This is the sixth post of
a series of posts on J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. This series focuses on the first volume
of the trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring.
You can find the first
post here.
The second
post here.
The third
post here.
The fourth
post here.
The fifth
post here.
Summary:
Bk1 Ch 10_11
Chapter 10: Strider
Frodo, Sam, and Pippin made their way back to the Inn’s parlor, and when they lit a fire noticed that Strider was among them. Strider reminded Frodo he needed to speak to him. Strider said the information he was to provide would cost Frodo something, that is Frodo must take Strider as a companion. Reluctant, Frodo said it depended on the information. Strider said that Frodo and the hobbits had been too talkative and careless with information. Strider himself had heard the hobbits use the name of Baggins as they made their way to Bree. He then warned Frodo that the pursuers were close and they would need to leave in the morning. Strider could take them through less known paths.
Frodo, suspicious, asked Strider who he was and what did he know of Frodo’s business. As Strider was explaining that Frodo had no choice but to trust him, there was a knock and Barley the landlord came in with a letter for Frodo. The letter was from Gandalf and that Barley had promised to deliver to the Shire some three months before. But he had forgotten. The letter explained that Gandalf had an urgent matter, had to rush off, and would not be able to meet up with him. There would be a man named Strider, whose real name is Aragorn, that would help the hobbits get to Rivendell. He included a poem in the letter that the real Strider would know.
Frodo read the letter silently, and, when Strider mouthed off a few lines from the poem, Frodo knew before him was the real Strider. Strider laid out a plan to get to Weathertop, a flat hill half way to Rivendell.
Suddenly Merry burst into
the room and slammed the door shut. He
had come across Black Riders. Strider
explained the Black Riders have not all assembled together yet, and that there
is a little time to escape them. They went
to bed for the night with the plan to leave immediately in the morning.
Chapter 11: A Knife in the Dark
In the middle of the dark night, back at Buckland at the house at Crickhollow, there was a blow to the door, and when no one responded there was another blow to the door and the locked gave way and the door flipped open. Fatty Bolger, who had remained at the house, screamed in fear. The Black Riders announced themselves “in the name of Mordor.” Fatty escaped and ran out to the nearest neighbor.
Back at Bree, Frodo was disturbed in his sleep. At daybreak, Strider roused them and prepared them to leave. The landlord came upon them to announce their ponies had vanished; someone had let them out of the stable. By the time they could round a few ponies up and get others, three hours had passed. Finally they had breakfast and set out on the road.
At a particular point on the road, they broke off and headed north and by a circuitous route in wild country headed for Weathertop. By the third day from Bree they came upon a marsh land, and on the fourth day camped they saw a series of mysterious flashing lights in the distance. On the fifth day they came upon a series of hills with the tallest one being Weathertop.
On the sixth day from Bree they found a path that seemed to lead all the way to the top of Weathertop. Strider told them historical stories about Weathertop and the region, about how Elendil stood at the top waiting for Gil-galad from the west. Then Sam started singing a song about Gil-galad, who was an Elven king, a song Bilbo had taught him when young.
When Strider, Frodo, and Merry got to the top of Weathertop, they found a ring of crumbling, ancient stone-work and signs of a great fire that had once occurred. On some of the flat stones, they found markings that were runes. From the top Frodo let out a cry when in the distance he saw two black riders meeting. They hurried back down to meet with Sam and Pippin.
Strider explained that the Black Riders cannot see in the light, where they use their sense of smell predominantly, but they have other senses which accentuates their ability to sense. Their horses however can see in the daylight, and Frodo’s ring draws the Black Riders as well.
It was extremely cold that night and Strider continued with his tales of Gil-galad and Middle Earth. He chanted a poem of the tale of Beren and Tinúviel and their love and her rescue of Beren. After the poem and with the moon shining, Frodo felt a chill, and when they looked up on top of a hill they could see four Black Riders staring down on them and their camp. In the fear, Frodo slipped on the ring and he could now see there were five Black Riders. Three of them advanced toward him, and he felt a stabbing pain in his left shoulder. Falling down, Frodo caught in his sight Strider with a flaming club repelling the Black Riders. Frodo then slipped the ring off his finger, clutching it in his hand.
###
I don’t really have much to comment on in this section. The one thing that came to mind as I read the Strider chapter was how much that chapter reminded me of a detective novel, something like The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. It reminded me of that one scene where everyone is huddled in a room, each character full of suspicions and a letter comes in that turns the screw of the plot. Here we have the hobbits suspicious of Strider, Barley suspicious of the hobbits, and Strider, hard boiled and detached, controlling the situation similar to a central detective character. Suddenly a letter from Gandalf shows up that alters the stability of the situation and clears up allegiances. Suddenly Merry bursts in the room to inform them all of the outside terror, tightening the tension further. Tolkien superbly plotted the chapter.
