Welcome back to my series of posts exploring how J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The Lord of the Rings differs from its film adaptations. Today we’ll be examining how the book begins: specifically how Tolkien informs the reader of the current state of affairs in the Shire.
Hamfast Gamgee
The Lord of the Rings begins with a straightforward explanation of Bilbo’s life in the years since his adventure, including his adoption of Frodo and their coming birthday. The day in question is both Bilbo’s eleventy-first and Frodo’s thirty-third birthday, the latter being a hobbit’s coming-of-age.
We’re told that the hobbits have started to gossip, and then we’re introduced to Bilbo’s former gardener Hamfast Gamgee, called the Gaffer. Hamfast’s son Samwise has taken over as gardener, and Hamfast is at the Ivy Bush Inn drinking and answering the questions of some curious hobbits.
Through some brilliant exposition disguised as gossip, we learn a bit about the Shire—Buckland in particular. This leads into the inn’s patrons talking about how Frodo’s parents drowned when he was young, and we hear some dark rumours about the details, which Hamfast dismisses.
Tunnels Stuffed with Treasure
The hobbits talk about how Otho Sackville-Baggins was poised to inherit Bag End before Bilbo adopted Frodo. Through all this, we get a feel for what sort of a person Hamfast is: trustworthy and knowledgeable concerning the Bagginses, but somewhat uneducated. The conversation shifts to rumours of Bilbo’s wealth, and we hear a bit about Sam:
‘But my lad Sam will know more about that. He’s in and out of Bag End. Crazy about stories of the old days, he is, and he listens to all Mr. Bilbo’s tales. Mr. Bilbo has learned him is letters – meaning no harm, mark you, and I hope no harm will come of it.’
Hamfast Gamgee, The Lord of the Rings (Book Ⅰ, Chapter Ⅰ)
Despite his insistence that he’s seen no tunnels stuffed with treasure, the others begin to annoy Hamfast with their theories. Hamfast shifts the conversation towards the birthday party, which leads us into the next scene.
Even these minor characters feel well-defined in the book. It’s hard to write an info dump that feels natural, but the beginning of The Lord of the Rings doesn’t even feel like an info dump. It feels like people drinking and gossiping.
Subscribe to
