Approaching The Green Dragon Inn
Hobbiton, in The Shire
Posted on 02/15/2002 7:01:31 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
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.
When we are ready to move on, 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 and take up bandwidth, 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 guard 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.
Bagshot Row was a complex of three modest hobbit-holes in the Hill just below Bag End. Bag End itself was not part of Bagshot Row. So there were two other families, but as to who they were, "history" does not relate.
The tragic thing about the first part of this story is not recognized until later. The idyllic world that is about to be left behind, with no hope of return. And Frodo was perfectly cast. He represents that innocence and simple joy so well… “The visual equivalent to the Vienna Boy’s Choir” is at least the most artistic description I have heard of Elijah Woods’ performance. Great! I will check in at sunup!
Okay, thanks!
I kept saying "Don't take it Frodo! Just leave it on the mantel, walk away from Bag End and go straight to Crickhollow." But then Lobeliea would end up with the ring, wouldn't she, and Middle Earth would be in a world of hurt.
At Overtaxed's suggestion that Frodo should just leave the Ring (and let Lobelia have it) I near spit out my Dr Pepper all over the keyboard. Lobelia the Ringwraith... why do I think she'd have the Nazgul running from her in terror?
Eowyn would have to wait in line then.
Wouldn't it be funny if Gandalf came back 17 years later and learned that he had to deal with Lobelia having the ring? Would he be P.O'ed at Frodo! :)
The mental picture of Lobelia chasing the Captain of the Nazgul and bopping him over the head with an umbrella makes me laugh. If I could draw worth a darn I'd try putting that picture on paper.
Lobelia: And let your buddy Frodo get Bag End back? I don't think so! Besides, everyone knows you and Elrond are in cahoots. The Ring is mine!
Gandalf: Sauron will send his Nazgul...
Lobelia: Oh, they showed up last week. I've got two of them out in the back garden weeding - those lazy Gamgees can find another job - and a couple more of them are helping Lotho consolidate his hold on Southfarthing Pipeweed Inc. Now, will you leave quietly or do I need to have my new butler, Saruman, show you the door?
When discussing events beyond the currently discussed chapter, can the poster please use the "spoiler" designation????? Someone did above and it was sooooooo helpful because I was able to quickly scroll past it. I am reading the Two Towers now--WOW!!!
Thanks!!
LOL...
I liked your point above about the limited government. I noticed that, too when I read it. My thought was...ohhhhh for the Shire!
Well, I'm off! I've GOT to clean my house before going to see the movie this afternoon--again ;-)
We have in our midst many who have long-studied the deeper histories of Middle earth that are hinted at in the Shadow of the Past, and their Tolkien Encyclopedia brains contain all of the background that Gandalf skims over his typical habit of not explaining anything a hobbit might not understand… I look forward to JenB presenting us with her summary of the “second age” that led up to all this, information contained in the history Silmarillian which I have never had the patience to read in full. My heart has always drawn me to the simpler things.
I think I have my notes in order, and I certainly hope I have not forgotten to add someone to the ping list… Ask me again if you were missed and showed up anyway!
Fellowship of the Ring
CHAPTER II
The Shadow of the Past
Excerpts from our second chapter to get us going….
The talk did not die down in nine or even ninety days….…“If only that dratted wizard will leave young Frodo alone, perhaps he’ll settle down and grow some hobbit-sense,” they said. And to all appearance the wizard did leave Frodo alone, and he did settle down, but the growth of hobbit-sense was not very noticeable. Indeed, he at once began to carry on Bilbo’s reputation for oddity…
…He lived alone, as Bilbo had done; but he had a good many friends, especially among the younger hobbits (mostly descendents of the Old Took) who had as children been fond of Bilbo and often in and out of Bag End…. His closest friends were Peregrin Took (usually called Pippin), and Merry Brandybuck (his real name was Meriadoc, but that was seldom remembered). Frodo went tramping all over the Shire with them; but more often he wandered by himself, and to the amazement of sensible folk he was sometimes seen far from home walking in the hills and woods under the starlight. Merry and Pippin suspected that he visited the Elves at times, as Bilbo had done…
…As time went on, people began to notice that Frodo also showed signs of good ‘preservation’: outwardly he retained the appearance of a robust and energetic hobbit just out of his tweens. “Some folk have all the luck,” they said; but it was not until Frodo approached the usually more sober age of fifty that they began to think it queer.
Frodo himself, after the first shock, found that being his own master and the Mr. Baggins of Bag End was rather pleasant. For some years he was quite happy and did not worry much about the future. But half unknown to himself the regret that he had not gone with Bilbo was steadily growing. He found himself wondering at times, especially in the autumn, about the wild lands, and strange visions of mountains that he had never seen came into his dreams. He began to say to himself: “Perhaps I shall cross the River myself one day.” To which the other half of his mind always replied: “Not yet”…
OK – Good Morning!!!
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