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Child of the 7th Age · 06-13-2002, 11:57 AM

Whoa, I am very glad I posted this thread. I initially had some hesitations, but I am amazed at the number of responses coming through in such a short time and, more importantly, the depth of insight shown.

I am also interested that people have genuinely different views on this. Some seem to feel comfortable with maintaining two distinct images, others recommend
somehow blending them, and still others come down firmly on the side of the Frodo as shown in the book.

Helen's suggestion to treat the movie Frodo as fanfiction does have real insight. For years, I have been able to maintain my central view of the characters, while also being willing to experiment with writing fanfiction which puts forward alternative images or to enjoy similarly "adventurous" interpretations from others.

You are right--PJ is as much a fan as I am who just happens to have a few more resources than I do for getting his ideas and images across to a wider audience. Sometimes he hits the mark, and sometimes he falls short.

This idea of treating PJ's Frodo as fanfiction also led me to another realization. One way I might comfortably look at the movie Frodo is to think of him as being about 21 years old, rather than 33. This is when Bilbo first adopted Frodo and brought him from Buckland to the Shire. He is the less secure young man, who has grown up largely "on his own" in the great hall of the Brandybucks (tons of relatives there, but no one special person) and still, I suspect, feels the loss of his parents.

I actually see Bilbo as incredibly important in Frodo's life, teaching him and helping him to mature in his 'tweens, an age which hobbits viewed as being a particularly critical and unpredictable time. In our focus on Frodo's friendship with Sam which is depicted with such insight in LotR, we often lose sight of Tolkien's view that Bilbo was actually the hobbit whom Frodo most longed to be with. To me, the movie Frodo with his fears and immaturities, his lack of spiritual awakening, might be more relevent to the time when he first came to Bilbo and Hobbiton.

Have to run to a friend's birthday lunch. I want to respond with additional ideas, but will do so later.

sharon, the 7th age hobbit

06-13-2002, 11:57 AM	#10
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Whoa, I am very glad I posted this thread. I initially had some hesitations, but I am amazed at the number of responses coming through in such a short time and, more importantly, the depth of insight shown. I am also interested that people have genuinely different views on this. Some seem to feel comfortable with maintaining two distinct images, others recommend somehow blending them, and still others come down firmly on the side of the Frodo as shown in the book. Helen's suggestion to treat the movie Frodo as fanfiction does have real insight. For years, I have been able to maintain my central view of the characters, while also being willing to experiment with writing fanfiction which puts forward alternative images or to enjoy similarly "adventurous" interpretations from others. You are right--PJ is as much a fan as I am who just happens to have a few more resources than I do for getting his ideas and images across to a wider audience. Sometimes he hits the mark, and sometimes he falls short. This idea of treating PJ's Frodo as fanfiction also led me to another realization. One way I might comfortably look at the movie Frodo is to think of him as being about 21 years old, rather than 33. This is when Bilbo first adopted Frodo and brought him from Buckland to the Shire. He is the less secure young man, who has grown up largely "on his own" in the great hall of the Brandybucks (tons of relatives there, but no one special person) and still, I suspect, feels the loss of his parents. I actually see Bilbo as incredibly important in Frodo's life, teaching him and helping him to mature in his 'tweens, an age which hobbits viewed as being a particularly critical and unpredictable time. In our focus on Frodo's friendship with Sam which is depicted with such insight in LotR, we often lose sight of Tolkien's view that Bilbo was actually the hobbit whom Frodo most longed to be with. To me, the movie Frodo with his fears and immaturities, his lack of spiritual awakening, might be more relevent to the time when he first came to Bilbo and Hobbiton. Have to run to a friend's birthday lunch. I want to respond with additional ideas, but will do so later. sharon, the 7th age hobbit __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.