At last we got to one of my favorite chapters in Fellowship: where the Hobbits meet
Strider. He’s one of those amazing characters that starts in shadow (literally)
and emerges, bit by bit, into the full light. I love how we get to know him so
slowly, along with the Hobbits, and trust him more and more the further along
the journey we go. I wrote an essay once, published in a small literary
magazine, about unlikely literary heroes – and I featured Strider front and
center.
“All that is gold does
not glitter, not all those who wander are lost.” It’s one of my favorite
lines of Tolkien’s poetry, and it speaks volumes about Strider’s character. He
doesn’t have a very glamorous exterior, but he’s pure gold inside, and he may
seem to “wander” (hence the reputation of the “Rangers”) but he wanders to real
purpose. Among other things we learn about him early on is the fact that he has
sometimes stood guard over the Shire in Gandalf’s absence.
Ah, Gandalf! Trusting that letter to Butterbur! The old inn
keeper at the Prancing Pony means well, but he’s easily distracted, and in this
case his distraction and forgetfulness almost proves fatal to Frodo and
friends. Having the letter from Gandalf, even though it’s too late for its
original purpose (to get Frodo to leave the Shire in summer, not fall) does at
least cement Frodo’s hesitant urge to trust Strider. Sam remains dubious, but
he and Strider will come to love and trust each other as time passes.
I remember watching Fellowship in the theater with Mom and what an impression Strider made on her when he first showed up. I love his shadowy presence and the way he gradually forms a strong bond with the hobbits, particularly Frodo. I too love the rhyme you cited, particularly "not all those who wander are lost." First impressions really don't do for folks like Strider, and the strongest friendships can blossom when people are allowed to reveal themselves to each other gradually.
ReplyDeleteIf I recall I was pretty stressed out about how long it was taking Gandalf to show up when Dad read me Lord of the Rings. They really do need direction, and just hoping to find a friend wherever they land next who can act as a guide is an increasingly frustrating plan as the terrain gets rougher and more unfamiliar. Having someone to lead them at the point in the journey is essential.
Yes! I had almost forgotten how long Gandalf is off-scene -- I got fidgety myself this time around, even knowing where he is and that he can't help the delay! Having them meet Strider when they do provides a sigh of relief for the reader. It also sets us up to learn more about Strider in the coming chapters and to be able to trust him as a leader when Gandalf once again painfully exits.
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