Redemption and Villainy in Middle-earth: Tolkien's 'Trembling Moment'

[@chrisrubin6445]

damn, Gollum stealing the ring from Frodo, and then thinking super hard, and then yeeting himself into a volcano, is one of the funniest images ive ever imagined, thank you for this!

[@thinkfirstt]

The Gollum internal dialogue is such a beautiful and heartbreaking scene, but it feels like it is a recognition that even tho he wishes it differently somehow, he has already crossed the rubicon.

[@MichaelWilliams-bw6he]

“The die is cast.”

[@Happyheretic2308]

@@MichaelWilliams-bw6healea iacta est

[@therealpatagonianpancakes]

To illustrate how important Gollum's failed redemption was to Tolkien, according to Cristopher, the manuscript of that scene had tear stains on it.

[@GirlNextGondor]

You know, there's some facts that, once you know them, there's a part of you that's just... in horrible pain, for the rest of your mortal days. I think this is one of those. So... thanks? 🤣🤣😭

[@larrykuenning5754]

Can you cite where this is, about the tear stains? I've just spent a while looking for it in HoMe 8 and not finding it. Would like to see it in Christopher's own words.

[@michael14195]

@@GirlNextGondor On perhaps a cheerier note, I've watched too many reaction videos to the movie version. One of the most memorable comments was someone writing that his small daughter, watching the movie for the first time and seeing Gandalf and three eagles approaching the unconscious Frodo and Sam, said "Look! Gandalf brought an eagle for Gollum!" I think that would make the Professor smile.

[@therealpatagonianpancakes]

@@larrykuenning5754 apparently this isn't all true. Tolkien himself mentioned in letter 241 having "blotted the pages with tears" when writing about Sam and Frodo in the field of Cormallen. According to letters 72 and 91, it was C. S. Lewis who cried to the Gollum scene. Finally, in a recount of Tolkien's visit to Holland, it says he himself admits to weeping when writing the scene. Carl Hostetter might have mentioned the manuscript part too, but can't find much about it. So, to recount: Tolkien admited to being moved by many scenes; he admits to crying to one of them and staining the pages of it in a letter; he admits to Jack crying to the scene in question in another letter; he admits to crying to the scene in question in a piblic event, and if Holstetter actually talked about it, it might explain why I had confused him with Christopher in the first place.

[@larrykuenning5754]

@@therealpatagonianpancakes: Thanks for the Letters reference. Looking up 72 and 91, it looks to me that what moved Lewis to tears was "the last chapter" of Book IV, i.e. "The Choices of Master Samwise" which is later than the scene where Gollum nearly repents.

[@EriktheRed2023]

It seems to me that Tolkien found a way to use his love of ancient things lost, and turn it into the skill he sought to write his characters. These moments of near-redemptions are 'the beautiful', lost as surely as those who have perished to time. Glimpsed imperfectly, desired, and thought over.

[@GirlNextGondor]

That is a really neat take I hadn't considered. The idea that a missed opportunity is a sort of 'unexplored vista' of what could have been... coupled with the idea that to repent would mean *going back* to some version of what these corrupted figures used to be in a past that now *seems* impossibly distant - which is something else the text emphasizes at every opportunity 😆

[@eubalenaglacialis]

This video really echoes with my person experience, there was someone I loved deep but failed to turn her trajectory towards a dark path. You make me want to reread TLOR again after so many years. Thank you

[@hipsterhunter4eva901]

This is probably my favorite video on the channel

[@johnwilbur3050]

There was an extra eagle for Gollum

[@reflectiverambling1148]

Speaking on choices, what of the choice of forgiveness? It just makes me think that, say in the case of Manwë, he was said to be 'fooled' and released Melkor because he could not comprehend lies, but there is also consequence of choosing "right" when others do not do the same, etc...nor a point just a thought that popped up listening to this the first time around. What stuck with me the most after all this time was that it really made me think about Sam and how we just brush off his abbrassive attitude towards gollum because we see gullom not smeagol and can't fault his devotion to Frodo. But it also is remarkable to me that Tolkien devised this character who is so 'pure' but still has teh capacity to be cruel/hate which shows that nothing is without his shadow and how even those that are on the whole 'good' can still behave/make ill choices. Sometimes what determines how others, history, or even future choices, is really as much a matter of circumstance/time....

[@jpbjoel]

This is, quickly, my favorite of your videos. My sadness at Gollum’s losing his last chance at repentance was in me from my first reading as an early teen, and from that, it disturbed me to see “hero Sam” being (or being used) as a tool to challenge him…

[@GirlNextGondor]

Something I didn't find a good place for, but think is *really* important to challenging the tired 'Middle-earth was meant to be a world of simplistic black-and-white morality' narrative, is a quote by Tolkien saying that Sam, an overall 'good' person who was mainly motivated by compassion, loyalty, and protectiveness, ended up doing something bad, and that he included this in part because it "seemed to me to be most like real life." Sam really is doing the best he can - which is pretty darn good! - but because he's not perfect (nor is anyone around him), he sometimes ends up causing harm anyway. That's haunting.

