I have nightmares like this chapter. Impossibly steep steps, winding trails going through mountains -- but usually someone's chasing me in those dreams, and at least no one's directly chasing Frodo and Sam here. Still, it's very tense and nail-biting-inducing.
And I'm very sad over the moment where Gollum comes up to the sleeping Frodo and is almost a hobbit-like creature again, quiet and old and pitiable. And then Sam wakes up and speaks less-than-kindly too him and, without knowing it, pretty much sets Gollum's feet irretrievably on the path to doom and giant spiders. Phooey.
Favorite Lines:
Frodo and Sam were plodding along with heavy hearts, no longer able to care greatly about their peril (p. 688).
Possible Discussion Questions:
Can you believe we're only two chapters away from the end of the book? This went a lot faster than I was expecting, to be honest!
Book reviews by a Christian writer/wife/mother
Yes...this chapter is just hard. All the way around.
ReplyDeleteHow are your little people feeling? Better?
I'm glad we get a break soon from all this gloomy stuff.
DeleteThey are so much better, thanks! They just have coughs lingering, that's all. Whew!
I would not want to climb that stair. I am always happy in the book, though, that Frodo does not reject Sam. That part KILLS me in the movie, and it's such a relief not to have to live through that in the book.
ReplyDeleteI love Minas Morgul and how it lights up. Freaky place.
My favorite line in this chapter is one of my favorites in the movie too: "Sneaking," said Gollum, and the green glint did not leave his eyes.
YES! The whole pushing-Sam-away thing in the movie breaks my heart. And makes me want to slap Frodo. Grr.
DeleteMinas Morgul is quite groovy in an evil way :-D
Good line!