Glittering Caves

Patrick and Andrew explore the persuasive power of Saruman’s rhetoric of half-truths as he plays victim, arouses fears, promises rescue, nearly severing Theoden and Rohan from Gandalf’s leadership. But Gandalf’s laughter proves more powerful, and his merciful risk almost overcomes Saruman’s pride.

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Patrick finds a foretaste of heaven in the triumph over Saruman, while Andrew rejoices  in the hobbits’ Catholic-like enjoyment in food and drink, smoke and laughter. They marvel at the Ents’ power revealed in the massive destruction of Isengard. Andrew likens his feelings of pity for Wormtongue to Dante’s pity for the souls in hell.

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Patrick rejoices in the return of the hobbits to the narrative and in the joyful, humor-filled reunion of the Company. He and Andrew discuss the Glittering Caves of Aglarond and how the different reactions of Gimli and Legolas are like their own different reactions to The Lord of the Rings. They reflect on the futility of Isengard’s pretentious flattery of Mordor, which still gives a fearsome anticipation of what Frodo and Sam will face, and on Gandalf’s foibles.

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Andrew helps Patrick to appreciate some of the moving scenes of the battle - Aragorn’s challenge to the orcs, the horns echoing, the King’s desperate but glorious charge, Erkenbrand’s sunrise attack. They discuss the importance of leaders communicating courage, confidence, and joy to their soldiers. Andrew notes the many artistic renditions Tolkien’s descriptions have inspired and directed.

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Andrew finds great political and human interest in this chapter: what a corrupt political order is like, the sadness of old people losing their judgment, the threat of despair, the power of lying half-truths. Patrick is reminded of drama triangles and the choices presented at the beginning of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. They reflect on the spiritual importance of courtesy.

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Patrick questions Andrew about Gandalf’s resurrection, who has been sent back with new powers to lead the final war against Sauron. Andrew admires Aragorn's humility in recognizing Gandalf’s superiority. They reflect on Gandalf’s claim that Sauron cannot imagine anyone rejecting the Ring.

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Patrick marvels at Tolkien’s playful imagination of what it would be like for a tree to wake up while still being a tree, and confesses that he now looks at trees differently. Treebeard gives us a new look at Elves and Men and invites us to look more deeply inside other creatures. Andrew highlights the wise warnings implicit in the sad story of the Entwives.

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Tolkien’s mastery of multiple narratives and perspectives is on display as we share the hobbits' chaotic experience of captivity. Patrick wonders at the quarrelsome factions among the orcs, whose ugly, vicious way of life is in stark contrast to the peaceful life that gives strength to Merry and Pippin. Andrew witnesses that the Lord of the Rings helped him to dream of better life that he could share with his children.

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The Hunt for Merry and Pippin begins.Patrick extols the manifestation of Aragorn’s greatness as he declares his titles before Eomer of Rohan. Facing the imminent threat of war, Eomer chooses to trust Aragorn. Andrew dwells on Legolas and the beautiful power of Elvish magic.

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Patrick and Andrew discuss Boromir’s shame and repentance and the new appreciation of him that Tolkien gives us through the songs of Aragorn and Legolas, expressing Gondor’s longing for its heroic captain who will never return. Aragorn fights his own sense of failure in making a Providential choice to try to save Merry and Pippin from the Orcs.

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