July 20, 2002

Book Spoiler/Fools
Jon L.

Annatar, interesting observation about who is the fool, Galdalf or Sauron? You could argue that Galdalf was being a 'Fool for Christ', i.e., believing in a successful outcome against all odds and human logic due to his faith in a higher power. Or you could argue that this was one of the few Deus ex machinas in the LOTR. Gollum conveniently falling into the cracks of doom is caused by, what? Gravity? His own clumsiness? His fixation on the ring to the point where his normally attuned senses aren't focusing on his surroundings? The first would be God's doing. The second dumb (un)luck. The third would be an accident caused by greed. It could be argued that Gollum should have immediately killed Sam and high tailed it out of there. Instead, he hangs around gloating, completely oblivious to his surroundings. He trips (literally) at the last moment of his quest. Evil's fatal flaw is that it always underestimates its opponents, even when its opponents are natural phenomenon, and drops its guard too soon. Interestingly, Gandalf gives the same warning to Aragorn when he is contemplating using the stone of Orthanc. I like the idea that all of these factors work together into a grand design where both good and evil bring about an ultimately good result. Gandalf is very upset when he learns that Gollum has escaped from the wood elves, but not at all upset when he learns that Gollum has taken up with Frodo and Sam. He even anticipates it. Strange, because both events eventually play into the destruction of the ring. This brings up another biblical passage: All things work together for the good…"

Nine and a half ringwraiths? I suppose they could call Frodo, "Mini me."

Jon Loux.