I think it also plays an important narrative role (as does everything Bombadil related) for Frodo, and for us as the readers. We’ve just come out of the Old Forest and being chased by Black Riders, which is utterly terrifying immediately after spending so much amazing time in the Shire, and their final night in Crickhollow. If we do not have something to alleviate the tension of those chapters, we as the readers are going to get so bogged down in this increasingly darker and darker story, and when we do get those supposed breaks (Rivendell, Lothlórien, etc.) they aren’t going to be sufficient. So having this calming dream of beauty from our Ring-Bearer who is going to go forth and be abused and traumatized and wounded over and over and over again, helps is to understand and remember that (as is one of themes) the darkness cannot forever prevail. It is only a passing thing. And I think that’s as important to the story as anything else that you’ve put forward here (all of which I agree with). But it’s also interesting to compare the dreams of each of the hobbits. Anyways, fantastic discussion as always. -T
@mattygroves
6 күн бұрын
It seems important to Tolkien to emphasize that there is a haven outside and above the suffering in Middle Earth. That may be why we get the Bombadil episode so early in the narrative, before we've seen the worst, already showing a state-of-being where the ring is just so much dross.
@David.Bowman.
6 күн бұрын
Steering clear of wild theorising and word games for a moment, perhaps there is a significance in the delivery of the dreams, or more accurately who delivers them. Neither trouble Frodo at the time, as you say, and the first is revealed to have actually been true. But it is not prophetic; as Gandalf’s rescue from Orthanc had already happened by the time Frodo had left the Shire. From the Council of Elrond: ‘I saw you!’ cried Frodo. ‘You were walking backwards and forwards. The moon shone in your hair.’ Gandalf paused astonished and looked at him. ‘It was only a dream… I had quite forgotten it. It came some time ago; after I left the Shire, I think.’ ‘Then it was late in coming’ Nevertheless, it might serve to tell the reader that there is more to such dreams, even if Frodo forgets them. The second dream is prophetic - even if we wait a long time to confirm it. But the difference in the second dream (if indeed it is a dream) is it seems induced by the ‘sweet singing’. Such singing has been displayed before in these chapters and not from Tom: it is Goldberry. So the first dream is ‘Past’ and follows and evening with Tom. The second dream is ‘Future’ and brought on by Goldberry. Quite where I’m going with this I’m not sure lol Maybe that Elvish afterlife or Valinor is a ‘living memory’ or past which is symbolised by the setting Sun ie the ‘West’. Whereas Future is symbolised by the rising Sun ie East. In the wider plot, the East is being used as symbolic of ‘the Enemy’, the great battle. Its symbolism has been hijacked by Sauron as something to be in conflict with. Whereas it should be something to be celebrated as the hopeful Future and regeneration ie Easter, the Resurrection. Death and rebirth work together, just as Bombadil and Goldberry do (and a similar symbolism exists in the marriage of Hades and Persephone)
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