E270 Tolkien Chris Barkley

Lord of the RingsFellowship of the Ring

E270 Tolkien Chris Barkley

Lord of the RingsFellowship of the Ring

BOOK 1BOOK 1Will address plot elements / compare to HobbitWill address plot elements / compare to HobbitLOTR 6 books, wait to end to trace overall motifsLOTR 6 books, wait to end to trace overall motifsWill mention so before lecture on bk 6, you try to Will mention so before lecture on bk 6, you try to plot them outplot them out

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Plot Summary

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Plot Summary

Prologue Why? Red Book of WestmarchPrologue Why? Red Book of Westmarch Connects MIDDLEEARTH to our world, gives ending awayConnects MIDDLEEARTH to our world, gives ending away

The Long-Expected Party 1937-1954/55 17 yearsThe Long-Expected Party 1937-1954/55 17 years Shadow history/RING/Gollum Frodo chooses Shadow history/RING/Gollum Frodo chooses Black Riders (and Gildor)Black Riders (and Gildor) The Old Forest like MIRKWOODThe Old Forest like MIRKWOOD Barrow Downs undead worldBarrow Downs undead world Strider variation on disappeare/reappeareStrider variation on disappeare/reappeare Weathertop worse than SMAUGWeathertop worse than SMAUG Flight to the Ford Frodo challenges (inner heroism)Flight to the Ford Frodo challenges (inner heroism)

Black Riders lose mountsBlack Riders lose mounts

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Characters

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Characters

Major CharactersMajor CharactersHobbits: Hobbits: Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry, and PippinBilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin

Gandalf knowledgeable moral anchor pity, judgmentGandalf knowledgeable moral anchor pity, judgment

Strider mysterious, skilled, disappear/reappearStrider mysterious, skilled, disappear/reappear

Minor CharactersMinor CharactersTom Bombadil omitted from film but IMMUNE to RINGTom Bombadil omitted from film but IMMUNE to RING

Barliman Butterbur Bree men/hobbits coalition buildingBarliman Butterbur Bree men/hobbits coalition buildingGlorfindel, Gildor elves save hobbits Fortuitous FateGlorfindel, Gildor elves save hobbits Fortuitous FateFarmer MaggotFarmer Maggot Predistination vs Free WillPredistination vs Free Will

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Monsters

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Monsters

Black Riders nightmare, smelling, fearBlack Riders nightmare, smelling, fear Old Man Willow malevolent not like EntsOld Man Willow malevolent not like Ents Barrow Wights undead motifBarrow Wights undead motif TrollsTrolls reminder of Bilbo after reminder of Bilbo after

WeathertopWeathertop

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1 The RING

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1 The RING

What are Characteristics of the RING?What are Characteristics of the RING? Makes one invisible Becomes addictionMakes one invisible Becomes addiction Puts one in wraith world, unDead worldPuts one in wraith world, unDead world

Frodo sees Glorfindel as white lightFrodo sees Glorfindel as white light Perceived by Black Riders, draws eye of SauronPerceived by Black Riders, draws eye of Sauron

Prolongs life Gollum 500 Bilbo thin and stretchedProlongs life Gollum 500 Bilbo thin and stretched Has a will of its own leaves gollum, BreeHas a will of its own leaves gollum, Bree Has power to overcome will of othersHas power to overcome will of others Impervious to regular fire, Orodruin alone hot enough Impervious to regular fire, Orodruin alone hot enough

Frodo can’t throw into his own fireFrodo can’t throw into his own fire

May speak, discuss laterMay speak, discuss later

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1 Comparison of Characters

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1 Comparison of Characters

BilboBilbo Relied on luck, wits, sharp Relied on luck, wits, sharp

eyeseyes Generous / shares wealth / Generous / shares wealth /

Gives away RingGives away Ring Has some physical Has some physical

prowess (spiders)prowess (spiders) Gathers more and more Gathers more and more

alliesallies

FrodoFrodo Relies on perseverance, Relies on perseverance,

will, humilitywill, humility Acquires Ring through Acquires Ring through

inheritance inheritance Has less physical prowess Has less physical prowess

than Bilbo (feet)than Bilbo (feet) Gathers some allies, but Gathers some allies, but

then must go alone (with then must go alone (with just Sam) AND GOLLUMjust Sam) AND GOLLUM

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Tom Bombadil

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Tom Bombadil

Nature character like Anthropomorphic god, no power over himNature character like Anthropomorphic god, no power over him Immortal like elves yet childlikeImmortal like elves yet childlike

EldestEldest Married to River Woman’s daughterMarried to River Woman’s daughter

Power over Ring / Why?Power over Ring / Why? Exists in both worldsExists in both worlds Does not desire power over othersDoes not desire power over others Unreliable as caretaker of RingUnreliable as caretaker of Ring

