This chapter is a character vehicle for Faramir. I like Jacob's comparison of Faramir to Frodo -- they do have many things in common, not least of which is a responsibility that has been pushed upon them by terrible circumstance. But this chapter also serves as meticulous set-up for the major conflict of Book V -- Denethor and Gandalf. We'll get to that in due course, but this exposition serves as groundwork for that conflict, which I believe to be the most intricate, tragic, and real conflict of the series. All of the chit-chat in this chapter does feel a bit clunky, but it's necessary to lay that stage which, if I recall correctly, will pay off big in the next book.
But back to Faramir. The backstory of Numenor, Gondor, and the Stewards serves to highlight Faramir's role in the conflict: kings of Numenor, driven to the shores of Middle-earth, mix with lesser men to form the kingdom of Gondor, until those kings too are extinct and the Stewards must step in, mixing themselves once again with their lessers to maintain parity in the never-ending struggle against Sauron. And now Faramir, second son of the Steward of Gondor, has been thrown into a leadership role we sense is unwanted, fighting a war that is, ultimately, distasteful to him, serving in a position that should have been filled by the eager shoes of Boromir. His brother's untimely death has allowed him to rise to power, but it in a way places him squarely in the center of that downward spiral of diminishing glory of the Numenoreans: he will always be the second choice, no peer to Boromir's bravery, ability to lead, and strength of arms. Faramir sees in himself the decay and dissipation of Gondor.
Of course, Frodo and Sam sense quite the opposite in him: something more and better than Boromir could ever hope to aspire to. Sam compares his quiet strength to that of Gandalf. Faramir (one senses) would be more eager to study history and magic under the tutelage of Gandalf (indeed, one of the accusations Denethor levels at his second son in the next book is the title of "wizard's pupil") than leading men into combat. And, naturally, when the opportunity presents itself to him, Faramir considers and then rejects the pull of the Ring and agrees that Frodo must be free to follow his course to Mordor. It's unclear whether or not Faramir realizes the danger of what would happen if Sauron were to seize the Ring from Frodo, but what is sure is that he has no desire for power. The Ring's influence is not even suggested in this chapter, except possibly in that brief moment when he stands to loom over the hobbits after Sam's ridiculous (and unfortunately characteristic) slip o' the tongue. Gandalf and Galadriel react quite differently when the Ring is within their power; even Gandalf has a desire to use the Ring to lead others to victory and defeat Sauron. Faramir, it seems has no such ambitions. He only desires to defend, not to attack or destroy. A fascinating counterpoint to the temptations of Gandalf and Galadriel both.
For someone who was bookish and fairly unassuming as a child, Faramir was instantly relatable and was one of my favorite characters in the entire series. It's a shame he is cast aside in Book 6, but after the Denethor plotline is resolved it seems that Tolkien didn't know what to do with him anymore. But he is engaging and fascinating while he is a central character. I'll discuss it more when we watch the film, but Faramir in Jackon's film is almost entirely unrecognizable; basically a Boromir clone, who chooses to give up the Ring for no discernable reason. It's probably Jackson's worst misstep. I also love the history lesson, told through his eyes, The stories he touches on are fleshed out considerably in the Appendicies and I hope we'll take the time to read and comment on them.
On to the Forbidden Pool! Frodo lays it all out for Faramir here; his hopes and fears. Unfortunately he blows it in the next chapter.
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