[Tar-Palantir]

Thanks for the (predictable) response Frodo. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

Let me tell you something here. Gollum was NOT repented during that scene, maybe he was thinking about it, maybe he was just feeling sad over the choices he has made. But that is the extent of it. If anyone but Frodo had had the Ring their life would have been forfeit at the slimy hands of a mental patient. Had he been TRULY willing to give up his debauchery then the lengths he would have needed to go to were right there at his feet and he did not choose them. The boat had already left the docks, his indecision cost him big-time. And his decision to lead them to Shelob was an 11th hour move to wrest back his disgusting "precious" that is hard to justify. May I reiterate - 'About to' does not mean 'has' or 'is'.

Realting his problem to a drug problem: Do you know any practicing addicts? I do.
1. There is nearly always remorse for their actions or for things they left behind. (As evidenced in Gollum's last moments with Frodo. But remorse alone is not enough.)
2. No one person can get them sober OR cause them to keep using. (Frodo in this case can not assuming full responsibility, and neither can Sam, it is Gollum's responsibility.)
3. Even if they get sober the risk is high they will use again. (This one's obvious, you said yourself that Ringbearers never get over it 100%, I would add that is especially true for one placed as precariously as Gollum is.)
4. They have an uncanny knack for biting the hand that feeds them. (Just ask Frodo the nine-fingered, or Aragorn, or Sam who also got bitten. And those are just literal examples.)
5. Cannot tell friend from foe, everybody seems as a foe. (This is how an addict hurts everybody around them. Their actions become more and more self-centered and everyone else becomes a meal ticket, and everyone else becomes 'responsible' for their plight, "poor little me" "poor Smeagol" "why me"? usually followed by "why not that guy instead?" That dog don't hunt, it's their responsibility).

It's about more than just Gollum though, what about the others that were tempted or succumbed? How do you see it all tying together with Gollum? We have discussed the Drug/Addict scenario pretty thouroughly, maybe somwone has some other brainstorms?

Demonic possession anybody? Bill? [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
We could cross check all examples of corruption with those of the Nazgûl, maybe get some insight that way? [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ February 25, 2003: Message edited by: Tar-Palantir ]