The middle book of Tolkien's trilogy. Following the broken fellowship and learning about how the evil is spreading across the land. But in the midst of evil, each group finds others who are trustworthy and willing to fight evil. That is encouraging and hopeful .. that in this world where darkness sometimes seems to be winning .. there are Treebeards and Eomers and Smeagols and Faramirs, along with the 'main characters' who will stand together against the enemy. People who know what they are fighting for and are willing to stay in the fight regardless of what may happen.
Smeagol/Gollum is a character who portrays much truth. He was a good, rather regular hobbit, but when the ring found him he became more evil, more selfish, more fearful. Early on, Frodo learns the truth from Gandalf and wishes that Bilbo had killed Gollum when he had the chance. In the now famous quote, Gandalf says "Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends." (p65) Frodo takes this to heart and learns to have compassion for Smeagol who has become his worst self because of the ring. This trust perhaps brings out more of Smeagol instead of just Gollum .. amazing how trusting someone can change their whole self-perception, character, personality. Taken to an extreme in this case but the idea still seems to ring true. And by trusting Smeagol, Sam and Frodo are able to make it closer to Sauron's land much faster than they would have made it on their own. Even the worst people have good left inside of them, since we are all made in the image of a good Creator .. at least I think I believe that.
| Title: | The Two Towers |
|---|---|
| Author: | J.R.R. Tolkien |
| Date published: | 1954 |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Series: | The Lord of the Rings |
| Number of pages: | 398 |
| Notes: | Finally read these! |
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