The Fellowship of the Ring Revisited

I began this blog December 4 with a post about Tolkein's LOTR, and not long after I began rereading The Fellowship of the Ring for only the third time in my life. The story now seems more engaging, richer, than ever before. It's a pity I've waited so long between readings (1966, 2001, 2007), but you will notice that at least they are becoming more frequent as the years pass.

In chapter 2, "The Shadow of the Past," Gandalf tells Frodo the dark history of the One Great Ring of Power and reveals to him that the Ring must be destroyed and that "you were meant to have it." Frodo protests his inadequacy for the task by asking the why questions: "Why did it come to me? Why was I chosen?"

Gandalf replies, "Such questions cannot be answered." And he tells Frodo not to suppose that it was for his great merit but that since he has, indeed, been chosen for the quest, he must use such virtues as he has. Frodo still resists undertaking the quest and innocently, yet dangerously, tempts Gandalf by saying, "Will you not take the ring?"

Realizing that he could not resist the temptation to wield the evil Ring for good, Gandalf vehemently refuses Frodo's offer and concludes, "The decision lies with you."

Smoking his pipe in silence, Gandalf awaits Frodo's reply. At last Frodo hesitantly decides to undertake the perilous quest although it "would mean exile, a flight from danger into danger drawing it after me." Frodo supposes that he must go alone, but Sam Gamgee, by his eavesdropping on their conversation, inadvertently yet willingly volunteers to go with Frodo. Thus, the Fellowship of the Ring was born and its first three members selected.

These highlights of Chapter 2 are here written to tempt their readers to reread (or read) the chapter, the book, the trilogy for yourselves.