[@mrbigglezworth42]

@@anni.68 Except Sam had every right to mistrust Gollum, as did most people who came upon him. You have to remember, he was banished from the Shire for murder, and had been known by that point as a vile thing hiding in the dark places in the world. You don't just trust a scorpion not to sting you, just because it says it won't.

[@SNWWRNNG]

@@mrbigglezworth42 Sure, but Frodo also had every right to mistrust Gollum, and Bilbo had a reason to kill Gollum. But they didn't, out of pity. Trying to help someone who's trustworthy is mere opportunism, true virtuous pity comes only when you help those that "don't deserve it". Frodo also had a right to refuse the Ring, but he took the more noble path.

[@MoritzGruber7]

@@mrbigglezworth42 I don't see the comment that this replies to... but while Sam had indeed every right to mistrust Gollum, there are things which he, understandable and minor as they are, didn't have an actual right to: like 1. dropping off to sleep at his watch; or like 2. voicing his mistrust to Gollum in an unfriendly manner which Gollum at least could construct as namecalling. Of course, to avoid (2), one has to be on guard and watch what you say, otherwise it's natural enough; so, you *ought* to be on guard. And Sam normally *would* have; but he was, alas alas alas, at this decisive moment, momentarily caught off-guard as it were. Why? Because he had failed at (1) and was angry at himself about it.

[@hognelarsenrhme1703]

Simply the best Tolkien-tuber. Greater insight and reflections than I see anywhere else

[@GirlNextGondor]

I appreciate that 🥰 though any particular insight is, I'm afraid,. mostly due to the unconscionable amounts of time I spend Thinking About Elves when I should be, for instance, filing my taxes....

[@hognelarsenrhme1703]

@@GirlNextGondor Once you go full time (dunno if you already are) it will all be worth it, and so, so deserved

[@MrARock001]

I feel like Tolkein is inviting us to imagine, in moments of our own lives when we quaver on the edge of decision, struggling to do what is right, what if the whole fate of the world were silently and patiently hanging in the balance. We could never know which of our decisions could ultimately lead to the world's salvation, or not.

[@TheMarcHicks]

Maybe I'm childish, but the Patron who goes by the name of Elu Thickgol always gets a chuckle out of me!

[@GirlNextGondor]

Every time I have to read out his name I have to (affectionately) roll my eyes 😅

[@annafdd]

@@GirlNextGondor I realised that I never can increase my tier because Eru knows I don’t want you to have to pronounce mine!

[@annafdd]

Because I am demonstrably obsessed with villainous ginger meow-meows, I will point out that Maedhros’s throwing himself and the Silmaril into the fires of the Earth is a similar self-sacrifice. Nobody is going to commit more kinslaying for *his* Silmaril, that’s for sure. Including him.

[@simonmorris4226]

I’d never thought about it before but that is one hell of a parallel. I wonder if Tolkien planned it or it was a coincidence.

[@AnimeSunglasses]

@@simonmorris4226 Tolkien is hardly more immune than any other writer from the answer being "both"...

[@Limubi1]

The breadth of this analysis is, well, breathtaking. Thank you

[@OtherWorldExplorers]

Hearing these things makes me think that I need to reflect upon myself very deeply. Not only am I entertained by your channel I think I'm actually getting a bit of personal growth.

[@GirlNextGondor]

I... think I'm happy to hear that, but reluctant to take responsibility for it? Maybe you're just growing on your own 😉 and I just happen to be nearby? On the other hand, I frequently find that "researching a cool fun topic that will boost muh algorithms!" quickly turns into "I must personally strive to live a more decent and courageous life, lest I let (insert character) down" (the video on Creativity and Evil was one of those). So maybe it's just the subject matter that's edifying us both....

[@ishmaelforester9825]

'Sneaking! sneaking! Hobbits always so polite, yes. O nice Hobbits! Smeagol brings them up secret ways that nobody else could find. Tired he is...'

[@chazfromtheburg]

You are touching on themes that make Tolkien's work such a treasure for those who take the time to discover them. These themes transcend generations and cultures, which is why Tolkien is so beloved all over the world by so many. Brilliant analysis, as usual. Well done!

[@Valdagast]

If Gollum's betrayal is necessary for the destruction of the Ring, did Sam save Middle Earth by stopping Gollum's redemption?

[@larrykuenning5754]

See Tolkien's own speculation (in Letter #246) quoted at 23:55, about how the Quest might have been achieved anyway.

[@GirlNextGondor]

There's an even more agonizing corollary here: by stopping Gollum's redemption, did Sam make it so that Frodo had to leave Middle-earth (and him) because after Gollum's betrayal he believed himself to be similarly irredeemable?

