The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Frodo's initial delay in leaving the Shire: What does it mean?

Ravenna · 08-21-2002, 02:43 PM

This needs some deep thinking.

Off the top of my head, I would say that, whereas Bilbo was rushed into his departure, by Gandalf, and the fact that the dwarves were already on their way out of the Shire, Frodo, had to first of all disguise the fact that he was leaving the Shire altogether, so as not to leave too broad a trail for any enemies to follow.

I also think that he was reluctant from the first to undertake this task, he tries to evade it by offering the ring to Gandalf.
Frodo is unlike Bilbo, he does consider carefully everything he does, he doesn't crave adventure, or renown, in the way that Bilbo, at least in his youth, had a tendency to do. Witness his reluctance to tell the Council of Elrond the tale of his journey to Rivendell, compared with Bilbo's story, which had to be halted by Elrond.

Tolkien does seem to place much significance on the fact that things always seem to happen on bithday's. Possibly this is intended to reinforce the idea that Bilbo and Frodo were 'meant' to do what they did.
Plus, we have to remember that Frodo had no idea that things had become so urgent in midsummer, due to Butterburr's forgetfulness, so as he had already said he would wait for Gandalf until his birthday, that is exactly what he did, he was also unaware at that time that anyone except Sam knew what he intended, and so felt rather more safe than he should have.

A last thought, the way Frodo behaved strikes me as more typically hobbitlike than Bilbo's behaviour. Hobbits like an easy life, unpleasant realities are therefore probably shunted to one side as long as is possible, before being dealt with. I have no proof of this, it's just an impression I have of Hobbit types.

08-21-2002, 02:43 PM	#4
Ravenna Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: witney, oxfordshire Posts: 70	This needs some deep thinking. Off the top of my head, I would say that, whereas Bilbo was rushed into his departure, by Gandalf, and the fact that the dwarves were already on their way out of the Shire, Frodo, had to first of all disguise the fact that he was leaving the Shire altogether, so as not to leave too broad a trail for any enemies to follow. I also think that he was reluctant from the first to undertake this task, he tries to evade it by offering the ring to Gandalf. Frodo is unlike Bilbo, he does consider carefully everything he does, he doesn't crave adventure, or renown, in the way that Bilbo, at least in his youth, had a tendency to do. Witness his reluctance to tell the Council of Elrond the tale of his journey to Rivendell, compared with Bilbo's story, which had to be halted by Elrond. Tolkien does seem to place much significance on the fact that things always seem to happen on bithday's. Possibly this is intended to reinforce the idea that Bilbo and Frodo were 'meant' to do what they did. Plus, we have to remember that Frodo had no idea that things had become so urgent in midsummer, due to Butterburr's forgetfulness, so as he had already said he would wait for Gandalf until his birthday, that is exactly what he did, he was also unaware at that time that anyone except Sam knew what he intended, and so felt rather more safe than he should have. A last thought, the way Frodo behaved strikes me as more typically hobbitlike than Bilbo's behaviour. Hobbits like an easy life, unpleasant realities are therefore probably shunted to one side as long as is possible, before being dealt with. I have no proof of this, it's just an impression I have of Hobbit types.