September 8, 2003

Sam Pushing Gollum Into the Fire, and Eagles' Taxi
Bob Praz

I have read the comments about Tolkien's former version of the climax of LotR, where Gollum pushes Sam into the Craks of Doom. Frankly, I think the ending that's in the book is better, because it has a great irony in it. It also allows Sam to remain the more merciful character he is (even though we all know he would have loved to do it, it's still doesn't quite fit in with his quality, somehow). Anyway, I for one think the "Gollum falling in by himself" version was best.

As for the eagles as taxi of Middle-Earth, somehow I never thought of it until PJ brought it up in the DVD audio commentary. I must admit there might be no concrete answer to this; at least not that Tolkien ever expressed. But here's one possible answer: let's not forget that the reason Frodo's quest worked is because of its secrecy and Sauron's own folly in believing that the Ring was in Gondor. However, if an Eagle bearing the One Ring was flying straight towards Mount Doom, don't you think its goal would have been very obvious to Sauron? He would have immediately sent out his nine Winged Nazgûl, who would have easily intercepted it and assailed it. The Ring would then have been reclaimed by Sauron. One might argue the eagles fly very high and very fast, but the Eye of Sauron would still perceive it easily, and the Winged Nazgûl were said to be faster than ANYTHING else that travelled the airs, even the wind. Thus by setting out on foot southwards, when Sauron learned of them the fellowship still managed to make him believe the Ring was going to Gondor. I hope that gives you some answers to this question, Elfowitz.