The Lord of the Rings Book Club: Book II
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Join us as we chat about the works and faith of J.R.R. Tolkien, and strive to carry a little piece of Middle-Earth into our own daily lives.
This is the second in a seven-part book club series on The Lord of the Rings. These episodes will be released on the first of each month from now through March to accompany our Book Club as we’re reading The Lord of the Rings! If you’d like to join our book club, you can visit www.teawithtolkien.com/book-club.
Book Two Recap: Major Themes
You Do Not Have to Go Alone: In this book, we see the formation and departure of the Fellowship of the Ring. Finally, the quest has fully begun. While Frodo is willing to take the burden of the Ring onto himself, he acknowledges that he doesn’t even know where to begin in terms of getting it to Mordor. And Elrond understands that he cannot go alone. However, he doesn’t send him forth with a host of great warriors -- rather he sends him in a small group meant to represent all the peoples of Middle-Earth, a group formed largely around friendship! So we see the theme of Fellowship carrying through into Book II. The life-saving, life-giving virtue of friendship.
Rivendell & Lothlorien: In this book we are introduced to two of the great homes of Elvendom in Middle-Earth, Rivendell and Lothlorien. Within the bounds of these two realms, the world feels different entirely. It has been preserved and protected by the power of the Elves, and serves as a refuge for those who visit.
Heroic Leadership Requires Sacrifice: Looking at Gandalf and Aragorn specifically, we see in this book the way that great leadership requires sacrifice. In Gandalf’s case, he was willing to give up his own life to protect the Fellowship from the Balrog. In Aragorn’s case, we see that he is willing to deny his own desires -- both to stay in Rivendell and to go straight to Gondor -- for what he realizes are the greater good of the Fellowship.
The Protection of Elbereth: Despite being referenced several times by hobbits and elves even in these first two books, the character of Elbereth remains relatively unexplained throughout The Lord of the Rings. However, with a little help from The Silmarillion, we can begin to understand her more clearly.
Elbereth Gilthoniel is the Sindarin name for Varda, one of the Ainur and Queen of the Valar. As the creator of the stars and most beloved by the Elves, the name of Elbereth is invoked in times of distress, darkness, and great need. Her beauty is beyond measure or description, and she is feared and hated most by Melkor.
In Three is Company, Gildor says to Frodo, “May Elbereth protect you!”; in A Knife in the Dark, Frodo cries out, “O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!” as he is stabbed by the Morgul blade. And as we journey deeper into the story of The Lord of the Rings, her name will be invoked many more times—keep an eye out for it.
I’ll see you over on our Discord chat for Book II! I hope this episode was helpful and will spark some good discussion. If you aren’t a part of our discord server yet, you can join by signing up for our Book Club with your email address at www.teawithtolkien.com/book-club.
I’ll be back on November 1st to begin our discussion of Book III, which is the first half of The Two Towers.
Discord Chat Discussion Prompts:
Keep in mind these are just meant to spark discussion and you don’t have to answer every one of these!
Thoughts on The Council of Elrond: Did you learn anything new? How has reading the Council of Elrond in light of the Silmarillion changed your perspective (if this isn’t your first time reading it)?
Discuss Saruman’s plans as recounted in the Council of Elrond. Do you think he is lying to Gandalf, or do you think he truly believes that he can still achieve his original purpose in the end?
Do Balrogs have wings?
The Elves as “Perilous and Fair”? Discuss the different approaches towards Galadriel from the different members of the Fellowship as they enter into Lothlorien, especially that of Gimli and Boromir.
How has Gimli’s heart softened towards the Elves? At what point did this change occur, and how is its timing significant?
How does Galadriel’s gift to Gimli mark the beginning of a renewed friendship between Dwarves and Elves?
Of all of Galadriel’s gifts, which stood out to you as the most interesting or meaningful? How did each gift correspond to its recipient, equipping them according to their needs?
Have you noticed any other characters in The Lord of the Rings thus far that remind you of Mary? If so, who and why?
Thoughts on Boromir: Do you feel sympathetic towards him? Do you find him relatable?
