn't matter, the final call isn't ours to make. We can only make decisions based on what's right and what seems wise at a specific time, and the role we've been called to play. Which is all a discussion of Providence, I guess.

And this might seem self-evident to everyone else, but it just smacked into me again. The Ring twists and deadens those in its thrall. So isn't it fascinating that Gandalf says Bilbo took such little hurt from the Ring because he began his holding of it with pity (v. murder in his heart) and here at this point Frodo has no pity, but then over the course of the story matures into it even while already holding the Ring. So yes, sometimes I agree Frodo can come across as one of the weaker characters (though we're definitely going to examine that as we go along), but in essence -- if what I just said is true -- then he must have incredible toughness (moral and otherwise), not only to resist the Ring, but (and I guess through using it as a passing trial?) actually developing virtue while holding it, and must really be a fine specimen of a hobbit. I'm looking forward to putting my theory to the test as we go along.

Finally there's Sam making his full grand entrance -- shears, grass clippings, and all. Dear Sam!

Quotes:

"It was early April and the sky was now clearing after heavy rain. The sun was down, and a cool pale evening was quietly fading into night. He walked home under the early stars through Hobbiton and up the Hill, whistling softly and thoughtfully."

"Among the Wise I am the only one that goes in for hobbit-lore: an obscure branch of knowledge, but full of surprises. Soft as butter they can be, and yet sometimes as tough as old tree-roots."

"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

"Behind that there was something else at work, beyond any design of the Ring-maker. I can put it no plainer than by saying that Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, and not by its maker. In which case you also were meant to have it. And that may be an encouraging thought." 

"My dear Frodo!" exclaimed Gandalf. "Hobbits really are amazing creatures, as I have said before. You can learn all that there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet after a hundred years they can still surprise you at a pinch. I hardly expected to get such an answer, not even from you. But Bilbo made no mistake in choosing his heir, though he little thought how important it would prove."

"Get up, Sam!" said Gandalf. "I have thought of something better than that. Something to shut your mouth, and punish you properly for listening. You shall go away with Mr. Frodo!"

For thought:

-- What stuck out to you in this chapter?