LotR -- Book 4 - Chapter 04 - Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

The harshness of the landscape in Chapters 1 to 3, and the enormity of it which the Hobbits must overcome, also serves to underline just how little they are, both physically and metaphorically. They not only struggle with the logistics of getting down cliff faces but they are plunged, effectively alone, into an old and vast landscape, one which is treacherous and full of terror, as seen in the Dead Marshes. Here they are just two Hobbits trying to pick their way across the remains of an ancient battlefield, small and insignificant in comparison to what went before. We know what they carry, and just how important their mission is and therefore how far they really are from being insignificant, but the enormity of the landscape serves to remind us how vulnerable they are.



This passage shows us how at one time, this area must have been populated, that it even had such frivolous things as gardens with water features. Yet just as we are feeling safe and that the Hobbits are in a benevolent part of Middle Earth, Sam finds the Orcs' fire and we are not only reminded of the ever present peril they are in, but we get another reminder of how Sauron's servants have despoiled a beautiful place.

That is exactly what I meant by plot device, Lal. The geographical descriptions are not present simply because they are nice, but to serve a narrative function.

I will, however, take issue with your comments about "such frivolous things as gardens with water features". Of course any social habit or custom can be trivialised and sentimentalised, but gardens from time immemorial have had substantive cultural functions, as have water gardens and water features. One need only consider the traditions of water gardens in Middle eastern culture to recognise the significance of water to the human faculty of sub-creation. The loss of the hanging gardens of Babylon and the cedars of Lebanon stand as important cultural icons about loss. It suggests a lonely remnant of a once highly developed, sophisticated culture now lost.

I'm sure, however, that you could find frivolous garden features at the Chelsea Flower Show!

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Bethberry

I will, however, take issue with your comments about "such frivolous things as gardens with water features". Of course any social habit or custom can be trivialised and sentimentalised, but gardens from time immemorial have had substantive cultural functions, as have water gardens and water features. One need only consider the traditions of water gardens in Middle eastern culture to recognise the significance of water to the human faculty of sub-creation. The loss of the hanging gardens of Babylon and the cedars of Lebanon stand as important cultural icons about loss. It suggests a lonely remnant of a once highly developed, sophisticated culture now lost.

I'm sure, however, that you could find frivolous garden features at the Chelsea Flower Show!

Yes, they are seemingly frivolous things in this day and age - though maybe not such mere trifles as they do create places for wild creatures to live and breed, turning our gardens into welcome space for nature. But I digress...

For a culture to be able to indulge in creating such spaces, it must have the time to do so, which would mean time not devoted to war and defence such as it is at the time of the War of the Ring. So if such gardens are indeed a remnant of lost cultures, then these cultures must have lived in peace to allow them the opportunity to sub-create. This makes it all the more sad that such things have been destroyed, as it is not only the 'thing' itself which has been lost, but the peace which allowed it to be created in the first place.

It's interesting that at this point along the journey, where we see a lost culture, we also have the entrance of Faramir, a cultured man who has been required to live his life out in the 'wilds', in military service. Not only are the products of a fine culture going to seed, but also the finest minds are in danger of being lost.

[Lathriel]

A garden represents peace,healing,and rest. Frodo and Sam find all this in Ithillien. They find peace and for a moment put their worries behind them, they also find rest. Especially Frodo who finally after many days is able to sleep soundly. This whole experience heals them a little and prepares them for the further hardships that are ahead.
Personally I believe that Frodo and Sam might not have made it if they hadn't gone through Ithillien. They really needed Faramir's help.But I think that I'm beginning to run into the next chapter so I'll just keep my thoughts till later.

[HerenIstarion]

On a symbolical plane:

Recurrent term 'garden' in the chapter and the description of Ithilien made curious connection - that is how Eden might have looked like after the Fall - still retaining remnants of its former beauty, yet already poisoned and on the road to decay.

I may be reading to deep into the book, of course.

[Mithalwen]

As long as you don't imply that Faramir is the serpent! Or I may have to avail myself of Fordim's gauntlet. As for Lathiriel - your comments have an extra resonance if you think it will be in Ithilien that the hobbits will start to recover from their ordeal.

[Lathriel]

Mithalwen I hadn't thought that far ahead but it indeed also works for what I'm trying to say.

[Formendacil]

"Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit" is the name of the chapter, but the passage it draws itself from gets the least attention on this thread. Fair enough: Ithilien and Faramir and Mumakil are all new and exciting, while we're four chapters in to the relationship of Sam and Gollum; nonetheless, I think there was some missed opportunity here to look at our trio of travellers. The dialogue over the coneys and taters is an entertaining diversion, but it also represents the high point of trust and camaraderie between Sam and Gollum, when Sam has sort of become used to him and before Gollum thinks himself betrayed at Henneth Annun. Sam's internal thoughts about Gollum's well-being as the battle begins are of a piece with this.

Nonetheless, it's interesting that Tolkien names the chapter for this incident. I don't think there's been much discussion about chapter names, because most are pretty straightforward: "Lothlorien" or "The Council of Elrond" for example. Others are more thematic, but still make sense as the major scene or theme of the chapter, such as "A Conspiracy Unmasked" or "The Taming of Smeagol." To this stage, however, there's no chapter title that's quite as... synechdoche like... as this. Is Tolkien telling us what he thinks the most important part of this chapter is, or did he just think "Ithilien" was too boring a title?

Side-note: "dishevelled dryad loveliness" is one of those beautiful Tolkien phrases that has become a staple of my wordhoard.