[@wolfsbanealphas617]

@@GirlNextGondor I feel it’s one of those things only eru knows

[@AndyCandyZeroSugar]

@@GirlNextGondor Personally I believe that Frodo was 'doomed' to leave as soon as he was stabbed in the dell at Weathertop. At least, that sealed his fate and from there there was no return. Though I wonder what could've been, had he returned to the Shire and someone else accomplished destroying the Ring, so that he didn't have to carry it for so long, towards the heart of darkness, it's power constantly growing. At the point where he's stabbed he has already been safeguarding the Ring, whose power slowly waxed over the years, even if he did not use it. It still 'preserved' him, as it did Bilbo. I wonder what could've been, but in the end it just makes me sadder. The ending always makes me shed a tear. Of all the members of the Fellowship, Frodo in my eyes deserved most a calm, peaceful life. At least in Valinor he was granted that, and that is a comforting thought. Still, it's always a sorrowful to realise that Frodo gave up a happy life in his beloved Shire for others. This will always make him the greatest, most tragic heroic figure of the story.

[@Tyler_W]

I don't think that's true. I don't think it really reflects his Christian worldview. The idea that God "predestines" people to condemnation is mostly, to my knowledge, only a thing in the few Calvinist denominations of Prorestantism (Presbyterians, Reformed, and some Baptists) and not reflective of Tolkien's own Catholic tradition that values the importance of free will. Important to the understanding of Providence is that although God does not ordain that people commit evil in order that his greater purposes be accomplished , like Gollum failing to he redeemed, thus destroying the Ring, God's Providence works in such a way that his will can be accomplished without violating people's freedom to make their own choices for good or evil. The evil people do can be turned around and used to accomplish good, even though it would've been preferable for them to make the right choices in the first place. Gollum's failure, then, may have resulted in Sauron's defeat, but his redemption wouldn't have inherently prevented Sauron's defeat. If anything, it could have still happened regardless. The only thing Gollum's choices changed in the grand scheme of things was the amount of suffering Frodo, Sam, and Gollum himself had to endure to get to the finish line, but it was providential eucatastrophe that secured the ultimate victory.

[@bigsarge2085]

Always learn something new!

[@Enerdhil]

I feel the same way. Lexi does all the hard work so we can be couch potatoes and enjoy her videos while getting an education in Tolkienology. 😁

[@Glorfindel_117]

Didn't realize I clicked on this within a minute of posting. Now my comment will be late. XD Thanks for the upload! I hadn't thought about how Sams remarks were the reason Gollum remained evil...

[@GirlNextGondor]

It's a pretty painful moment. He's trying to protect Frodo from Gollum and ends up triggering the opposite effect. To make matters worse he *does* eventually take pity on Gollum, but only after he's had to carry the Ring himself for a while 🤔

[@frct6273]

I like the way you put things.

[@peternouwen]

What a lovely video! But one small statement made me think… there is at least one character that really achieved redemption: Galadriel. She literally says: “I pass the test.” That was her moment at the moral event horizon, and she turns. When I read that for the first time, I still feel the same elation and relief of her character-growth. This was the clearest moment of redemption for a character. I would think there are more in the book.

[@themightypen1530]

I found this channel last month. I have been a life long fan of Tolkien and I can say that this channel provides the most interesting and in depth analysis by far. I absolutely love it. Thank you so much!

[@GirlNextGondor]

Appreciate that tremendously. So glad you're enjoying it! 🥰

[@JerryBanks572]

@@GirlNextGondor Gobsmacked and humbled is my reaction. I had just written a short paragraph on the nature of Bombadil and was feeling quite pleased with myself. But this stuff may be over my head. :) Thank you for giving me something to puzzle over.

[@TheLadyVictory]

THIS WAS SO GOOD.

[@GirlNextGondor]

❤️ 💙 💜 💖 💗 💘 ❤️

[@mondoleon1471]

sméagol is my favorite character ever .. i see myself in him .. i got into lotr late maybe not even a year ago i fell hard for the franchise because of him .. its a very compelling performance i find my myself understanding and in deep sympathy for why he betrayed froto

[@NunyaBesnas]

You’ve quickly become my favorite Tolkien KZbinr.

[@katsomeday1]

Gollum's moment of almost redemption always made me sad.

[@hewe4625]

And the Huge-revelation-that-never-occurred-to-me-and-Girl-Next-Gondor-mentions-only-in-passing goes to... The Eucatastrophe of Gollum's death had its impetus in his oath on the ring. 😱

[@GirlNextGondor]

I forget where I first ran into this idea, it's been formulated in a few different ways across the internet - but I do remember it kind of blowing my mind that I hadn't connected the oath to Gollum's death before. There's even debate on whether Frodo had a role in 'cursing' Gollum too - long before they reach Mount Doom Frodo promises that if Gollum were to attack him, he would use the Ring to command him to throw himself off a precipice or into the fire, and then on the slopes of the mountain Frodo makes good on that by telling Gollum if he touches Frodo again he shall be consumed in the "Fires of Doom."

[@Feesh322]

Tolkien knew that most of us reject repentance, as well...one of the reasons that the story feels real sometimes. I imagine when it's us that it's just as tragic in hindsight, as well.

[@dabestestgoblin8495]

The perfect video after a long day. Thanks!

[@richardrobertson1886]

Always great video essays. Glad to be among the first to watch

[@GirlNextGondor]

Appreciate it! ❤️

[@richardrobertson1886]

@@GirlNextGondor you have different takes than other Tolkien channels. You do far more than just history - you’re far more thoughtful. You seem to be an intellectual heir of sorts. Keep up the fabulous work.

