LotR Discussion Project: Chapters X & XI

[Linaewen]

Chapter X & X1- The Voice of Saruman and The PalantÃ*r
- by Radagast the Brown & Lin

(Sorry for the delay! Both of us were really busy)

These chapters, while rather short, are quite informative.

Chapter X- The Voice of Saruman

Gandalf carries out the ‘dangerous, and probably useless’ task of paying a last visit to Saruman. He is accompanied by Théoden, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Merry & Pippin, and some Riders of Rohan.

We learn of the power in Gandalf’s voice. If I may refer to Letters here, Tolkien says explicitly that Saruman’s voice is highly persuasive, not hypnotic:

Those who listened to him were not in danger of falling into a trance, but of agreeing with his arguments, while fully awake. It was always open to one to reject, by free will and reason, both his voice while speaking and its after-impressions. Saruman corrupted the reasoning powers.

I don’t know about you, but this wasn’t the impression I got when reading about it in LotR. The way Tolkien describes Saruman’s voice as an ‘enchantment’ and a ‘spell’ made me think that Saruman was controlling, rather than manipulating, those who listened to him. Was Gandalf immune to his powers? (If so, is it because he’s now Gandalf the White?) Or did he have to actively resist them?

Saruman patronisingly offers to aid Théoden, who takes a while to speak because he strives ‘with anger or doubt’. I suppose that Saruman does this out of desperation, though he must know that there is little aid that he can actually provide. Théoden, however, rejects Saruman’s offer and in doing so, fulfils his role of King, which he has recently taken on once more. His speech is so stirring and dignified; it’s one of my favourite passages in the book.

Saruman then tries (again, condescendingly), to form an alliance with Gandalf. Instead, Gandalf offers the chance to Saruman to redeem himself, and to be ‘free’, but only after relinquishing the Key of Orthanc and his staff. Saruman, enraged by this, turns to leave, but is pulled back, against his will, by Gandalf’s command. Gandalf exerts his new power and authority as Gandalf the White; he casts Saruman from the order and the White Council, and also breaks his staff.

It’s interesting to see Saruman’s demise. He has paid for his greed and betrayal, and has been slowly corrupted by it. “He will not serve, only command� says Gandalf, and this is true to the very end, as we see by his refusal to leave Orthanc. (This is also seen later, but now’s not that time for that). Is there this weakness in all of us? After all, the greatest of the Istari was corrupted, and Gandalf admits that he doesn’t quite trust himself with the Ring and so forth.

In his anger, Wormtongue throws a mysterious ball (note: with poor aim, probably because he doesn’t know if he hates Gandalf or Saruman more) at the company, which Pippin retrieves, but which Gandalf quickly takes off him.

We learn from Gandalf of, what seems to be, Saruman’s inevitable doom by the choices he has made. What, at this point in time, do you think will become of him?

The company leave Treebeard and his Ents, who pledge to guard Isengard for as long as necessary. There are hopeful plans made for the future, with Legolas asking to see Fangorn after the War. The Hobbits are added to the Ents’ Long List, so we can see how the hobbits have already begun to make their mark in history.

Chapter XI The PalantÃ*r

Upon leaving Isengard, the group see Saruman’s emblem, the White Hand, broken by the Ents. This seemingly represent’s Saruman’s hopelessness.

The company head back to Helm’s Deep, and stop for the night. Pippin is restless and resents Gandalf taking the PalantÃ*r off him without telling him any information. Merry is so weary he falls asleep straight away, but Pippin, drawn by curiosity and also some other force, takes the PalantÃ*r from Gandalf and peers into it. He is terrified by he is confronted by- Sauron, who still believes the PalantÃ*r is with Saruman and wants it to be returned to him. Pippin is distressed by the ordeal, having felt that he was ‘falling into pieces’, and his body becomes rigid. He is reproached by Gandalf, but forgiven.

The Orthanc-stone is now identified undeniably as the PalantÃ*r of Orthanc, and Gandalf gives it to Aragorn, to whom it rightfully belongs. They now know of the link between Isengard and Mordor. Gandalf admits that Pippin’s inquisitiveness has saved him, because he may have otherwise attempted to probe it and revealed himself to Sauron.

Again, they ride, and are passed by a Nazgûl, Gandalf warns them that ‘The storm is coming’, and they ride with urgency. Pippin and Gandalf ride on Shadowfax, and Pippin learns much about the PalantÃ*ri. They ride rapidly to Minas Tirith, leaving the others far behind.