"Cliff Notes - the hobbit & the lord of rings" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tolkien J.R.R)

Chapter 1 contains a great deal of information, revealed mostly through dialogue. Frodo learns from Gandalf about the nature of the elves. The elves had at one time lived in the Blessed Realm, which lies beyond the western sea. They now live in both worlds and have power over both the seen and unseen. (Later, Tolkien slips in the information that the elves are immortal.) Gandalf tells Frodo that there is great power in Rivendell to withstand Sauron. He also comments that there is power of another kind in the Shire. Can you guess what that power is? This is an important question to keep in mind as you read the book.

NOTE: TOLKIEN'S CHRISTIANITY Tolkien was a devout Christian, and some people read The Lord of the Rings as a Christian allegory. In chapter 1 you can see why. Frodo learns that the gleaming figure he saw by the ford was Glorfindel, appearing in the form that he assumes "on the other side" (presumably in the unseen world, though perhaps Gandalf is referring to the Blessed Realm). Glorfindel sounds almost like an angel, and in fact, some readers believe that the elves are angels and that the Blessed Realm is heaven. Tolkien, however, strongly denied that his books are allegorical. An example of a work intended as Christian allegory is Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan (1678). In that book the characters journey through an imaginary landscape toward heaven. Their journey is the journey of life, or of faith, and their adventures represent the pitfalls on the way to salvation, such as despair and greed. Tolkien is quoted as having said that he never intended to have his book interpreted in such a manner. However, he admitted that while religion is never mentioned in The Lord of the Rings (in fact, he deliberately deleted references to religion), the principles of his faith are deeply imbedded in the story. Gandalf's statement that Frodo was chosen to bear the Ring hints at the workings of divine providence. Frodo is tempted by evil when he feels compelled to put on the Ring. Be alert to these religious undertones as you read the book.

A great feast is held in Frodo's honor. There, Gandalf, Elrond, and Glorfindel appear as awe-inspiring figures, a change from The Hobbit, where characters are often made fun of. After the feast, Frodo finds Bilbo in a large hall where the elves now gather to sing and talk.

One small event casts a pall on the evening. When Bilbo asks to see the Ring and Frodo shows it to him, it is as if a shadow suddenly falls between the two hobbits. (Note again Tolkien's use of shadow as a symbol for evil.) Frodo sees Bilbo as a wrinkled, grasping creature and feels an urge to hit him. Around them, the singing of the elves falters, and there is sudden silence. Bilbo realizes that the Ring has already affected Frodo's personality.

Strider is also revealed as an awe-inspiring figure, one of the few remaining descendants of a great and ancient race of men, the Numenorea. Strider's true name is Aragorn; to show his new status in the book, he is called by that name, instead of Strider.

Notice the star imagery in chapter 1. In Elrond's eyes is a light like the light of stars. Bilbo twice refers to stars: first in his song about Earendil, who is turned into a star, and at the end of the chapter, when he says he will go to look at the stars of Elbereth. (Elbereth is a being from the Blessed Realm who is believed by the elves to have created the stars.) Aragorn appears to Frodo as having a star shining on his breast. Whereas shadow is a symbol of evil, stars emerge in Tolkien's book as a symbol of a distant, yet enduring good.

A council is held at Rivendell, and all races--dwarves, elves, men, and hobbits--are represented. Ostensibly they have come to bring news and to seek advice. Yet Elrond says that they have been brought here by some higher purpose. The stories they have to tell all relate in some way to the rise of Sauron, as well as to the Ring, which Frodo now carries.

Elrond's story of the Ring encompasses a broad sweep of history, for he has lived through three ages and seen evil rise and fall many times. Next, Boromir, a man from the country of Gondor to the south, tells of Sauron's rise in Mordor. The forces of Gondor are trying to hold back the tide of evil, but they're too weak against Sauron's might.

Aragorn chooses this moment to reveal that he's the heir of Elendil, once king of Gondor, who had been slain in the last battle against Sauron many years ago. He has Elendil's broken sword, and the time has come for that sword to be reforged and for Aragorn to return to Gondor as rightful king.

NOTE: ELEMENTS OF ELITISM IN THE LORD OF THE RINGS The passage where Aragorn describes his life as a Ranger shows the elitism that people see in The Lord of the Rings. Aragorn's words depict an elite few who spend their lives facing danger and discomfort for the sake of the many, who are simple and weak. The Rangers are scorned for their trouble, while the simple folk remain blissfully ignorant of the dangers they are being protected from. Aragorn considers it right that things should be this way. Do you agree with his theory? Is it better for the common people to be kept unaware of the dangers in the world? Do you know of governments and leaders who seem to feel that way?

Gandalf has the worst news of all. His tale is of the treachery of Saruman the White, a wizard like Gandalf, and head of the council that drove Sauron from Mirkwood. Secretly Saruman has for some time desired the Ring for himself, and when he suspects that Gandalf knows where it is, he summons him under the pretext of offering help against the Black Riders and Sauron. But instead he tells Gandalf that they must join forces and use the power of the Ring to rule Middle-earth. While certain evils would have to be tolerated and weaker allies cast aside, Saruman claims it would all serve a higher good. When Gandalf refuses to join him, Saruman imprisons him on the top of a mountain. Gandalf is finally rescued by Gwaihir, the eagle.

The council must now decide what is to be done with the Ring. Boromir suggests they use the Ring's power against Sauron. Elrond explains that whoever used the Ring to defeat Sauron, no matter how noble his purpose, would become just as evil as Sauron, for such is the nature of the Ring. The very desire for the Ring corrupts the heart, as it corrupted Saruman.

