Letter 246

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Letter 246
Recipient	Mrs. Eileen Elgar (drafts)
Date	September 1963
Subject(s)	Frodo's "failure" in the Cracks of Doom

Letter 246 is a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien and published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien.

This is a draft of a letter that was later sent to Mrs. Elgar on 3 October 1963, however the posted letter varies significantly from this draft.

Summary

In Tolkien's response, he addressed Frodo's inability to destroy the Ring voluntarily, explaining that while some readers saw this as a failure, it was, in his words, "a very important point". He noted that the Ring's destruction proceeded from the "logic of the tale" and that Frodo's failure underscored a deeper understanding of nobility. Tolkien did not see Frodo's breakdown as a moral failure, writing, "Clearly Frodo would never have been able to destroy the Ring voluntarily". Instead, his endurance to the limit highlighted true heroism in the face of overwhelming evil.

Grace and Mercy

Tolkien saw the quest's outcome as influenced by "grace", a form of divine intervention or providence, where Frodo's journey was completed by "the enhancement of his power by Providence". Tolkien noted that Frodo's "failure" was redeemed by the mercy he had previously shown Gollum, as it ultimately led to the Ring's destruction. Frodo's efforts created a "situation in which the object of his quest could be achieved". Tolkien expanded on this idea of grace by pointing out that individuals have "absolute limits upon our powers of action or endurance" and thus, Frodo's heroism lay in how he exhausted all he could give, even as grace brought about the final victory.

Frodo's limitations emphasised the difference between judging oneself and others. While we strive toward high ideals, we must temper our judgment of others with mercy, recognising individual strengths and weaknesses. Simple minds might view Frodo as a failure, but Tolkien urged readers to avoid that perspective; "Simple minds see Frodo as a 'failure' for not enduring to the end". He advised that this view "contains a fallacy: we must pursue an absolute ideal without compromise for ourselves, but for others, we must temper our judgment with mercy". Frodo achieved the utmost he was capable of, a form of heroic endurance that challenges a simplistic view of success or failure.

Sam's Limited Perspective

Samwise Gamgee exemplified a more limited view of the quest and Frodo's actions, particularly his mercy toward Gollum. Tolkien observed that Sam was a "little conceited" but that his loyalty had transformed this quality into devoted protection of Frodo. However, Sam's inability to understand Frodo's pity toward Gollum became, for Tolkien, the story's "most tragic moment". Tolkien explained that when Sam "failed to note the complete change in Gollum's tone and aspect" he "blighted" Gollum's potential repentance, setting in motion the events leading to Shelob's Lair and further trials.

Gollum's Possible Redemption

Tolkien speculated on what might have happened had Gollum been redeemed through love for Frodo. He mused that Gollum, if driven by a conflict between his love for Frodo and the Ring's pull, might have "voluntarily cast himself into the fire" as a final act of service to Frodo. Tolkien imagined that if Gollum had glimpsed Sauron's evil and recognised his own inability to wield the Ring, he might have chosen to destroy it and himself as an ultimate sacrifice. In such a scenario, Frodo's "revelation of Gollum" would have led him to understand the full nature of the Ring's evil, but this revelation only came about through Gollum's sudden intervention, guided by the hand of grace rather than pure intention.

Frodo Claiming the Ring

In an alternative sequence Tolkien claimed to have considered, Frodo might have claimed the Ring and faced the Ringwraiths directly, who would have attempted to sway him by feigning obedience due to their allegiance to the Ring's master. Tolkien likened this scenario to "a small brave man with a devastating weapon facing eight savage warriors of great strength and agility". Frodo's unfamiliarity with the Ring would render him vulnerable to their manipulation. The Ringwraiths would likely call him "Lord" and lead him to "go look upon his new kingdom" waiting for the inevitable moment when Sauron would reclaim the Ring.

The Rings Influence on Others

Tolkien also reflected on the consequences for Gandalf or Galadriel if either had attempted to wield the Ring. In Lothlórien Galadriel appeared to believe that she could wield the Ring and supplant Sauron but she knew it was not so; her rejection of the Ring was based on previous thought and resolve. Had she or Elrond used the Ring they would have built great armies under absolutely subservient generals and gone to destroy Sauron by force. Gandalf as Ring-lord would have been a contest between the Ring's true allegiance to Sauron versus Gandalf's actually possession of the Ring. But if Gandalf had been the victor it would have been far worse than Sauron winning. The "righteous" Gandalf would have become self-righteous, ruling and ordering things for "good" until he had made good detestable and seem evil.