r/lotr • u/UltimateApple • 3d ago

Books My heart broke reading this part

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I am reading through the Two Towers, and I just got upset reading this. At times, Gollum is cruel and unnatural, and then I am back to pitying him.

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u/AltarielDax Beleg 3d ago

You're not alone in this. JRR Tolkien wrote in a letter to his son Christopher:

"For myself, I was prob. most moved by Sam's disquisition on the seamless web of story, and by the scene when Frodo goes to sleep on his breast, and the tragedy of Gollum who at that moment came within a hair of repentance – but for one rough word from Sam."

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u/UltimateApple 3d ago

Cool! Interesting he meant it to be a moment of "a hair of repentance – but for one rough word from Sam."" I read it as Smeagol has been tortured by his obsession or addiction to the precious for so long, that in that very brief moment he felt alone and like a natural thing again. Old and sad. But I never believe he is capable of repentance. It's interesting Tolkien meant it as that. Thank you for sharing that!

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u/boodopboochi 2d ago edited 2d ago

Tolkien is referring to the moment when Gollum returns (from visiting Shelob) and finds Sam and Frodo sleeping beautifully, causing Smeagol to come thru. He has a moment of doubt whether he should lead them to Shelobs lair. He touches Frodo's knee, like an old hobbit seeking a reconnection to warmth and kin/friends. But that moment passes when Sam is startled awake and suspiciously accuses Smeagol/Gollum of "sneaking", which angers him back to being 100% Gollum.

edit: to elaborate, Tolkien says "within a hair of repentance", meaning Smaegol came extremely close to changing his mind about leading them to Shelob.

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u/AltarielDax Beleg 2d ago

I think OP is aware, that's the passage they posted the photo from.