Two Frodos

[Child of the 7th Age]

What evidence is there to support Gandalf's description of the book Frodo as a "perky chap."?

This question was posed several days ago, but no one answered. So I decided to play with it.

First, I found a surprising number of references in the first three hundred pages to the "perky" Frodo. (See itemized list given later in this post.) Taken collectively, these references suggest a character who is very different from PJ's.

Most of these examples have to do with laughter, merriment, joy, delight, and even teasing. This is hardly surprising, given the nature of hobbits. Treebeard, for example, described them as "the Hobbit children, the laughing-folk, the little people." IIl, 244

After those first three hundred pages, indeed after Rivendell, happy examples totally cease. There were only two more examples I could find in the remainder of the book. One occurred as Frodo awoke and laughed on the field of Cormallan after the destruction of the Ring. The other was when Frodo and the hobbits first entered the Shire and the sheriff attempted to arrest them. III, 346. Just two pages later, Frodo fell silent and sad. He would not laugh again for the remainder of the story.

Clearly, a hobbit who does not laugh is one who needs healing of soul and spirit. This is true even in a spiritual context. For when Gandalf returned from seeming death and transformation, he was bubbling over with laughter. It is clear that a Frodo who can not laugh must depart to the West for help.

The other "perky" examples in those 300 pages have to do with spirited bravery and what I call "spunkiness".

Anyways, here is my list.

1. The Birthday Party. At the mention of Frodo's birthday, there are "some loud shouts of Frodo! Frodo! Jolly old Frodo! from the juniors." I, 55 After Bilbo's departure, Frodo has "a good many friends, especially among the younger hobbits." I, 71

2. I, 106 A laughing response by Frodo to his friends when they tease him about how he wasn't carrying a heavy load like Sam: "Be kind to a poor, old hobbit," laughed Frodo. I shall be thin as a willow-wand, I'm sure, when I get to Buckland."

3. When Pippin teases Sam about preparing bathwater, Frodo teases back, stripping off his blanket and rolling him over. I, 109

4. The Meeting with Gildor and the Elves.

Frodo sat eating, drinking, and talking with delight....Now and again, he spoke to those that served him and thanked them in their own tongue. They smiled at him and said laughingly, "Here is a jewel among hobbits!" I, 120

5.I, 137 Frodo's defense of his companions in the Barrow-downs as well as the author's description of him: "Frodo was neither very fat nor very timid; indeed, though he did not know it, Gandalf and Bilbo thought him the best hobbit in the Shire."

6. I, 132, 140 References to Frodo's escapades as a youngster stealing mushrooms and his laughing reponse to Farmer Maggot when he presents him with a pot of mushrooms as he departs.

7. I, 151 Frodo's surprise on discovering that his friends have "conspired" to help him in his quest.

"You are a set of deceitful scoundrels!....But bless you," he laughed, getting up and waving his arms...."If the danger were not so dark, I should dance for joy."

His friends respond "Three cheers for Captain Frodo and company" and danced and sang about him.

8. I, 159 Frodo sings a song to lift the spirits of his friends in the Old Forest.

9. Tom Bombadil's house. The references to laughter are too numerous to mention. In one place, Frodo sings compliments to Goldberry, who had strangely moved his heart. Then he stammered and was embarassed, almost as a child would hve been. I, 173 In his farewell, Tom says to Frodo: "Farewell, Elf-friend, it was a merry meeting." I, 188

10. I, 216 The well-known scene in the Prancing Pony where Frodo sings about the Man in the Moon, has one too many, dances on the table, and tumbles off as the Ring slips on his finger.

ll. I, 263 Frodo's invocation of Elbereth and stabbing of the wraith at Weathertop.

12. I 276 Laughter by Frodo when he discovered the trolls were made of stone--"Frodo felt his spirts revive."

13. I, 297 Several examples of laughter at Rivendell.

My favorite --As Frodo looks in the mirror after getting up from the sick bed:

"Yes, you have seen a thing or two since you last peeped out of a looking-glass" he said to his reflection. "But now for a merry meeting." He stretched out his arm and whistled a tune.

I, 298 On going to the feast......

"I feel like singing myself," laughed Frodo, "Though at the moment, I feel more like eating and drinking."

That is the last bit of laughter I can find till after the destuction of the Ring. Then we have the two lone examples till the end of the book.

sharon the7th age hobbit

[ June 19, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]