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Merri · 08-26-2002, 11:12 PM

What I got from the book was that Frodo was purely compassionate. For instance, we see how he treats Sam. Of course, Gandalf's words also have a lot to do with how Frodo treats Gollum, but I think a major part of it is the compassion that is already in Frodo. If he weren't compassionate, why would he agree to go on the quest? He could have stayed in the Shire. I think that just the very fact that he went on the quest is a sign of his compassion; he underwent a lot of personal suffering during it, all of which could have been spared by staying home, but he went on because he couldn't bear to have the Shire people come to doom. He sacrificed a lot for others' happiness. Now, I don't know about you, but that's what I call compassion. Of course, another possibility for his agreeing to go on the quest is that he realized if he didn't, then he'd just be in the same boat with everyone else. It's all a matter of opinion, I suppose. But still, I believe it was mainly compassion that drove Frodo to treat Gollum the way he did. If I remember correctly, I don't think Frodo is much of a gullible character.

As for Gollum. I think, in some weird, twisted way, Gollum embodies humanity, and how easy it is for us to fail. Adam and Eve, for instance. In my opinion, whole character of Gollum is basically those two wrapped up in one. The lure of the ring drove him on, and, like Eve, Gollum could never really be happy until he'd had that ring in his hands. Or paws.

Ugh. I always knew I couldn't write coherently at one in the morning.

[ August 27, 2002: Message edited by: Merri ]

08-26-2002, 11:12 PM	#4
Merri Wight Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: The Shire Posts: 221	What I got from the book was that Frodo was purely compassionate. For instance, we see how he treats Sam. Of course, Gandalf's words also have a lot to do with how Frodo treats Gollum, but I think a major part of it is the compassion that is already in Frodo. If he weren't compassionate, why would he agree to go on the quest? He could have stayed in the Shire. I think that just the very fact that he went on the quest is a sign of his compassion; he underwent a lot of personal suffering during it, all of which could have been spared by staying home, but he went on because he couldn't bear to have the Shire people come to doom. He sacrificed a lot for others' happiness. Now, I don't know about you, but that's what I call compassion. Of course, another possibility for his agreeing to go on the quest is that he realized if he didn't, then he'd just be in the same boat with everyone else. It's all a matter of opinion, I suppose. But still, I believe it was mainly compassion that drove Frodo to treat Gollum the way he did. If I remember correctly, I don't think Frodo is much of a gullible character. As for Gollum. I think, in some weird, twisted way, Gollum embodies humanity, and how easy it is for us to fail. Adam and Eve, for instance. In my opinion, whole character of Gollum is basically those two wrapped up in one. The lure of the ring drove him on, and, like Eve, Gollum could never really be happy until he'd had that ring in his hands. Or paws. Ugh. I always knew I couldn't write coherently at one in the morning. [ August 27, 2002: Message edited by: Merri ] __________________ Knowledge is just opinion that you trust enough to act upon. -Children of the Mind, by Orson Scott Card.