Lord of the Rings Discussion Group (The Green Dragon Inn) II

[HairOfTheDog]

Repost – Highlights from chapters 1-5 copied from the original forum to the new one. To reference the full version, click here: Original Green Dragon Inn Within the first five chapters... disregard the reply numbers... they wont work.

Thank you ecurbh, for copying and editing our old thread so that the highlights could be moved here! Highlights of the first five chapters from the old thread are pasted into the first 5 replies here. For those of you who are just joining you… as of this post we are beginning Chapter 6.

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Welcome to The Green Dragon Inn

Approaching The Green Dragon Inn
Hobbiton, in The Shire

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And wither then? I cannot say.
- JRR Tolkien

Politics also goes ever on and on.
This is a place for FReeper Tolkien fans to come and take a break from the impure reality of conservative activism and relax a little with a great story. We (the other co-conspirators and I) would like to study together the writings of Tolkien, beginning together, and discussing as we go through The Lord of the Rings together.

This is a chapter discussion, roughly one chapter per week, with the discussion mostly centered on the books, though of course the movie will be contrasted and compared, and perhaps used to illustrate another interpretation of the story.

Every week, someone from the group (maybe me) will ping The Green Dragon List to the new Chapter, but we will continue this one thread until it becomes too cumbersome…. Let me know if you would like to be on - or off - this list. I will for now serve as the Thain of the list.

If you are joining late, jump right in, but please stick to the chapter currently being discussed.

Some have loved this story a long time, and some are newly discovering it. If you fit either category, we invite you to join in, but we would like this thread to stay mostly focused on the chapter at hand and keep moving, but at a pace everyone can keep up with… No jumping ahead, and no lagging behind! If you have other news to report or wish to discuss something Tolkien in more general terms… May we recommend the equally homey Hobbit Hole where my co-conspirators and I frequently have plenty of good talk.

One other request…. This thread will get long. In recognition that images slow down the thread for many, let’s keep the posting of images to a minimum on this thread. If there is a great illustration you wish to share, let’s try to use links instead of images wherever possible.

So lets read, listen and become inspired by the many aspects of The Lord of the Rings that touch us deeply and reconnect us to the values we aspire to. Many great discussions have already been had, and I hope that this thread will produce even more. Many FReepers have wonderful things to say about LoTR, whether the fantasy reconnects them with their faith, with their relationships with friends and family, or simply illustrates the splendor of great acts of heroism and sacrifice in the constant battle of virtue versus corruption.

Though it is a work of fiction, we believe the inspiration to be gained can only help us in our larger political goals: to appreciate and defend our freedom, our culture and our political ideals. May the fellowship and insight gained from this discussion help us to work through the issues that are the basis for our many shared ideals.

Besides, we Tolkien fans* need something to keep us busy during the next two years of waiting for the next two films. If you do not enjoy this story, then please simply leave us be.

*Also known as Geeky Hobbity Weirdos, obsessive fanatics, you name it, we have heard it and we see these names as compliments. In other words: don’t act like a troll, or we will distract you with our endless babble until the morning sun turns you to stone.

[2Jedismom]

Actually, of the entire departure from Bree, my very favorite part is Bill Ferny:

'Morning, Longshanks!' he said. 'Off early? Found some friends at last?' Strider nodded, but did not answer.

This takes me back to the scene in the inn with Strider.

'But I must admit,' he added with a queer laugh, 'that I hoped you would take to me for my own sake. A hunted man sometimes wearies of distrust and longs for friendship. But there, I believe my looks are against me.'

Knowing Strider and the whole story, this just breaks my heart.

[doubled]

I think it should be noted that amidst the complaining about lack of meals, horrible travel conditions, and rotten accommodations, that when needed the stout hearts of the hobbits are in evidence. For examples, at Weathertop they face the Nazgul with swords drawn and at the fords they charge the Nazgul with torches. Facing the most powerful of the dark lords minions, one would think the soft, small hobbits may cower, but they are starting to show the mettle that Gandalf is the only one to have seen in them.

[Overtaxed]

Sorta makes that whole "If you want him, come and claim him" bit seem silly, doesn't it?

Yes it does! I wish the movie hadn't changed that, especially since they didn't do the barrow downs part. The movie audience never got to see much of Frodo being "made of sterner stuff."

[JenB]

I completely agree with you! (For once). Frodo is far more courageous than the movie showed him; actually you might think, from the film, that he only grows a spine at the very end... ok, that's a little too harsh, but you know what I'm saying!

[Overtaxed]

Actually, of the entire departure from Bree, my very favorite part is Bill Ferny:

'Morning, Longshanks!' he said. 'Off early? Found some friends at last?' Strider nodded, but did not answer.

I like this part:

Sam turned quickly. 'And you, Ferny,' he said, 'put your ugly face out of sight, or it will get hurt.' With a sudden flick, quick as lightning, an apple left his hand and hit Bill square on the nose. He ducked too late, and curses came from behind the hedge. 'Waste of a good apple,' said Sam regretfully, and strode on.

[Overtaxed]

I think it should be noted that amidst the complaining about lack of meals, horrible travel conditions, and rotten accommodations, that when needed the stout hearts of the hobbits are in evidence.

Yes! Our hobbits really come through in a pinch.