[@jaytucker7873]

Awesome video! I'm gonna have to smack that like button like Gollum smacking the lava in Mt. Doom!

[@GirlNextGondor]

Ooof, that's a hard smack 😅

[@Enerdhil]

Ouch!🔥🌋

[@shanenolan5625]

Thanks lexi. Beautiful building. ( Dome) lighting.

[@GirlNextGondor]

That's a newly posted one from Jonathan Guzi! I loved it 😍 always a pleasure to see more evil Numenorean temple scenes and/Sauron calling down divine wrath.

[@shanenolan5625]

@@GirlNextGondor it's wonderful

[@Danaluni59]

Excellent elucidation!

[@Hero_Of_Old]

You and The Red Book have the best Tolkien content!! I thought I was knowledgable, but I'm getting deeper and deeper into the legendarium with each video. Its like peeling back layers of an onion, like 'truth' I guess. You understand things on a deeper level more and more each time.

[@CWebbTheMaster1234]

This video offers a new perspective on the characters and their stories that I have yet to see. This is a great video. Awesome work.

[@Outrider74]

Tolkien’s Christianity, specifically his Catholicism, is probably what was most influential in these moments. The author Flannery O’Connor, who was also Catholic, uses moments like this as well in her works. Good video.

[@skzombierain7536]

What a pleasure to find your channel - your not just re-capping, but presenting some solid literary analysis.

[@jacobsedlack1173]

On the one hand you feel bad knowing that Gollum would die regardless of how the Quest of the Ring ended since his longevity is tied to the Ring itself and no matter how it's destroyed he cannot live without it in the literal sense. On the other hand Gandalf does explicitly say that Gollum wandered the lands looking for the Ring drinking blood and killing infants.

[@GirlNextGondor]

The possibilities for horror spin-offs in the late 3rd Age are infinite. I can see the posters now: "Slinker: He's Coming For Your Kids!"

[@Laucron]

Hey, a mans gotta eat

[@kevinrussell1144]

But Gollum (the real Geek), who is at least man-adjacent (he speaks Westron, for Eru's sake) is thus a cannibal. He's not the best choice to invite as entertainment at a kid's birthday party. Slinker the Ravenous Stinker......Yikes!@@Laucron

[@joefish6091]

@@kevinrussell1144 He eats 'squeakers' under the Goblin kingdom. hes a child killer. " Only a few hours ago he had worn it, and caught a small goblin-imp. How it squeaked!" "when we twisted that nassty young squeaker. "

[@celtofcanaanesurix2245]

That cover art of gollum makes me see how he could be very scary

[@sainiharika]

Aid from providences ♥️♥️♥️ honestly respect to this video n you Lexi ♥️♥️♥️

[@arisps17]

Gollum's character and story is a masterpiece in storytelling.

[@bgcvetan]

What about Ossë ? Much like Frodo, in his time of need there's someone else there to pull him out of the edge. There's also the theme of being alone and loneliness that combines with the pursuit of power for power's sake.

[@annafdd]

Boromir does achieve redemption - and as Tolkien would put it, death is his reward.

[@Enerdhil]

Death is indeed the Gift of Eru to Boromir.

[@jimsteele9559]

“GirlNextGondor” Funny. Love it. Good analysis too! Do you have one on Bombadil and Goldberry? I’ll check it out.

[@GirlNextGondor]

Thanks! I've made passing references to TB and Goldberry but not one dedicated to them exclusively... not yet, that is!

[@Kuudere-Kun]

The Dagor Dagorath Prophecy says that in the end even Feanor will be redeemed. Which given how emphasis there is on him rejecting it during his mortal life, sounds like evidence Tolkien might have considered Universal Salvation. The idea was popular among some of his 19th Century influences like George MacDonald, F.D. Maurice and Charles Kingsley. And there's precedent for Universalist Catholic theologians as well.

[@muffdrvr]

I love your take on things, keep it going ❤

[@jeffsnyder7290]

At the heart of these character's villainy was pride and arrogance. While they could change their behavior at certain points they could never really repent and achieve redemption. The humility of our heroes is what saved Middle Earth.

[@GirlNextGondor]

Tolkien definitely seems to have subscribed to the theory that pride is at the heart of all moral failing.

[@wheel6243]

@@GirlNextGondor Agreed. Just found this channel today and it is excellent. Another poster mentioned Galadriel finally passing her test. "She was proud, strong, and self-willed" but when faced with the ultimate temptation she refused it. "I passed the test. I will diminish...and go into the West...and remain Galadriel."

[@waltonsmith7210]

Denethor is like a man who begs for damnation and jumps into symbolic Hellfire.

[@Enerdhil]

That is why pride is the worst sin of all.

[@ForlornFea]

Another impressively thoughtful video. There’s something uniquely cathartic about having information that is mostly known to you connected in this way by your video essays. I always come away from your work not only better grasping Tolkien’s world, but also feeling more in touch with the themes of his work and my feelings about them. Your videos are simultaneously comforting and intellectually and imaginatively challenging/fulfilling.

