"Lord of the Rings" Read Along! "A Shortcut to Mushrooms" through "The Old Forest"

Book I Chapters 4-6

I know we are going to take a very long road, into darkness; but I know I can’t turn back... I have something to do before the end and it lies ahead, not in the Shire. I must see it through.

Chapter 4: A Shortcut To Mushrooms

Summary

The three companions wake to find no sign of the Elves other than food and drink left for them for breakfast. Frodo mulls over the riddles given by Gildor and decides not to take the road to the Ferry, choosing instead to cut through the woods in hopes of not being seen that way.

After some time struggling through the dense undergrowth they look back through a small clearing at where they left the road. There they see a Black Rider standing next to his horse looking down the bank just where they left the road. Concerned, Frodo urges them to push on.

After some journeying through the forest and with the help of the Elves clear drink they soon find their worries gone and they are laughing and singing. The happy mood is sharply killed by a long wail and what seems to be an answer from further away. They don’t say it but they all are thinking of the Riders.

Upon reaching the end of the forest they find they have stumbled in Farmer Maggot’s fields, much to Frodo's dismay since he is terrified of the Farmer and his Dogs. But Farmer Maggot is friendly and invites them in to tell them queer news. This is the second time he’s heard the name Baggins today. The first was when a Man cloaked in black road up his lane asking about a Baggins. The rider offered Maggot gold in return for information but the stout farmer sent him off. The news is not what Frodo would have liked to hear but his heart is lifted when Maggot offers to give them a ride in his cart to the ferry. At the entrance to the ferry lane they hear the sound of hooves coming up the road. Luckily it is just Merry who was worried about their delay and come looking for them.

Discussion Points

Do the reactions of the hobbits to the elves allow us to get to know them better?
Frodo is terrified of the dogs and farmer Maggot almost as much as the Black Riders. This bit of information isn’t necessary to advance the plot and doesn’t provide much background on Frodo (other than learning his was a bit of a hooligan). Why might Tolkien have decided to add that?
Which do you think was the better route? The road or the “shortcut”?
What kind of dogs does Farmer Maggot have that would be big enough to take on a Man and horse?

Chapter 5: A Conspiracy Unmasked

Summary
Frodo and his companions cross the river in Buckland and it appears they have narrowly missed another encounter with a Black Rider. Nonetheless they arrive at Frodo’s new home without any more trouble. Frodo is reminded much of his home in Bag End and soon laughing and joking over baths and mushrooms.
After dinner Pippin tells the story of their journey to Merry and Fatty. Frodo decides he must tell them what he plans but Merry jumps in and tells some of that tale for him, much to Frodo’s surprise. Frodo learns that the conspirators know much of his plan to leave the Shire and that they have all decided to go with him. Frodo decides they must leave his home at first light, but not by the road. They decide to cut through the Old Forest. Fatty reveals that he is staying behind, to watch for Gandalf and keep up the ruse the Frodo is still there.

Discussion Points

Farmer Maggot is more than he seems according to Merry. He was very close with his guess that these Black Riders are here about Bilbo’s treasure. What do you think of Farmer Maggot? Does he know more than he lets on, or just a good guesser?
If Merry knew what was going on and of the Ring is it possible others in the Shire knew as well? Who else might have known?
Is the addition of more companions going to hinder or help Frodo on his journey?
What could be in the Old Forest that frightens Fatty so much? Merry also says during the day the trees are sleepy and quiet. What could that mean?
Frodo has an interesting dream. He dreams of the Sea (which he has never been to) and a white tower. Any thoughts on this? Why might Tolkien include a description of his dream? What could the dream be about/mean?

Chapter 6: The Old Forest

Summary

Frodo is woken before dawn to get ready to start his journey. After breakfast they set out for the Hedge and the Old Forest. The forest does seem ominous and Merry mentions how the trees are said to be able to move, changing paths and once even “attacking” the Hedge.

Merry gets them lost rather quickly but just as quickly get his bearing again. From a hill top they get a view of the forest and plan the direction they would like to go. Unfortunately the forest seems to have others plans. The forest seems to bar their way North forcing them towards the river Withywindle.

On the banks of the river they are overpowered by a sudden sleepiness and forced to rest. Sam is the only one who doesn’t like the large willow, he wanders away to fetch the ponies and comes back to find Frodo throw in the river and Merry and Pippin trapped in the roots of the tree. They can’t pull the tree roots apart and fire only causes the tree to get angry. Despairing Frodo runs for help and by chance happens to run into a strange fellow calling him Tom Bombadil.

Tom easily gets the willow to release the trapped hobbits and invites them to stay at his home. As they are reaching the point of exhaustion they reach Tom’s house and are greeted with singing and golden light.

Discussion Points

This is the first chapter where the Hobbits are in a place entirely unknown to them (unless you count Merry’s short wanderings). They are outside the Shire for the first time and again threatened by perils, those these somewhat unexpected. General thoughts/questions?
Do the rumors about the Old Forest seem true? Or does their fear trick their minds?
Trees that can move and talk? We certainly aren’t in the Shire anymore. Why would “Old Man Willow” or the forest in general want to harm the travelers? Could it have something to do with the Ring or these particular travelers, or is the forest simply annoyed people are there.
The trees seem to be able to communicate and work together to bar the hobbits way. How might they do this?
How are the trees are so "alive"? Surely they can't all be the Hurons we'll see later. Old Man Willow seems to even be quick with his movements (if that’s a word that can describe a tree).
Could the Hobbits have gone any other way? (Another way through the forest or not into the forest at all)?
Was it just chance the Tom came down the path just as they needed him?
Song is very big in this chapter. The tree apparently sings the hobbits to sleep and they are rescued by Tom’s song as well. How can a song do this? (Magic is a tricky thing in Middle-earth).
We meet the famous Tom Bombadil. What are your thoughts on him so far? I’ll leave the debate for who/what he is until the next chapter after we see much more of him.

I know there was some complaint about how many points I provided but in the Unfinished Tales read along I didn't really provide any and there was almost no response. So for that I will start providing points as well. For both though I will try not to have things that have explicit answers, at least not ones easily found in LotR ;)

Of course don't limit yourself to just these topics I provided, feel free to discuss whatever you want. Also, please try to mark major spoilers since there are some people who haven't read the book yet.

Next week will include chapters 7, 8, and 9.

[Spoiler](/s "write spoiler-text inside quotes")

Don't forget Unfinished Tales is Thursday as well!

Link to all previous discussions.

Posted Feb 2, 2014, 3:23 PM UTC · edited

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