August 9, 2002

The Ring and Gollum
Tomas

I've been following the different topics here and I thought that maybe I should send in my thoughts on these matters.

The effect of the ring on Gollum, Bilbo, Frodo and Isildur is something like the addictive effect of some drugs. They just can't live without it.

Bilbo succeeds in ridding himself of this very addictive "drug", but he needs the complete help and assistance of his old friend Gandalf. When Frodo meets Bilbo in Rivendell (in FOTR) you can see his mad desire and have to fight it down, like so many sober alcoholics have to do today.

As for Gollum, he's like one of those alcoholics that's been drinking alcohol forever and is sleeping in the gutter. He's ready to commit murder for one more "drink". He is in truth a wretched, poor creature since he can't control himself. He lives only for the next "drink" and has no life except just that.