What Tolkien half said, or left unsaid.
Regarding comments to the previous post, I see that Tolkien actually left quite a bit of ambiguity about what was actually said between Faramir and Denethor in "The Siege of Gondor." Faramir's account of his meeting Frodo and Sam is not actually narrated; I had assumed that Faramir did not tell Denethor about the Ring, but I see now that there is also support for making the opposite assumption. I'm curious what you guys think.
If you answered question 2 with "Faramir told Denethor about the Ring"...
1. What was your impression the first time you read the scene in which Faramir relates to Denethor his meeting with Frodo and Sam?
Faramir told Denethor about the Ring.
11(57.9%)
Faramir did not tell Denethor about the Ring.
7(36.8%)
I don't remember my first impression of the scene.
1(5.3%)
2. What is your impression of the scene now?
Faramir told Denethor about the Ring.
5(26.3%)
Faramir did not tell Denethor about the Ring.
0(0.0%)
Both interpretations are valid, but it's more likely that Faramir told Denethor about the Ring.
4(21.1%)
Both interpretations are valid, but it's more likely that Faramir did not tell Denethor about the Ring.
9(47.4%)
I still haven't decided.
1(5.3%)
If you answered question 2 with "Faramir told Denethor about the Ring"...
3. Denethor says to Faramir: "See, you have spoken skillfully, as ever; but I, have I not seen your eye fixed on Mithrandir, seeking whether you have said well or too much? ... My son, your father is old but not yet dotard. I can see and hear, as was my wont; and little of what you have half said or left unsaid is now hidden from me. Alas, alas for Boromir!" Assuming that Faramir did tell Denethor about the Ring, what is it that he left out, or that Denethor believes he left out?If you answered question 2 with "Faramir did not tell Denethor about the Ring"...
4. When Faramir first mentions having seen Frodo, "At that Gandalf sat up and gripped the arms of his chair; but he said nothing, and with a look stopped the exclamation on Pippin's lips." What was it that Gandalf was afraid of Pippin saying or revealing?
5. Denethor is one of Tolkien's most perceptive characters, almost Gandalf's match for subtlety; and in this respect, Faramir is very much like his father. Assuming Faramir did not tell Denethor about the Ring, what reasons did he have for concealing it? What made him think he could really conceal anything from Denethor?And finally...
6. In describing Faramir's account, Tolkien says only this: "Slowly, while the others sat silent and still, Faramir told his tale, with his eyes for the most part on Gandalf, though now and then his glance strayed to Pippin, as if to refresh his memory of others that he had seen. As his story was unfolded of his meeting with Frodo and his servant and of the events at Henneth Annun, Pippin became aware that Gandalf's hands were trembling as they clutched the carven wood." Assuming that Faramir never mentioned Isildur's Bane, why does Tolkien say only that he "told his tale" and "unfolded" the events of Henneth Annun, and not that Faramir was omitting anything?
7. Faramir, before meeting Frodo, does not know that Isildur's Bane is the One Ring ("What in truth this Thing is I cannot yet guess"); but Sam accidentally gives the secret away. After Faramir has told Denethor about Frodo and Henneth Annun, Denethor obviously knows that Isildur's Bane is what the hobbits were carrying; but he gives no indication of knowing that it is a ring. Does this seem more like evidence that Faramir told him about Isildur's Bane, or that he didn't?Heh. I am such a dork, it totally sounds like I'm posing essay questions for a mid-term or something. :P Obviously, this is just for fun -- but I do hope you guys will share what you think. :)