The Fellowship of the Ring Prologue - Chapter 2
Tolkien presents an account of the curious race of hobbits, a miniature species of men. The hobbits are peace and comfort-loving people, who have barely ever witnessed war. They have lived peaceably for several centuries, and have preferred the predictable agricultural life. Hobbits are known for their bare, hairy, and leathery feet as well as their ability to move quietly. They love receiving and giving presents and have a reputation for being brave as well as dauntless. Bilbo Baggins is a prominent Hobbit of the Shire, who went on an adventure with dwarves, 60 years ago. He returned with a trove of treasure, many wondrous tales of adventure, and a magical ring. There is some dispute about the exact manner in which Bilbo procured the ring. Bilbo claimed that he had won the ring in a riddling contest with a cave-dwelling creature named Gollum in the caves below Misty mountain. Gandalf later learned that Bilbo had found the ring, and used its power of invisibility to escape the caves while Gollum had been searching for it.
Bilbo Baggins of Bag End had cultivated an eccentric reputation for himself in the shire, and the shire folk could not help but remark at the old Hobbit’s seeming agelessness. Bilbo continued to retain the vigor of youth despite approaching his 111th birthday. An impressive age for a Hobbit, and he shared this birthday with his orphaned nephew and heir, Frodo, who would reach the Hobbit age of majority at 33. Bilbo put together an extravagant fete for their birthdays, with an extensive guest list that includes the wizard, Gandalf. The wizard learns of Bilbo’s intent to leave the shire for good and entrusts his estate along with the magical ring to Frodo on the eve of his birthday. Bilbo disappears in the middle of his speech with the ring and plans to head out of the shire, but he can’t quite bring himself to leave the ring behind. Gandalf notes the alarming change in the Hobbits' demeanor at the thought of losing the ring, however, Bilbo manages to leave it behind. Gandalf informs Frodo of the ring and cautions him to avoid using it before leaving in a hurry.
Frodo hears nothing about the ring until his 50th year, which is when Gandalf returns with alarming information about the ring. He informs Frodo that the ring in their possession is the One ring, that had been crafted by the dark lord Sauron. It is bound to his dark power and can control the other rings of power. During his ascendance, Sauron used this ring to create Ringwraiths from the nine men who had held the other rings of power. Some rings remained with the Elves and dwarves as well. Sauron had lost the ring during the last war when it had been cut away by Isildur, the son of King Elendil. However, Isildur had been swayed by the power of the ring, and he had kept it for himself instead of destroying it. Isildur then lost the ring in the river Anduin, when he was ambushed by Orcs, the creatures of Sauron. A hobbit-like creature called Deagol retrieved the ring from the river centuries later, but he was murdered by Sméagol, who coveted the ring. Smeagol used the ring for thievery, which eventually made him an outcast. Sméagol retreated into the caves of the misty mountain, where he continued to survive for four long centuries until Bilbo took the ring. At that time, he was twisted into the creature, Gollum. Gandalf believes the ring left Gollum as it saw a way to return to its master through Bilbo.
The ring remained in the shire with Bilbo, who became the first person in history to willingly part with the ring. Gandalf began to research the ring after noting Bilbo’s strange apprehension at leaving it behind. He also tracked down the creature called Gollum with a ranger’s help, Aragorn. He learned that Sauron had captured the creature and tortured him until he revealed the name of Baggins. Frodo and Gandalf agree that the ring needs to leave the shire, since it cannot be destroyed, or entrusted to someone like Gandalf, who could be twisted by the great power of the ring. Samwise Gamgee, Frodo’s gardener overhears the conversation and agrees to aid Frodo in moving out of the shire with some prodding from Gandalf.
Analysis
The book begins with an encyclopedic prologue about the race of Hobbits. The theme of the struggle between good and evil begins being developed in these initial chapters. We learn of the evil men in Tolkien’s world that build towers, raise armies, and wage bloody wars for power, and this is juxtaposed against the peace-loving, pleasant hobbits, who have never truly ever gone to war. Hobbits become the personification of good as they illustrate the means to overcome evil lies in compassion and purity of purpose. Gandalf points out various incidences in the history of the ring’s use that illustrate the goodness of hobbits. He feels great compassion and pity for Gollum, a creature that has been distorted by the ring, but who has yet remained strong enough to keep the ring from returning to its dark lord for several years. Furthermore, Bilbo possessed the ring for nearly 60 years, and yet his last use of the ring was for a prank against his party guests. Bilbo, Frodo, and Gollum all possess strong, pure, and child-like characters that prevent the ring from wreaking havoc through them.