[@Amakusa9000]

First I really like your channel, it is very well done. So I will keep tuning in. I have an observation on the character of Denethor, and wonder what you think of it. I recall that Aragorn had served Denethor's father and that Denethor was jealous of him. Later as Steward using the Palantir, he would have recognized Aragorn and realized his lineage. To his mind, if Sauron is overthrown he is no long Steward because of Aragorn. But if Sauron wins, he is still overthrown and no longer steward. Either way, he is no longer steward. Could it be that it is this realization that his existence--which to him is to be steward no matter what--is over either way which leads to his hopelessness and suicide? It is a "what the heck" situation that you lose no matter what, so why try? In my life I have seen people in a no win situation just quit--a marriage, a job, a sports team, whatever--and Denethor strikes me as such a character. Anyway, keep up the great work here.

[@HairTiesForGlorfindel]

YOU ARE BACK! YAY! 🎉🎉 (I'll comment on the video after i finish watching it)

[@TolkienLorePodcast]

Great exploration of a fascinating theme!

[@Enerdhil]

Great!

[@GirlNextGondor]

💖

[@apollion888]

This is my first exposure to Tolkien analysis, loved every minute

[@MonsterDeluxe]

This was great! For once someone analyzing the THEMES and not just picking over letters and passages for glimses of more lore and history. Subscribed!

[@docopoper]

I always love coming away from your videos with moral lessons to apply to my own life.

[@squashedeyeball]

Your videos always have the effects of a cast of Heal

[@GirlNextGondor]

Always a pleasure to see you in the comments section, squashie! There's a point of tension I'll have to get into later, exemplified by Sam vs Saruman or Wormtongue (or even Sauron): in the one case, a person who means well overall ends up causing harm (which Tolkien called something like 'good doing evil unaware' and said he thought it was a common phenomenon in real life.) In the other case, the opportunism and self-centeredness of evil characters ends up harming *them* more than it does anyone else, often because they assume everyone else is as corrupt as they themselves are. So on the one hand, we have good doing evil, and on the other, we have... evil doing evil (to itself), which sometimes has "good" (or at least fortunate) effects. Quite the predicament 😅 (And yes, lady-balrogs are a fascinating overlooked opportunity!)

[@squashedeyeball]

@@GirlNextGondor Bless you Lexi! You are a legend. And I'll catch up on the new vid soon :) And that is a great observation! The "good doing evil unaware" does seem to happen often in life...

[@robertherring9277]

Such great material! Thanks kiddo. Been bad about saying a lot for a while, but you have gotten me through this year of grad school. Dont know what I was thinking of going back at 50, but thanks! Loved watching the channel grow over the past couple years! Crazy to have been here from near the start!

[@IanHeins]

Nice work thanks

[@Djynni]

I really enjoyed the philosophical insight of this video. 😍

[@allisonkreutzberg6079]

🥰great video as always! This was a very interesting topic I haven’t seen covered in full before. Wonderfully done! (And in Melkor”s defense, those rocks are really, really shiny)

[@doubleoblit]

This is such a great video. So many content creators make amazing lore videos, but the literary analysis sets yours apart.

[@beatleblev]

As many times as it is offered, repentance is often refused in the Legendarium. Aule, Boromir, and Osse, are the only characters who, when confronted with their misdeeds, repented and submitted to Authority, or went out like a true Champ. I would add Celebrimbor and Turgon but a Noldo is going to Noldo and it's difficult to blame them for shiny object attachment, be it jewelry or shining cities, when it appears to be written into the Noldor DNA. Also, because all the Middle Earth Noldor are cursed, it is hard to parse out where individual free will ends and the curse begins. As discussed in a prior video, a clear example is the idiotic last desperate attempt to steal a Silmaril by the two surviving sons of Feanor. Almost certainly the most morally upstanding of the seven (very low bar), Maedhros and Maglor would have repented if their oath would have allowed for it. Manwe forgave Melkor. I'm sure he could have used the AllFather hotline and worked something out. 1000 Yen of Community Service or maybe carving: 'I will not use my hroa's mouth to write checks my fea can't cash' a google times in stone. And, then there's Hurin, poor poor Hurin. Who also repents of his bitterness when his sight is cleansed by Melian's empathy and discernment. Who have I missed? Why do so few of the Legendarium's characters reject their last chance for redemption when offered?

