Greetings, reader.
In chapter four, Frodo and his companions continue on their way to leave the Shire. When they awake, after their night of frivolity and council with the elves, they find that the elves have departed, leaving them with some of their elvish foods. At the beginning of the chapter, the group's discussion over the sniffing noise made by the Black Rider prompts the observation that the Rider had been attempting to find something or someone olfactorily; this theory is later confirmed when, at Farmer Maggot's home, one of the Black Riders specifically asks for "Baggins." Now the reader knows that the Riders are in fact hunting the hobbits. Thankfully, the hospitable Farmer Maggot declines to produce the group, informing the black-garbed figure that the Bagginses do not live in that area. This is the first occurrence of speech from the Black Riders, which, though not uncivilized, rasps with paranormality emphasized by the hissing noises that accompany the dialogue. By the end of the chapter, Merry has joined the group, and they continue their journey Bucklebury.
In relation to the movie, this chapter varies as much as the others so far. Farmer Maggot not only makes an appearance, but is friendly and hospitable, unlike the angry voice represented by the head of a pitchfork weaving through the cornfield. As Merry joins the party, it is also evident to me that Tolkien has not created Merry and Pippin as the inseparable troublemakers defined by the film. I find that, like C. S. Lewis, another great fantasy writer, Tolkien lacks a strong comedic standing. The filmmaker's alteration of Merry and Pippin's characters adds the laughs that modern moviegoers desire. I also noticed that, unlike the film, the Black Riders are somewhat less monstrous. This presents itself in their speech especially; the movie creatures hiss short phrases and scream bloodcurdlingly while the literary Riders speak in full and normal sentences, though slightly raspingly. I find that at this point in the book, this adds mystery to what they are: it seems as though they could still be somewhat human.
Please feel free to respond to my commentary in the comments below.
Thanks for reading,
C
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