NOTE: NATURE OF GOOD AND EVIL In this scene you will find many of Tolkien's ideas about good and evil. Nothing ever starts out evil-even Sauron was good once. Elrond's experience has shown him that evil can never be completely vanquished, for it always reappears in a new form. And even the temporary victories of good over evil are won only at great cost. Yet despite its power, evil has a weakness in that it cannot imagine good--for example, Sauron thinks that all people desire power as he does, and so he does not expect them to destroy the Ring.

The power of good can be seen in the three rings that the elves possess. Elrond said that the elven rings were not made to obtain wealth or dominion over others, but were made to be used for healing, understanding, and creating. This more passive kind of power is an alternative to Sauron's (and Saruman's) desire to control the world. However, the fate of the elven rings is tied up with the fate of the Ruling Ring. If Sauron should regain possession of his Ring, he will be able to control the elven rings. If the Ring is destroyed, Elrond believes that the power of the elven rings will end, and many good and beautiful things will pass from Middle-earth. This is another example of Tolkien's theme that the forces of good achieve victory only at great cost to themselves. It also presents another facet of Tolkien's complex theme of the relationship between good and evil; often evil purpose can unintentionally bring about beneficial results. In this case, the elven rings were forged at Sauron's direction, to win control over elves. Instead the rings have brought about much good and are invaluable in the struggle against him.

Not everyone accepts the fact that the Ring must be destroyed. Some feel that to bring the Ring to Mordor would be an act of despair or folly. But Gandalf says that it's the only possible path. It must be taken even if it seems doomed to failure. Elrond suggests that this quest may be undertaken by the weak as well as the strong, for neither strength nor wisdom will insure success. Here Tolkien stresses his theme of the power of the common man: "Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere." Frodo agrees to take on the task of destroying the Ring, something that until now he had hoped to leave to someone else. Elrond says that he believes Frodo was chosen for this task and that only he can succeed. Yet it's important that he accepts the task of his own free will. With this, Tolkien brings up the last of his major themes, that of free will. While destiny seems to play a hand in the lives of Tolkien's characters, they are free to refuse that destiny, just as Frodo is free to refuse to be Ring-bearer.

Elrond chooses eight companions for Frodo: Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli the dwarf, Legolas the elf, Boromir, Sam, Merry, and Pippin.

Aragorn's broken sword is reforged, and he renames it Anduril. In place of Frodo's broken sword Bilbo offers him his own sword Sting. In this scene between the two hobbits, Tolkien suggests a comparison with legendary heroes, such as King Arthur, who draw a sword from a stone or tree where it has been imbedded for many years. Here, Bilbo thrusts Sting into a beam and Frodo draws it out. The Lord of the Rings has many such allusions, which, while not crucial to an understanding of the story, add richness to Tolkien's work.

The company plans to cross the Misty Mountains through the Redhorn Gate, but a sudden blizzard forces them to turn back. It seems to have been directed against them on purpose, but Gandalf does not believe that Sauron was responsible. Rather, he feels that the mountain itself, hostile toward travelers, sought to stop them. This serves as a reminder, in Tolkien's philosophy, that there are neutral forces at work that serve neither good nor evil.

Gandalf leads the company through the mines of Moria, once the home of dwarves, but now inhabited by orcs (Tolkien called them goblins in The Hobbit) and other evil creatures. Pippin impulsively throws a pebble down a well, angering Gandalf, for it may alert the orcs to their presence in the mines. Later they are attacked by orcs and trolls, and even Sam and Frodo have a chance to prove their courage. For the most part, however, the four hobbits must be protected and herded about like children as the company flees through the mines toward the Great Gate. They reach the bridge of Khazad-dum, which arches over a deep chasm. Beyond the bridge lies the Great Gate. At that moment a Balrog (a terrifying creature from the mines of Moria) appears among their pursuers. Gandalf sends the others forward, and on the bridge itself he turns to meet the Balrog.

In the confrontation you can see how Tolkien uses his imagery of light and shadow, contrasting the light of Gandalf's sword with the vast shadow surrounding the Balrog. Before the Balrog, Gandalf seems small and frail, as good always does before evil in The Lord of the Rings. But appearances can be deceiving, and Gandalf succeeds in breaking the Balrog's sword. As he casts the Balrog into the chasm, the creature's whip wraps around the wizard's leg. The others watch in horror as Gandalf also plunges into the chasm. Then they quickly flee to the Great Gate and out into the safety of the sunlight. There they stop to mourn the loss of Gandalf.

^^^^^^^^^^THE LORD OF THE RINGS: BOOK II, CHAPTERS 6-10

The band enjoys an interlude in the beautiful forest of Lothlorien. They then continue south, where disaster awaits them.

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The company enters the forest of Lothlorien, the home of elves. Boromir has heard rumors that this is a perilous place and doesn't want to enter. But Aragorn and Legolas know of Lothlorien as a place of power that thwarts evil. Like Rivendell, it is a refuge from the darkness in the land. At first the travelers are met with suspicion by the elves. In such dangerous times the elves can trust no strangers.

In Lothlorien (also called Lorien), Frodo feels as though he has entered the world of the Elder days, where the ancient past is still alive. Lothlorien seems to him to be a timeless land that will neither fade nor change. In the wind he hears the sounds of waves and seabirds from the distant past.