in what chapter does the life of gollum get described in the lord of the rings

He was in fact the likely source of the version of this chapter which contains the truth. Frodo, the subcreator, knew the true story of Riddles in the Dark years before Bilbo left for Rivendell. Nor would it explain how Frodo the narrator can narrate for us the fleeting moment that he did not see and that no one could have told him of. Even the final words of the chapter, as they set out with Gollum as their guide, do not augur well: “Over all the leagues of waste before the gates of Mordor there was a black silence.” (4.i.619) Sméagol may have been tamed, but Gollum has not.īut that would not be enough for Tolkien, who writes under the pretense that not he, but Frodo is the author. His immediate attempt to escape, followed by more fawning wretchedness, only strengthens the impression that Frodo’s pity is dangerous.

And if we are not already as alarmed by this as Sam is, we need only see the flicker of “cunning and eagerness” in Gollum’s eyes as he agrees to help them (4.i.615). Neither Frodo nor Sam are fooled by this transformation, but to Sam’s staring, scowling amazement Frodo pities Gollum and shows him mercy (4.i.615). But, with Sting at his throat, Gollum instantly becomes a groveling, lugubrious, wretch, sadly wronged by the “nice little hobbitses” to whom he of course meant no harm (4.i.614-615). There we first hear him venting his murderous hatred for “the thieves, the thieves, the filthy little thieves” who stole his Precious (4.i.613).

There we first see him coming down a sheer cliff face “like a nasty crawling spider on a wall” ( TT 4.i.612). All of this sets the stage for our first clear look at Gollum in The Taming of Sméagol.

In what chapter does the life of gollum get described in the lord of the rings