[@GirlNextGondor]

I'm glad you spotted that 😉 I realized while I was working on this video that the "last chance" is something that can most clearly be seen *only if one fails to take it*. Aule and Osse are pretty clear examples; Boromir is likely another. But there are plenty of good-but-not-perfect characters who struggle with temptation, who may have passed their 'last chance' without it ever being remarked upon so explicitly. Maybe Frodo's decision to spare Gollum would have been his 'last chance;' maybe Sam giving the Ring back to Frodo was another case. Gandalf and Galadriel (and Faramir!) resist taking the Ring. Thorin refrains from killing Bilbo after he finds out about the Arkenstone. Isildur realizes he's been dumb about the Ring and tries to at least do damage control in his final hours. All of these *could* have been Last Chances, or they could have been 'merely' crucial decisions, which the characters could still recover from if they messed up. But the fact is they *didn't* mess up, or didn't mess up too badly, so we'll never know what would have happened if they'd failed. (Maedhros seems to go back and forth, which is why he's so tricky - every time you think his villain arc is complete, he swerves and pulls a Redemption; the cycle repeats until even he gets bored of it and hucks himself into the nearest fissure .) With Morgoth, Sauron, Feanor, Saruman, Denethor, Grima, and Gollum already hogging my attention, though, I figured getting into *actual* cases of redemption was a subject for another video. 😅

[@philkugler2429]

This is so funny and well written. Bravo

[@brendanmooney7607]

@@GirlNextGondor When you do end up writing that 'Character Redemption in Tolkien's Writings' video, I hope you'll touch on the Greatest Redemption Arc of All Time™: Lobelia Sackville-Baggins! 🥄🥄🥄

[@istari0]

@@GirlNextGondor Perhaps it can be simply stated that you don't know it's your last chance until you fail to take it.

[@lizziesmusicmaking]

@@GirlNextGondor I'd kind of like to see that redemption video. Seeing the failures is interesting, but it's important not to dwell solely on them. Otherwise its easy to think that there is no hope, and nothing to be done. (yes, I like redemption arcs. I find them fascinating, because they let you see what's possible for a character that you might have given up on, or nearly so. Well done, they can be brilliant, and leave me yelling 'yes!' out loud. Badly, well, anything done badly enough is pretty bad.)

[@ellerose9164]

While watching this video I had to think a lot about Galadriel and how great it was that she did pass her test and did repent in the end! She of course started on a much higher spiritual level compared to the more villaneous characters but her turning away from the valar could have easily led her down a very dark path too. Instead of a dark lord you would have a queen...

[@larrykuenning5754]

Wonderful. I like the image "moral event horizon" at 11:22 (a concept from physics probably not known to Tolkien but very relevant). Sometime in the late 1960s when Tolkien fans were more rare than today, on running into another fan at random I happened to bring up the scene of Sam spoiling Gollum's chance at repentance. "I could have kicked him!" she responded. It's a very important moment.

[@GirlNextGondor]

I can't take full credit for the metaphor of moral event horizon - it's something I encountered in my Internet voyages, specifically on the website TV Tropes. But I agree that it's an excellent image for the concept. Disagreeing with you on the significance of Sam's fatal 'moment of grouchiness' would require me to discount Tolkien's own *repeated* statements on it -- it's a *tremendous* moment. What cuts me up, though, is how understated it is. No volcanic eruptions, swooping Eagles, horn blasts, etc. - it's an outwardly simple scene, very like any number of ones we've already seen between the three. Sam apologizes awkwardly, Gollum pouts as one might expect, Frodo (one imagines) rubs his temples and prays for patience, and they continue on their way - straight into the loving multiarmed embrace of Shelob. It makes you want to re-read the whole book with a magnifying glass, so to speak, to make sure you're not overlooking any earthshattering moments disguised as apparently banal conversations.

[@Archgeek0]

On the plus side, it also brought Sam's elven blade and Shelob's soft underbelly together, making the "Pass of the Spider" notably less spidery for any future travelers. On less unpleasant shadow to haunt Ithilien after the tower's fall.

[@nigeldepledge3790]

I only found this channel very recently; but I'm already impressed at how thoughtful are your videos, and how intelligently- argued are the points you make.

[@emtiger3]

Wonderful! Your suggested alteration of my topic offering, turned-out, excellent! Redemption, in its many presentations in Arda are what made me not only fall in love with Ea, but dedicate myself to understanding it and all its denizens better. An unassailable belief in the unfathomable possibility of redemption infuses my view as much inside Prof. Tolkien's world as it does for our world outside of it. I am a dog with his bone, I'm afraid. 😉 Thanks, Lexi

[@Astrobrewster]

GNG, you are my favourite Tolkien KZbinr. One small thing - ‘centres around’ is an oxymoron. Centres on, or revolves around. I love your channel, thanks

[@Enerdhil]

It is idiomatic.

[@XellossBoi]

Your best video yet! And that's saying a lot!

[@BookofGates]

"You have become a fool Saruman, but pitiable."

[@ParameterGrenze]

This importance of small moments of rather insignificant characters is exactly the kind of magic that Gandalf has domain and mastery over.