###
Here’s an interesting detail mentioned in the “A Knife in the Dark” chapter. On the sixth day from when the companions left Bree, it mentions that the date is the fifth of October. Well, if you remember that the hobbits left the Shire on Frodo’s birthday, which was September 22nd, that would make the hobbit’s journey now two weeks. It feels like it’s been a lot longer, doesn’t it?
###
I just realized
there are a few more interesting details in the “A Knife if the Dark”
chapter. We learn about the nature of
these dark riders. After spotting a
number of the horseman from on top Weathertop, the hobbits ask Strider about
their nature.
‘Can the Riders see?’ asked Merry. ‘I mean, they seem
usually to have used their noses rather than their eyes, smelling for us, if
smelling is the right word, at least in the daylight. But you made us lie down
flat when you saw them down below; and now you talk of being seen, if we move.’
‘I was too careless on the hill-top,’ answered
Strider. ‘I was very anxious to find some sign of Gandalf; but it was a mistake
for three of us to go up and stand there so long. For the black horses can see,
and the Riders can use men and other creatures as spies, as we found at Bree.
They themselves do not see the world of light as we do, but our shapes cast
shadows in their minds, which only the noon sun destroys; and in the dark they
perceive many signs and forms that are hidden from us: then they are most to be
feared. And at all times they smell the blood of living things, desiring and
hating it. Senses, too, there are other than sight or smell. We can feel their
presence – it troubled our hearts, as soon as we came here, and before we saw
them; they feel ours more keenly. Also,’ he added, and his voice sank to a
whisper, ‘the Ring draws them.’
‘Is there no escape then?’ said Frodo, looking round
wildly. ‘If I move I shall be seen and hunted! If I stay, I shall draw them to
me!’
Strider laid his hand on his shoulder. ‘There is still
hope,’ he said. ‘You are not alone. Let us take this wood that is set ready for
the fire as a sign. There is little shelter or defence here, but fire shall
serve for both. Sauron can put fire to his evil uses, as he can all things, but
these Riders do not love it, and fear those who wield it. Fire is our friend in
the wilderness.’
‘Maybe,’ muttered Sam. ‘It is also as good a way of saying “here we are” as I can think of, bar shouting.’
So we learn the Dark Riders cannot see in the light but have some other sense that allows them to perceive in the dark. But while they cannot see in the dark, “shapes cast shadows in their minds.” Hmm, seems to recall Plato’s allegory of the shadows in the cave. I wonder if there is a connection. The Dark Rider’s sense of smell is such that they can “smell the blood of living creatures.” We also learn the riders are deathly afraid of fire, and that the companions need to use it for defense against them. But Frodo’s Ring is what really draws them. To this Frodo is taken aback and has a moment of despair for his safety. It is interesting that when Strider tries to reassure Frodo, he touches Frodo’s shoulder. Is there significance in that touch to the shoulder? I don’t know. Later in the chapter Frodo will be stabbed by one of the Dark Riders in the shoulder.
###
There is still one
more element of “A Knife in the Dark” that I would like to just highlight. One night as the companions have left Bree
now for six days and are making their way eastward, though in jagged
directions, Sam asks Strider to tell them a “tale of the old days.” After Strider recites a poem of Beren and
Tinúviel, he goes into a talk of a history.
Here is the passage.
Strider sighed and paused before he spoke again. ‘That is a song,’ he said, ‘in the mode that is called ann-thennath among the Elves, but is hard to render in our Common Speech, and this is but a rough echo of it. It tells of the meeting of Beren son of Barahir and Lúthien Tinúviel. Beren was a mortal man, but Lúthien was the daughter of Thingol, a King of Elves upon Middle-earth when the world was young; and she was the fairest maiden that has ever been among all the children of this world. As the stars above the mists of the Northern lands was her loveliness, and in her face was a shining light. In those days the Great Enemy, of whom Sauron of Mordor was but a servant, dwelt in Angband in the North, and the Elves of the West coming back to Middle-earth made war upon him to regain the Silmarils which he had stolen; and the fathers of Men aided the Elves. But the Enemy was victorious and Barahir was slain, and Beren escaping through great peril came over the Mountains of Terror into the hidden Kingdom of Thingol in the forest of Neldoreth. There he beheld Lúthien singing and dancing in a glade beside the enchanted river Esgalduin; and he named her Tinúviel, that is Nightingale in the language of old. Many sorrows befell them afterwards, and they were parted long. Tinúviel rescued Beren from the dungeons of Sauron, and together they passed through great dangers, and cast down even the Great Enemy from his throne, and took from his iron crown one of the three Silmarils, brightest of all jewels, to be the bride-price of Lúthien to Thingol her father. Yet at the last Beren was slain by the Wolf that came from the gates of Angband, and he died in the arms of Tinúviel. But she chose mortality, and to die from the world, so that she might follow him; and it is sung that they met again beyond the Sundering Seas, and after a brief time walking alive once more in the green woods, together they passed, long ago, beyond the confines of this world. So it is that Lúthien Tinúviel alone of the Elf-kindred has died indeed and left the world, and they have lost her whom they most loved. But from her the lineage of the Elf-lords of old descended among Men. There live still those of whom Lúthien was the foremother, and it is said that her line shall never fail. Elrond of Rivendell is of that Kin. For of Beren and Lúthien was born Dior Thingol’s heir; and of him Elwing the White whom Eärendil wedded, he that sailed his ship out of the mists of the world into the seas of heaven with the Silmaril upon his brow. And of Eärendil came the Kings of Númenor, that is Westernesse.’
