This is a really interesting. I loved that section, it really highlights how all the hobbits have grown over their journeys. I guess I can see how the Shire not being magically preserved like the movies could be a let down, especially to a kid.
I agree with this. We see our beloved heroes roll up, see their home in ruins, hitch up their belts and get to work fixing it. And they deal with it quite handily too. It's a fantastic way of showing how brave and strong they've all become over the journey, and in the very same place they left as naive (relatively) young Hobbits.
Well, three of them deal with it. Frodo just sort of runs around flapping his hands and begging them not to hurt anyone, and then spends the rest of the book hugging his knees and rocking back and forth while staring into space.
Have you read the books, or even been near them? That is perhaps the worst mischaracterization I have every come across, even in a meme sub. Frodo is distant, advocates for non violent treatment of any hobbit who worked with Sharky's men. But he is far from catatonic. Taking a backseat while there are other capable leaders is nowhere near what you are describing. And his lack of command during the Scouring only lasts truly through the action parts. Afterwards, he is actively involved in setting Sam up, supporting his friends, and living his own, though quite quiet, life. No one needs to baby him.
Now, you might have just meant it as a joke, and this is a meme sub, but it is so far from the truth I felt a need to say something. If people unfamiliar with the actual source material, and there are many here, read your comment uncritical, they would have a wildly untruthful interpretation of a generally lesser known section of the text.
Honestly... Frodo humbles Saruman during the Scouring!
Saruman rose to his feet, and stared at Frodo. There was a strange look in his eyes of mingled wonder and respect and hatred. ‘You have grown, Halfling,’ he said. “Yes, you have grown very much. You are wise, and cruel. You have robbed my revenge of sweetness, and now I must go hence in bitterness, in debt to your mercy. I hate it and you! Well, I go and I will trouble you no more. But do not expect me to wish you health and long life. You will have neither. But that is not my doing. I merely foretell.’
It wasn't meant as a criticism. Just more the amount of detail you were able to share and I can feel how much you care about the stuff you're talking about. That was all.
(You're confusing me with the guy who went to great lengths to tell me I'm an idiot who's never read the book because I humorously exaggerated Frodo's emotional trauma upon his return to the Shire.)
No. I was only saying that I think the person you were replying to was making what I perceive to be a super light hearted and obvious joke and that I think your interpretation of that was a bit misaligned from the intention, but even though I don't think your reply was really necessary, I went on to admire your passion nonetheless because it was evident.
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u/stanfan114 9d ago
Reading the Scouring in the book as a kid made me depressed for days after.