Second Round of Notes on FoTR: A Long-Expected Party
'"You have still got the ring in your pocket," said the wizard.'
Having made up his mind to trust Gandalf, and realizing that he can't trust his own (Ring-influenced although he doesn't know it) hand or mind: '"Well, so I have!" cried Bilbo. "And my will and all the other documents too. You had better take it and deliver it for me. That will be safest."'
This is the subtle first association of 'ring' and 'will', subtle enough to easily miss, for Bilbo means the document called a 'will'; however in fact his will is not free to act without interference from the Ring. Like Frodo after him, he will need help. But unlike Sam, who is never asked to take the Ring (or the unwittingly helpful Gollum, who doesn't need to be asked) Gandalf is asked and doesn't dare accept:
'"No, don't give the ring to me," said Gandalf. "Put it on the mantelpiece. It will be safe enough there, till Frodo comes. I shall wait for him."
Bilbo took out the envelope, but just as he was about to set it by the clock, his hand jerked back, and the packet fell on the floor.'
What is going on here? 'His hand' moved of its own apparent volition. Was it trying, under the Ring's influence, to retain rather than release? Then Bilbo's will to release clashed with the Ring's attachment to him, causing the envelope to fall.
'Before he could pick it up, the wizard stooped and seized it and set it in its place.'
Despite his fear of the Ring attaching to him, he is able to pick up and set down the envelope 'in its place'; having rejected it, he can remain briefly firm against it.
'A spasm of anger passed swiftly over the hobbit's face again. Suddenly it gave way to a look of relief and a laugh. "Well, that's that," he said. "Now I'm off!"'
The Ring's influence leaves Bilbo as quickly as it will leave Frodo at the Cracks of Doom.
Having made up his mind to trust Gandalf, and realizing that he can't trust his own (Ring-influenced although he doesn't know it) hand or mind: '"Well, so I have!" cried Bilbo. "And my will and all the other documents too. You had better take it and deliver it for me. That will be safest."'
This is the subtle first association of 'ring' and 'will', subtle enough to easily miss, for Bilbo means the document called a 'will'; however in fact his will is not free to act without interference from the Ring. Like Frodo after him, he will need help. But unlike Sam, who is never asked to take the Ring (or the unwittingly helpful Gollum, who doesn't need to be asked) Gandalf is asked and doesn't dare accept:
'"No, don't give the ring to me," said Gandalf. "Put it on the mantelpiece. It will be safe enough there, till Frodo comes. I shall wait for him."
Bilbo took out the envelope, but just as he was about to set it by the clock, his hand jerked back, and the packet fell on the floor.'
What is going on here? 'His hand' moved of its own apparent volition. Was it trying, under the Ring's influence, to retain rather than release? Then Bilbo's will to release clashed with the Ring's attachment to him, causing the envelope to fall.
'Before he could pick it up, the wizard stooped and seized it and set it in its place.'
Despite his fear of the Ring attaching to him, he is able to pick up and set down the envelope 'in its place'; having rejected it, he can remain briefly firm against it.
'A spasm of anger passed swiftly over the hobbit's face again. Suddenly it gave way to a look of relief and a laugh. "Well, that's that," he said. "Now I'm off!"'
The Ring's influence leaves Bilbo as quickly as it will leave Frodo at the Cracks of Doom.