Now that is a long discourse of which we the reader are completely disconnected. At this point in the narrative this is outside our understanding. It is a very elaborate history. I’m not sure how this figures into the novel. Perhaps it will be explained in further exposition. Or this may be the sort of history that Tolkien will write in future books, such as The Silmarillion. What is interesting to me is the question of whether Tolkien had worked this pre-history out before LotR or was it something he filled in as he went along? I get the feeling he generated this history even before he wrote his epic novel.
###
L Comment:
Thank you very much for the summary, Manny, and for
the insightful comments. I particularly like your comparison of the strider
chapter in Bree with a detective novel. Besides being a brilliant analysis, it
helps me to better understand how the comes together.
On the point about the history of Middle Earth, a friend of mine wrote this, which could be relevant: 'What I find fascinating is that way every step you take in Middle Earth connects you to some event or person of the past. The past is all around you, yet it’s also gone. Yet it’s also exerting some influence on the present. There is the God of History at work over the ages.'
My Reply to L:
Oh that is a helpful observation, and yes, I am seeing it as I read. Thanks L.
Frances Comment:
If you go to Gutenberg.com. “On Fairie Stories,” J.R.R. Tolkien, you will find several excellent articles there, including one by Word On Fire’s Holly Ordway. She writes eloquently about the joy one would feel if an especially beautiful fairy story is found to be real, its narrative to be history. Holly Ordway not only came to a new understanding of fairy stories when she studied the Gospels, she discovered the one story where “Legend and history met and fused,” and converted to Catholicism. The Gospels are the Story behind the story of LOTR. I think an understanding of Tolkien’s thought is very helpful when reading it.
Michelle Comment:
Manny wrote: "What is interesting to
me is the question of whether Tolkien had worked this pre-history out before
LotR or was it something he filled in as he went along? I get the feeling he
generated this history even before he wrote his epic novel."
He must have. Even the Elven language was conceived beforehand. What an amazing
intellect he had!
Ellie Reply:
"Manny wrote: "What is
interesting to me is the question of whether Tolkien had worked this
pre-history out before LotR or was it something he filled in as he went along?
I get the feeling he generated this history even before he wrote his epic
novel."
He did, actually! The Silmarillion is his first and also his last book, because
it was finished by his son and published after his death. He created the world,
the characters, and - most importantly, to him - the languages and then fit the
story of The Hobbit and LoTR into the world. I find this so fascinating.
(Last year I had a talk on Tolkien and his work in one of my classes and I'm
glad my notes are finally coming in handy HAHA)
And to comment on what Frances said about the Gospels being the core Story
behind Tolkien's masterpiece, I definitely want to encourage everybody to read
Holly Ordway's book on Tolkien's faith, it's so wonderful and really
informative and useful for our discussions as well! Tolkien once said, as
Frances pointed out: "The Story of the Gospels is supreme; and it is true.
Art has been verified. God is the Lord, of angels, and of men - and of elves.
Legend and history have met and fused."
Frances Reply:
Wonderful, Ellie. I hope you can share your notes with
us. We’re eager learners.
J.R.R. Tolkien had another convert even more
influential than the exceptional Holly Ordway. On their long walks along the
Oxford grounds he became the evangelist to C.S. Lewis: Tolkien, calling
attention to how myths and fairy tales point to an underlying reality — what
life should be; Lewis, countering that beautiful as they are, myths and fairy
tales are ‘’lies, though breathed through silver . . .’’
Then, Tolkien’s brilliant insight: “No, they’re not:
Look at the Gospels.
See what you find there. Heroic self-sacrifice; good
triumphing over evil; love overcoming death: the Gospel story is the underlying
reality to which all other stories point.’’
And so, out of centuries of myths and legends and fairy tales, Tolkien gave us this deathless story.
Kerstin Reply:
Jonathan Pageau held a talk entitled "Fairy Tales
and the Music of the Spheres". In it he also refers to the Gospels as
being the basis of all stories.
Frances Reply to
Kerstin:
Thank you, Kerstin. I'd never heard of Jonathan Pageau before your recommendation. "Fairy Tales and the Music of the Spheres" is beautiful.
Michelle Comment:
I just came across this book (The Theological Landscape of Middle Earth) and thought of this thread.
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