I fear that PJ has failed or : "The Gollum situation" - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

mark12_30 · 11-26-2003, 09:29 AM

Tolkien said in one of his letters that he was deeply saddened by Sam's rough intervention when Smeagol came so close to truly repenting when he came on Frodo and Sam asleep. "Nothing, nothing.... nice master." Sam snaps suspiciously at him; and the moment is gone forever.<P>Tolkien stated that that moment was genuine. It was a long shot, but Smeagol was redeemable-- and remember, that was on his RETURN from bargaining with Shelob.<P>Seeing Smeagol as utterly despiccable is to miss the awakening that Frodo himself went through. "It's a pity that Bilbo didn't stab him when he had a chance." "Pity? It was pity that stayed his hand." <P>"For now that I see him, I do pity him."<P>For the professor's fascinating perspective on Smeagol's redeemability, see Tolkien's letters. He discusses this in depth.

11-26-2003, 09:29 AM	#6
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Tolkien said in one of his letters that he was deeply saddened by Sam's rough intervention when Smeagol came so close to truly repenting when he came on Frodo and Sam asleep. "Nothing, nothing.... nice master." Sam snaps suspiciously at him; and the moment is gone forever.<P>Tolkien stated that that moment was genuine. It was a long shot, but Smeagol was redeemable-- and remember, that was on his RETURN from bargaining with Shelob.<P>Seeing Smeagol as utterly despiccable is to miss the awakening that Frodo himself went through. "It's a pity that Bilbo didn't stab him when he had a chance." "Pity? It was pity that stayed his hand." <P>"For now that I see him, I do pity him."<P>For the professor's fascinating perspective on Smeagol's redeemability, see Tolkien's letters. He discusses this in depth. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.