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 Gandalf
and His Hobbits
Some of the most telling moments
in Jackson's version of the story are those he spends with the
agony of the Hobbits outside Moria; for these are not the tears
of mere physical pain: these are the tears of tragic loss.
Analysis by Greg Wright
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THE FELLOWSHIP
OF THE RING
MONTHLY FEATURE: APRIL 2002
Gandalf
and His Hobbits
This
page was created on April 10, 2002
This page was last updated on
May 31, 2005
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Gandalf and His Hobbits
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In
April, 2004, this web page was annotated to address errors in
the text. Click on highlighted text to review errata.
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Why
the Shire?
In Tolkien's epic fantasy, one of the most appealing
aspects to the story is Gandalf's affection for Hobbits. In the original
tale of Bilbo and his adventures, Gandalf's presence was not consistent
enough to fully comprehend: who is he really, what are his powers
precisely, and what is he up to? This is largely due to the fact that
The Hobbit was not originally intended by Tolkien as an extension
of his previously concocted fantastic mythology; and so it was not
even clear in Tolkien's mind, as he was writing, who Gandalf was,
or what he was ultimately up to. Certainly, in 1937, Gandalf was not
conceived as the primary foe of Sauron (the Necromancer of The
Hobbit). Of course, fuzziness of Gandalf's character in The
Hobbit can also be attributed to the fact that the tale is really
Bilbo's; and as he had largely completed the tale prior to the War
of the Ring, Bilbo couldn't have known Gandalf for who he
really was.
And that's as Gandalf would have it, too. In The Lord of the Rings,
we find that Gandalf is particularly interested in the innocence and
peculiar resilience of the Shire's diminutive residents. Peter Jackson
has done his audience a favor (and been very true to Tolkien's intent)
in making this special liking for Hobbits evident in the opening sequence
of The Fellowship of the Ring.
Jackson not only invents a wonderful 'reunion' between Frodo and Gandalf,
he even manages to efficiently portray the interesting love/hate relationship
that Hobbits themselves have with the Wizard. Audiences particularly
enjoy the smile that alternates with a scowl on Mr. Proudfoot's face
as the young Hobbits scamper after Gandalf's firecrackers. |
Why
Bilbo, and Why Frodo?
Of course, Gandalf doesn't associate with every Hobbit, much as
he loves them all. Instead, his lengthy association with these distant
cousins of humans focuses on one Hobbit-hole in particular: that
of the famous Dragon-Burglar, Mr. Bilbo Baggins. Their relationship
intensifies at the beginning of the film when Gandalf begins to
suspect that Bilbo's attachment to his ring is perhaps too strong,
and too reminiscent of its previous owner's attachment.
With Bilbo's departure at his own birthday party, Gandalf's attention
turns to Bilbo's nephew, Frodo. At this point, Gandalf's discussions
with Frodo become much more serious, because by now Gandalf has
also ascertained the identity of Bilbo's ring; that is, the
Ring, which Bilbo had possessed, now in Frodo's keeping. And it
is the Ring itself that explains, even to Gandalf, his attraction
for these innocent and resilient folk: only they could keep the
Ring safe from the enemy, while simultaneously keeping it safe
from themselves. The power of the Ring is a seductive evil, and
even the Great (Gandalf, Elrond and Galadriel among them) could
not long resist the temptation to use it. Oddly enough, Hobbits
can. And so Gandalf can see quite clearly that it is Fate, or Providence,
that has placed the Ring in the care of Hobbits; and Hobbits in
his own care.
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Why
Sam, and Merry and Pippin?
Of course, Gandalf has very little choice but to send
Sam along on the quest, after his impertinent eavesdropping outside
Bag End's window. But Gandalf also knows that Sam's loyalty (and
other strengths inherent in his little breed) will serve Frodo in
good stead in the days and weeks to come. And when Providence again
intervenes to provide Frodo with the troublemakers Merry and Pippin
as road companions, Gandalf (and others of the Wise) know enough
not to interfere with the Grand Design when the Fellowship is created.
And just so: both Merry and Pippin will themselves play significant
roles in bringing the War of the Rings to a conclusion.
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Why the Mines of Moria?
When the Fellowship attempts its crossing of Caradhras, it becomes
clear to Gandalf that Providence has other paths in mind; and so
he places the decision in the hands of one whose fate it is to carry
the Burden: Frodo. And so the party chooses the route which Gandalf
fears to tread, the journey under the mountains through the mines
of Moria. Like Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, Gandalf has had
to surrender his own will, and take the path less traveled. And,
as Robert Frost wrote, "it has made all the difference." While pausing
to consider a choice of routes in the mines, Gandalf discusses mercy,
among other things, with his friend Frodo. In condensing several
of Gandalf's speeches in this scene, Peter Jackson does a timely
job of choosing to remind Frodo (and the audience) that it is what
we do with the time allotted to us that counts; and time is limited.
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 Further
Understanding Jackson
Jackson knows what he's doing, of course, because the real heart
and soul of the first installment of the movie trilogy is fast approaching:
Gandalf's fall into Khazad-dûm. So Gandalf's words become not
only significant for Frodo (and the audience), but they become directly
prophetic for Gandalf himself. He knows that the best thing that
can be done for those whom he loves is to sacrifice himself in confrontation
with the Balrog. While some may argue that Gandalf does not himself
view his act as sacrificial, many have observed that Jackson has
chosen to have Gandalf disappear into the abyss in the position
of the crucifix, arms stretched out in the traditional posture of
Christ on the cross. "Greater love has no man than this,"
Jesus said, "than he lay down his life for his friends."
Gandalf and Jackson apparently agree.
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 Again,
it is in Jackson's creative choices that we find clues to his intent.
And some of the most telling moments in Jackson's version of the
story are those he spends with the agony of the Hobbits outside
Moria; for these are not the tears of mere physical pain: these
are the tears of tragic loss. It is to Jackson's credit that he
has not only made the special bond between Gandalf and these Hobbits
credible enough that their tears are both justified and believable,
but that he manages to evoke tears in his audience as well. And
if some find in Gandalf a Christ figure, I doubt that Tolkien (who
despised allegory) would object to a human heart feeling the same
kind of emotion for Gandalf's fall that Christ's followers feel
at the thought of the death of the best Friend that man will ever
have. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend." |
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