[@Rakhamon]

Been eagerly awaiting your new upload. This was a really good one! I feel that Tolkien's view on redemption was heavily influenced by his Catholic upbringing and personal faith, since the idea of the redemption is such a vital part of that branch of Christianity. But Tolkien's personal brand is not the same as church doctrine, and he demonstrates a much more humanistic view on it in his later writing. It does make me deeply regret (for the millionth time) that we could never get even one of the Great Tales finished by Tolkien's own hand. When reading the published Silmarillion and knowing that the versions printed there are often very early, very rough and lacking in both detail and philsophical and moral depth it makes me wonder what we could have had. For example Fëanor. If I remember right the 1977 version of his life is mostly comprised of very early material, and his death in particular is an event that Tolkien didn't return to as often as some other stories that he chose to re-work. So what could a finished version of Fëanor's life looked like? Definitely a timeline I would have liked to visit. Looking forward to the next one

[@GirlNextGondor]

I'm looking into the "evolution of the Silmarillion' timeline right now, and it is a *doozy.* Feanor is scarcely even present in the earliest stages, though he's so short-lived that the post-LotR versions flesh him out nicely almost up to the moment of his death. Thingol, apparently, evolves quite a bit, but the only version of his death Tolkien succeeded in working out was an early one that did not match well with the later versions and had to be Frankenstein'd in. The version of 'Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin' found in Unfinished Tales is, for me, the closest we'll get in terms of style and detail to what a 'finished' post-LotR Silmarillion would look like.

[@Rakhamon]

@@GirlNextGondor I'm nowhere near as read as you are in the History of Middle-Earth books and the other ancillary material but it really does seem like a mess, yes. Just reading through Christophers note on some stories which reveal that the material presented has a temporal range that can be from like 1915-1955. I do know that the Thingol story is one case where Christopher openly said he messed up. The version printed in the 77 Silm is an almost pure invention of Christopher and/or Kay because they could not find a textually complete version of that part of the story at the time. However as you say that story DOES exist, but it's from a much earlier document, was unknown to Christopher at the time and really clashes. The standalone volume "Beren and Luthien" (my favorite of the Great Tales) is such an insane hodge-podge of material going all the way from "silly fairytale" to "deeply depressing existential drama". You covered this a bit in past videos like the one about great love stories but yeah the textual history there. Also sorry but I just realized. Uh, Tolkien was considering Melkor's discord not being his big evil deed? Was he seriously thinking about ditching the entire "Arda Marred" thing as the central mythological part of the story? I'm not sure I understood that right part but if that's the case that would have almost torn up the Legendarium from the ground and is about as much of controversial change as "Arda was always a regular planet with a sun and moon". Professor did you... did you consider HOW MUCH REWRITING you would have to do if you went with this?

[@Rambam1776]

This is really well done. It was a treat and the pleasure to listen to

[@bubrzubr5940]

Great video! I watched it twice. Once in the evening and once in the morning.

[@Enerdhil]

Me, too. 😅

[@HyperspaceCafe]

So glad I found this channel. You are absolutely wonderful in your character analysis!

[@louisebrouillette5580]

When I see a notification of one of your new videos, my day is made better! Thank you for examining in depth topics which are so essential to understanding Tolkien. I first read LOTR 50 years ago (!), and I discover more and more wonderful things each year, in large part due to your videos!

[@skatemetrix]

The near repentence of Gollum is probably the most sombre moment in the entire trilogy of books- when Gollum almost became a Hobbit again and not a creature utterly twisted by the ring.

[@philkugler2429]

This is the first of your videos i have watched, and this was so well written. I'm probably going to binge a bunch more!

[@slimhazard]

I repent. I was wrong. May Illuvatar have mercy on my fëa.

[@jessewilliams9195]

Very interesting, thank you

[@lowcountryrecoverymassage3000]

Well done, this one!

[@miaththered]

Alas, poor Gollum.

[@kellyrybacki5801]

Excellent video, thank you

[@Bakumatsu1]

this is well thought out and structured too good and too serious a discussion for youtube but I like it regardless

[@Enerdhil]

It is like an online Tolkien course.

[@JosephVybihal]

Your analysis is quite good. :)

[@GirlNextGondor]

Thank you 😊

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Imagine if Gollum DID help them destroy the ring. His life wouldn't be the same afterwards and it would be hard for him to adapt to a normal life. I mean...he forgot what bread tastes like...that's a long time being detached from people!

[@GirlNextGondor]

Gollum, at least, seems to think that his continued long life is dependent on the Ring's existence -- just like Bilbo quickly starts showing signs of old age and senility after its destruction, it sounds like Gollum would probably experience the effects of 500 years passing all at once. But in a related vein, I want to know more about how the Wood-elves tried to rehabilitate him. It seems that off-leash walks in the woods were part of the protocol 😅

[@Enerdhil]

​@@GirlNextGondor The Woodland Elves were probably oblivious to the evil within Gollum, just as the Valar were oblivious to the evil within Melkor. Righteous characters never seem to understand the extent to which evil can indwell beings.

[@mon_moi]

​​​@@Enerdhilehh, the Wood Elves don't have the same reputation of wisdom or righteousness as the Ñoldor or Sindar (although at the same time wise elves like Turgon and Thingol also made stupid choices that got them killed, but you could argue that they had valid motivations). Point is I'm sure long-lived elves like Thranduil could've perceived Gollum's corruption, but tried to help him anyway, whereas someone like Manwe if he saw Gollum would prob be like "uh I don't remember this being part of the Ainulindale" and thus not understand his depravity

[@Enerdhil]

@@mon_moi At least in my headcanon, the First Children of Iluvatar are like Adam and Eve if they never sinned. Men are like Adam and Eve after they ate the Fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. I know Maeglin, Eöl, and all the Fëanorians did many evil acts, but they are outliers. So I think it is possible that even after Aragorn explained to Thranduil how evil and sneaky Gollum was, they didn't realize that they were supposed to adjust their treatment of him, so they gave him permission to be outside and climb up trees, and that is when Orcs suddenly attacked them and Gollum was able to escape.

