The Two Towers | J.R.R. Tolkien
"But I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend."
As promised, I'm back with my thoughts on the second installment of the 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. After finishing 'The Fellowship', not having had exactly the best of times, I was a bit apprehensive about the rest of the story. But it was unmerited, as Tolkien really got things going after that. As I said in my previous post, I enjoyed both the following installments better than the first.
Again, this novel is divided into two books: Book III deals with the Fellowship (or the Company as it's actually called in the books) and book IV is concerned with Frodo and Sam and their separate journey toward Mordor. As you probably know if you've watched the movie, Boromir dies, Merry and Pippin are taken by the Uruk-hai of Isengard and what remains of the company goes in search for them. A lot more happens here and I for one was glad for it.
First off, let's deal with the larger group of the broken Fellowship. Knowing that Frodo must go on without their help and that Sam really is the only person who can aid him on the rest of his perilous quest, the Man, the Elf and the Dwarf turn towards the other Hobbits. The chapters are divided between Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli on the one side as they hunt for Orcs and happen upon the riders of Rohan, and some focus on Merry and Pippin's horrendous journey toward Isengard with the Uruk-hai and the Orcs of Mordor. There are adventures with the Ents here as well, in the Fangorn Forest (I've noticed that a lot of people on Goodreads warned that this is the most boring part of the book, but I actually enjoyed it). Gandalf returns as the White Wizard, sent back from the dead to finish his mission. The Hobbits join the Ents in the destruction of Saruman's Orthanc stronghold and the restoration to its natural order. The others ride to Edoras in Rohan, where Gandalf removes Saruman's spell from King Theoden, they banish Grima Wormtongue and fight the battle of Helm's Deep. The Fellowship meets again in he ruins of Isengard and after a parlay with Saruman, a palantir is thrown from the tower. Ever curious, Pippin touches it and sees Sauron. Gandalf takes him away to Gondor, on a mission to prepare the city of Minas Tirith for war.
I once again must single out Merry and Pippin who somehow always move the plot along and even their bumbling leads to big events that change history. Truly and wonderful duo, friends who always worry about each other even when they're competing or mocking the other. Legolas and Gimli are amazing as well, and I loved the scene where Legolas pulled an arrow on Eomer for threatening Gimli. Who'd have thought - an Elf and a Dwarf? Also, their competition over their body count starts at the battle of Helm's Deep, a friendly rivalry that adds some much needed levity to grim scenes of war. There is also an agreement that, once it's all over - and if it goes in their favor, they would travel together and visit the caves on Helm's Deep and the depths of the Fangorn Forest. Truly the best of friends.
"Maybe we shall cleave a road, or make such an end as will be worth a song - if any be left to sing of us hereafter."
And also, there's Eowyn, Eomer's sister and King Theoden's niece, a shieldmaiden of Rohan who longs for freedom and the chance to fight for the people she loves. Her only fear is living in a cage. I truly loved her and she's the embodiment of a strong woman, not just the modern "strong female character". She is loyal to her uncle and to her people and it pains her to watch others fight and die while she tends the home and waits for news of glory or doom. She is attracted to Aragorn as soon as she meets him but he, thankfully, does not really entertain her fancy. He realizes that her affection is nothing but "a shadow and a thought", that in him she just sees the glory she wishes she could have. His heart is already taken. (Arwen is not in this book, though she wasn't in the first one either; the story of these two is relegated to an appendix as Tolkien felt it wouldn't fit the main narrative because it's told from the Hobbits' perspective. I love that the movie included more of her and Aragorn because I find it the central story of the whole tale.)
The other part of the novel deals with Frodo and Sam's journey to Mordor. On their way they pick up Gollum who is to be their guide. Sam is really suspicious of him and has no love for the wretched creature. Frodo, though, trusts him to guide them to where they need to go, something his companion is completely baffled by. These three pass through depressing terrains, jagged rocks, terrible swamps where dead people float - and among it all there is worry over food and drink. As they're headed toward the pass near Cirith Ungol (once Minas Ithil but now taken over by the Nazgul) they see sourtherners coming up toward Mordor, as Sauron is gathering his armies. There they meet Faramir, from whom they learn that his brother Boromir is dead and that his body floated down Anduin some days ago. A wise and gentle man, Faramir guesses what his brother had done but has no wish to take Frodo's burden for himself, being a much better and stronger man than his older sibling. The Hobbits move on with Gollum and pass the accursed Cirith Ungol where they see the Nagzul leaving with an army and realize something is brewing. Gollum betrays them and leads them to Shelob's lair, a giant demon spider. Sam finds Frodo apparently lifeless on the floor, but discovers that he's only stunned when Orcs take his body away.
"Strange are the turns of fortune! Often does hatred hurt itself!"
There are things happening here. Sure, Tolkien still gives detailed explanations but here it feels like they're actually enriching the story, not just painting a still picture. Even Frodo and Sam do things, or things happen to them. It's not all thinking and moaning. Though Frodo does a lot of that, I try to be understanding of his fatigue and complaining. He is carrying a heavy burden, a darkness that attracts the enemy and all the time tries to ensnare him into its evil web. Honestly, if he were left to his own devices and there was no Sam to cheer him on, to make sure he eats and rests, he would never have gotten anywhere near Mordor. Still, there is resolve in Frodo, despite knowing nothing of what happened to his companions after the Orc attack. He believes them all to be dead but is still determined to do the task he was given to the best of his ability, even though on many occasions he feels like he's already failed and the ending is inevitable. He often wishes for Gandalf''s or Aragorn's advice, though now he must trust his own instincts.
I did have more compassion for Frodo the closer he got to the wasteland of Mordor. I was also touched with the way both Hobbits trudged on even though at one point, while talking about the rationing of food for the roundabout trip, they realized that they would never come back. Getting to Mount Doom was perilous and impossible enough, getting back was beyond comprehension. And still, Sam and Frodo went on to fulfill their task and try to save all those who, knowingly or unknowingly, depended on them.
And that's it. Another book done. I was really looking forward to the final installment after finishing this one. Thigs were finally falling into place, the end could be felt. Every page I turned filled me with anticipation, even though I knew the plot because of the films. I mostly enjoyed all the new characters from Rohan and Gondor, all of whom I loved. Well, apart from Wormtongue; his name should really tell you all one needs to know. As the story progresses, more and more characters are introduced, the tension is ever more palpable and stakes higher and higher... I can't wait to talk to you about the last book.
"It is difficult with these evil folk to know when they are in league, and when they are cheating one another."
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