Rescues Hobbits, teaches them to call for helpRescues Hobbits, teaches them to call for help Knowledgeable of history, Black Riders, sings storiesKnowledgeable of history, Black Riders, sings stories

Was originally a stuffed doll of Pricilla’s that she wanted her Was originally a stuffed doll of Pricilla’s that she wanted her father to include in his storyfather to include in his story

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Settings

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Settings

The Shire Mathoms, gardening, food, drink, smokeThe Shire Mathoms, gardening, food, drink, smoke Place of birthday parties, comfortable living INNOCENTPlace of birthday parties, comfortable living INNOCENT

The Old ForestThe Old Forest Malevolent place not under control of Sauron DANGEROUSMalevolent place not under control of Sauron DANGEROUS

Bree COMMUNITYBree COMMUNITY Center is the Inn, The Prancing PonyCenter is the Inn, The Prancing Pony Integrated place where hobbits and men live side by sideIntegrated place where hobbits and men live side by side NOT IDYLLIC BUT MULTICULTURAL, INTEGRATEDNOT IDYLLIC BUT MULTICULTURAL, INTEGRATED

The WildThe Wild Natural obstacles: midges, rough terrainNatural obstacles: midges, rough terrain

WeathertopWeathertop Place of advantage in sight but openPlace of advantage in sight but open REMINDER OF NORTHERN KINGDOM / ABANDONEDREMINDER OF NORTHERN KINGDOM / ABANDONED

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Songs

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Songs

SauronSauron Three RingsThree Rings

HobbitsHobbits Travel songs “Road Song” “Upon the Hearth” “Farewell We Call”Travel songs “Road Song” “Upon the Hearth” “Farewell We Call” Food and drink / comforts of homeFood and drink / comforts of home Bath songBath song ur-cow jumped over the moonur-cow jumped over the moon Troll song (Sam) also quotes “Gilgalad”Troll song (Sam) also quotes “Gilgalad”

BombadilBombadil Nonsense rhymesNonsense rhymes storiesstories

ElvesElves ElberethElbereth

AragornAragorn TinuvielTinuviel

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Themes

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Themes

Inheritance BAG END/RING/RESPONSIBILITYInheritance BAG END/RING/RESPONSIBILITY Connection between past and present Connection between past and present

Shadow of the Past TIMEShadow of the Past TIME Road Song SPACERoad Song SPACE

Loyalty Other hobbits to Frodo, Road SongLoyalty Other hobbits to Frodo, Road Song Pity Frodo begins with no pityPity Frodo begins with no pity Seriousness and foolishnessSeriousness and foolishness Trust friends / stranger like StriderTrust friends / stranger like Strider Temptation leave quest for others, abandon friends (Barrow Temptation leave quest for others, abandon friends (Barrow

Downs), put on Ring Road/WeathertopDowns), put on Ring Road/Weathertop Power corrupts Desire for power a weaknessPower corrupts Desire for power a weakness DEATH AND DEATHLESSNESSDEATH AND DEATHLESSNESS

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Parallels

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Parallels

Black Riders and Merry SuspenseBlack Riders and Merry Suspense Old Willow / Barrow Wights caught insideOld Willow / Barrow Wights caught inside Attack on Creekhollow and the Prancing Attack on Creekhollow and the Prancing

Pony KNIFE IN THE DARK (11) Pony KNIFE IN THE DARK (11) Gandalf’s fight with Black Riders and Gandalf’s fight with Black Riders and

Frodo’s confrontation (FEET and Heroic)Frodo’s confrontation (FEET and Heroic) Bilbo’s encounter with Trolls and Frodo’sBilbo’s encounter with Trolls and Frodo’s

Reminder of happy ending, contrast with BilboReminder of happy ending, contrast with Bilbo MORE SERIOUS TONE OF LOTRMORE SERIOUS TONE OF LOTR

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Motifs

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1Motifs

GiftsGifts Bilbo’s gifts to Frodo: Bag End and RingBilbo’s gifts to Frodo: Bag End and Ring Bombadil’s gifts: swords, lives, peace of mindBombadil’s gifts: swords, lives, peace of mind Barliman’s contributions because ponies stolenBarliman’s contributions because ponies stolen

Growing number of Conspirators/supportersGrowing number of Conspirators/supporters ROAD SONGROAD SONG

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1 The Quest

Fellowship of the Ring – Book 1 The Quest

Opposite of regular quest: Quest to destroy Opposite of regular quest: Quest to destroy or lose not find, not militaristic, Frodo to or lose not find, not militaristic, Frodo to sneak into Mordor; not fight—resist evilsneak into Mordor; not fight—resist evil

Nightmare quality of Black Riders: hoarse, Nightmare quality of Black Riders: hoarse, hissing, sniffing (animal-like)hissing, sniffing (animal-like)

Childlike hero, wise old man advisorChildlike hero, wise old man advisor FAIL 1FAIL 1stst TEST LEARN TEST LEARN