[@jarrodcarver9001]

Great video, Lexi!

[@DavetheNord]

Most interesting. Splendid video!😁

[@GirlNextGondor]

Appreciate it! ♥

[@mrmeowmeow710]

A great gem of a video 2 thumbs up

[@istari0]

Even if Sam had not spoken so harshly to Gollum at the crucial moment and Gollum, I wonder if it would have held. The One Ring's grasp on him was powerful and not easily removed. Still, I remember reading that text about Gollum genuinely repenting and then sacrificing himself to destroy the Ring and thinking as possible alternate endings go, that would have been a good one. Upon occasion, I have wondered about how if at certain moments a character had repented but the moment was one where the effect of their redemption wouldn't have been clear. For example, Saruman rejects Gandalf's offer at Isengard but I'm not sure if it would have made a huge difference if he had taken it. But what about if after Gandalf escapes his imprisonment on Orthanc that Saruman reflects on things and decides he has made a grave mistake. Sometimes, it is easier to decide to atone for your mistakes on your own than when having to do so with those you have wronged. What if Sauron had repented not at the end of The War of Wrath but rather at the end of The War for the Sake of the Elves? There's lots of possibilities.

[@Allovimo]

This was a fantastic essay. You have a new subscriber!

[@Enerdhil]

Great! You have a lot of homework to catch up on.😂

[@eluthiccgol4715]

Watching now! ❤

[@colbyboucher6391]

"The heart-racking sense of the vanished past" is such a great phrase. It's a feeling I've experienced a few times, particularly when learning about how many important native American archeological sites have been turned into parking lots. ...Or looking at Marathon's fan website, particularly the story section, and seeing how some links are totally dead... and more of it will disappear over time. And I *wish* I could do something about it but it's way too much for one person with HTTTracker to store. I'd never really connected it to The Lord of the Rings.

[@joseraulcapablanca8564]

I really loved this. To me the character of Gollum can in many ways be considered the hero of the tale, he destroys the ring. What he thought, how he repented as he fell into the abyss we know not, what grace allowed him to destroy his bane is beyond our ken. As for Sam he is only human, therefore an imperfect hero, Gollum is only human, an imperfect villain, the same is true of the humanity of all of Tolkiens characters, whatever their race. One could maybe go so far as to say, Tolkien knew his own doubts and imperfections so well that he could realistically reflect them in his wonderful characters. Thanks GNG.

[@mrbigglezworth42]

I'd argue against that by noting that much of what Gollum does is influenced by his own personal greed of the Ring. Not only does he fail to redeem himself like similar characters in the story, he essentially embraces his fall at the end. It's entirely by chance, or the work of Eru (or God, since Tolkien was Catholic) that Gollum falls to his doom while celebrating his seeming victory and by extension destroys the Ring. Before this, it's likely that Gollum rejected redemption during the events at Osgiliath, and by that point he had fully committed himself to evil. He's not an imperfect villain because he failed, he's an imperfect being because he refused to change.

[@joseraulcapablanca8564]

@@mrbigglezworth42 yes indeed his failure is due to personal greed and to try to look at it from a Catholic viewpoint it is by the grace of god that he is destroyed in his attempt to claim the ring. If Bilbo stabs him when he has the chance, or if so many other chances had destroyed him earlier he is not there for the moment of eucastrophe. As Tolkien says “evil will oft evil mars.” The use of the disharmony to create an even more beautiful music, as promised in the Ainulindale is demonstrated beautifully here. The ability of god to redeem all is shown. The doomed and forgotten soul bears the ring to its destruction. I am not saying Gollum is the hero, merely that he can in many ways be considered as such. My view is that like much the professor wrote whilst praising and extolling heroism, especially that shown in the long defeat, he is keenly aware of the futility of many types of heroic behaviour. No one person is the hero in the book, some pick Sam, a great choice I am trying to point out the complexity woven into these characters.

[@NigelIncubatorJones]

Great stuff again. My favorite Tolkien channel.

[@spoiler321]

For all the money the LOTR brand has made, i estimated that Tolkien is worth $100,000. per page

[@robhogg68]

Can the worth of something be reduced to the amount of money it can be sold for? Van Gogh's paintings are sold for millions, yet he died in poverty. Were his paintings worth less (worthless) back then? And do Tolkien's works gain more worth by the production of merchandise than by the creativity he put into them?

[@maxpiemuse9584]

Fantastic video (as usual). I think Gollum is one of the most complex and interesting characters in literature. You really nailed it.

[@TarMody]

Sauron's repentance after the War of Wrath was no deception to me. The help he would offer them in coming among the Elves was a kind of penance and a sign of his sincerity, but they could not understand him, and because of this misunderstanding they returned Sauron to the will of Melkor.