Interestingly enough, the other method of passing the Ring on is repeated as well--it's a birthday present. Gollum seized it as one, and not only did Bilbo tell a story similar to Gollum's to Gandalf and the Dwarves, he gave it to Frodo on his birthday--simultaneously a birthday present for both of them. Obviously, it had to be given freely or taken by violence, but I'm not sure what the repition of the birthday is all about. However, if I were to go into Heavy-Handed Critic Mode (watch out, it could happen at any moment), I would point out the difference between Gollum's expectation of recieving gifts on his birthday (used as an excuse to take what he wanted) and the usual hobbitish practice of giving gifts on one's birthday, as Bilbo did. This certainly says something about Gollum's mentality, and his deviance from normal hobbitness, doesn't it?
Evisse--Yes, and a good point. I believe this came up in a very good Frodo thread a month or so ago, which I can probably find for you if you like...but, nahhh, let's have another discussion of it here. People may well say different things.
--Belin Ibaimendi
(It's my birthday soon. Can you tell?)
[ July 27, 2002: Message edited by: Belin ]
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"I hate dignity," cried Scraps, kicking a pebble high in the air and then trying to catch it as it fell. "Half the fools and all the wise folks are dignified, and I'm neither the one nor the other." --L. Frank Baum
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