[ksen]

Sam turned quickly. 'And you, Ferny,' he said, 'put your ugly face out of sight, or it will get hurt.' With a sudden flick, quick as lightning, an apple left his hand and hit Bill square on the nose. He ducked too late, and curses came from behind the hedge. 'Waste of a good apple,' said Sam regretfully, and strode on.

Heh, heh, you gotta love Sam. ;^)

-Kevin

[doubled]

Sam stared up at the inn with its three storeys and many windows, and felt his heart sink. He had imagined himself meeting giants taller than trees, and other creatures even more terrifying, some time or other in the course of his journey; but at the moment he was finding his first sight of Men and their tall houses quite enough, indeed too much for the dark end of a tiring day.-- from 'The Sign of the Prancing Pony' a previous chapter

am turned quickly. 'And you, Ferny,' he said, 'put your ugly face out of sight, or it will get hurt.' With a sudden flick, quick as lightning, an apple left his hand and hit Bill square on the nose. He ducked too late, and curses came from behind the hedge. 'Waste of a good apple,' said Sam regretfully, and strode on.

It would seem that Sam got over his dread of the big people rather quickly.

[ksen]

It would seem that Sam got over his dread of the big people rather quickly.

I wonder if the proximity of Strider and his sword had anything to do with that? ;^)

-Kevin

[Overtaxed]

To me, Sam seems to be defending Strider in that apple-tossing incident. I was pretty impressed since Sam is so slow to trust him in the first place.

[cantbebought]

I don't know about that, remember Strider's sword is still broken. Besides, Ferny is a coward, he runs away when confronted when the hobbits return to the Shire so I'm sure Sam could take him.

uh-oh, getting ahead of the story again...back to Tooks' corner

[cantbebought]

I think Sam is defending Bill, the pony they just rescued from Ferny.

'....And you, Sammie, don't go ill-treating my poor old pony! Pah!' He spat again.

Then Sam pops him with the apple. This ties in with the prologue's Concerning Hobbits

If any Hobbit stooped for a stone, it was well to get quickly under cover, as all tresspassing beasts knew very well

Bill Ferny must be a slow learner.

[Overtaxed]

LOL Flat learning curve! :)

[JenB]

What a cute graphic! Think you're right about Ferny...

[Overtaxed]

I like these chapters because it's where the hobbits and Strider actually "become friends." It starts with a little doubt on the part of the hobbits:

'Not a "short cut", I hope,' said Pippin. 'Our last short cut through woods nearly ended in disaster.'

But they follow Strider's lead pretty much without complaint. Okay...there were the Neekbreekers in the marsh, but Strider warned them about that. Every time Frodo wakes up during the night, there is Strider alert and keeping watch...even when it isn't his turn.

[As an aside, Frodo is eager to meet Gandalf before they get to Rivendell: "But surely we were hoping to find Gandalf there?" Does anyone else think that Frodo says this because he'd rather rely on his old friend rather than trust someone he's known for only a short while?]

At Weathertop after Frodo's been stabbed:

Strider ordered them to pick him up and lay him near the fire, and then he disappeared. That was now a good while ago.

Sam plainly was beginning to have doubts again about Strider; but while they were talking he returned, appearing suddenly out of the shadows. They started, and Sam drew his sword and stood over Frodo; but Strider knelt down swiftly at his side.

'I am not a Black rider, Sam,' he said gently,'nor in league with them.'

After Weathertop, the hobbits "pull together" with Strider for Frodo's sake:

'What is the matter with my master?' asked Sam in a low voice, looking appealingly at Strider. 'His wound was small, and it is already closed. There's nothing to be seen but a cold white mark on his shoulder.'

'Frodo has been touched by the weapons of the Enemy,' said Strider, 'and there is some poison or evil at work that is beyond my skill to drive out. But do not give up hope, Sam!'

[Sam Cree]

I like the part in the swamps with the biting insects and the "neeker breekers," it reminds me of Florida.

[Sam Cree]

Does anyone else think that Frodo says this because he'd rather rely on his old friend rather than trust someone he's known for only a short while?

I think Frodo had pretty well thrown in his lot with Strider, but still worried that Gandalf hadn't shown and certainly missed his guidance and wisdom. I don't know if he, like Sam, continued to harbor lingering doubts about Strider.

[Overtaxed]

I think that certainly he's worried about Gandalf but also that he would feel better and safer somehow if Gandalf were with him. Maybe it's some subconcious doubt about whether Strider could stand against or evade the Black Riders?

[Sam Cree]

he would feel better and safer somehow if Gandalf were with him

That's sure to be right.

Didn't you think, in the movie, that when they saw the black riders walking below the weathertop that they should have spotted them from farther away? In the book, I got the impression that they first noticed them at a much greater distance. It was a spooky and frightening image, though, of them all walking up.

[Overtaxed]

Yes, I think they should have. Apparently Strider was off scouting in some direction where he couldn't see them and everyone else was either sleeping or cooking/eating (and lighting a signal beacon, for heaven's sake!)

Which "notice event" in the book is it? There's the one in daylight where Merry, Frodo, and Strider see the BR's on the road from the top of Weathertop. In the movie the one time they spot them is at night. Also, in the book I got the impression that they "felt" them before they saw them.