Frodo's Decision-Making

[Lego My Egolas]

Now, before you criticize me for whatever reason at all, let me say that I haven't finished reading The Fellowship of the Ring yet.

Now unto the case at hand: While the Fellowship is wandering across The Pass of Caradhras, they are debating whether to turn back to The Mines of Moria or continue along the treacherous snowy path that Saurman is destroying. Gandalf suddenly says "Let the ringbearer decide!". Frodo then says "We will go through the mines!" Now, here's where my question lies: Why does Frodo not ask what the consequences of The Mines are? Shouldn't Gandalf at least tell him before they precede into the dangerous dark of The Mines? I'm not sure how they portrayed this in the book, but I hope not as poorly as they did in the movie. Any help or opinions on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

[Talimon]

In the book it is actually Gandalf himself who argues that they should go through the mines, and Aragorn who argues against it. They do ask Frodo what his opinion is, and if I remember correctly he says something along the lines of, "Gandalf will get more votes in the morning." During the night they are ambushed by wolves (or were they wargs?), and that basically seals thier fate of taking the mines. Once the wolves attack there is little arguement, unless perhaps a word or two of objection from Boromir.

As for the film, I don't think it was unreasonable for Frodo to make his choice as he did. Nobody really knows what has happened in Moria, and as such nobody can really tell him (this is proven by everyones surprise when they see all the dead dwarf bodies at the entrance). Once they do realize that Moria is a "tomb", they are already caught inside by the Watcher. As such Frodo's decision (in the film) is more along the lines of 1) staying on the mountain and almost for sure suffering death (in the EE Boromir says, "This will be the death of the hobbits!"), or 2) Taking a chance in this mysterious Moria. Given the present conditions (blistering cold, Saruman working against them), I don't see his decision as being too uninformed, or for that matter unreasonable.

[joxy]

Originally posted by Lego My Egolas ....let me say that I haven't finished reading The Fellowship of the Ring yet.
....the treacherous snowy path that Saurman is destroying. Gandalf suddenly says "Let the ringbearer decide!". Frodo then says "We will go through the mines!
I'm not sure how they portrayed this in the book, but I hope not as poorly as they did in the movie.
It must be pretty confusing for you reading one set of characters and actions and seeing another different set of each! That's exaggerating,of course:-)
You have noted that Saruman, in the book, is not necessarily doing the destroying?
The problem about the Gandalf/Frodo incident is precisely that it is too abrupt, and probably in the wrong place.
It's not the only thing that you'll find done poorly in the film!

[Goldberry1234]

Re: the movie...If you watch the extended DVD of FOTR, you can also hear that Boromir in that scene says something like " this will be the death of the hobbits!"...if that part had been included in the original release it might have been easier to see why Frodo made up his mind so quickly!

[Nóm]

I don't see how it was in the wrong place since they were chosing to either go through Moria or continue with Caradhras. Should they have hiked down to the base of the mountain before concidering whether or not to go back up?


PS: I'm glad to see you back around here joxy.


***********EDIT***********
I just remembered that Frodo was probably deciding between the Gap and Moria.. not caradhras in Moria. That being so, I think you have a good point joxy...but as Goldberry said.....
Re: the movie...If you watch the extended DVD of FOTR, you can also hear that Boromir in that scene says something like " this will be the death of the hobbits!"...if that part had been included in the original release it might have been easier to see why Frodo made up his mind so quickly!
That is also a good point, but I think it works without Boromir's comment - he basicly sates the obvious.

[PRH]

btw - I think Boromir's comment here is a horrendous addition. It should've been earlier, during his "make for the gap of rohan, or take the west road to my city" line. Having it where it sits in the EE sounds horribly out of place, mainly because he's still yelling when everyone else is just talking normally. Oh, and he should've said "halfings."

[Talimon]

Originally posted by PRH
btw - I think Boromir's comment here is a horrendous addition. It should've been earlier, during his "make for the gap of rohan, or take the west road to my city" line. Having it where it sits in the EE sounds horribly out of place, mainly because he's still yelling when everyone else is just talking normally. Oh, and he should've said "halfings."

Hm... a matter of taste, I guess. For me it works later, because it shows that every second is precious. If I remember correctly he says it while Frodo is thinking, thus adding more tension to his decision.

[PRH]

It would've been okay if he didn't yell it. It's like "yeah - I'm right here!!"

[joxy]

Originally posted by Nóm
PS: I'm glad to see you back around here joxy.
***********EDIT***********
I just remembered that Frodo was probably deciding between the Gap and Moria.. not Caradhras and Moria. That being so, I think you have a good point....
think it works without Boromir's comment - he basically states the obvious.
Hey thanks!
Yes they knew by that time that Caradhras wasn't a choice any longer.
And I thought they'd do better to get down and out of the avalanches before deciding.
B's interjection does sound all wrong, stating the obvious, too loudly, and even using the wrong word!