"Shelob's Lair" - Eric's Thoughts

Frodo and Sam, after beating back an unseen beast with light, and cut through a swath of giant cobwebs that ricochet when struck with an ordinary sword, the hobbits emerge from the cave. Frodo in his desire to get away, separates from Sam. Shelob strikes. Just when you think it couldn't get any worse, it does. Gollum strikes. The point of view of Sam in this chapter plays a critical role in ratcheting up the tension--not only is Sam fighting for his own life, but he is engaged in a struggle that has a clear ticking clock -- Sam must not only defeat Gollum, but do it quickly so he can help Frodo. This is storytelling done well: make things worse, give a brief glimmer of hope, and then make things even worse.

As my fellow readers note, this chapter is the climax of the entire Two Towers. The hobbits face the dragon in its lair, so to speak, and Gollum reveals himself as a true villain. One can only wonder how the outcome might have changed if Sam's treatment of Gollum was different. That is why Gollum presents such an interesting antagonist -- it's not clear whether the creature had any hope at all, or whether this had been his rotten plan all along and nothing the hobbits did could have stopped its execution. It is the continued ambiguity in Gollum that partly makes this chapter so tragic and compelling.

I notice that Jacob believes this chapter stands up as well as Khazad-Dum and Knife in the Dark (and the Voice of Saruman). I agree. The four chapters Jacob mentions (including this one) are probably among my favorite as well. What's particularly interesting to me is the similarities between the four chapters and why they are so compelling:

1. Characters stripped of senses: Three of the four chapters take place at night, in the dark
2. Claustrophobia: Two of the chapters are literally claustrophobic, involving tunnels and caves (Bridge and Shelob). Knife in the dark is arguably claustrophobic as well for the simple reason that the hobbits are trapped on a hill, and are surrounded by dangerous beings closing in fast
3. Superhuman villains: all four chapters present incredibly dangerous antagonists and otherworldly beings that present an immediate danger to the protagonists in their own way
4. Success comes only at great price: Knife in the dark involved Frodo getting stabbed and almost later dying from that wound; Bridge cost the Company Gandalf himself; the Voice is tragic in that the loss of Saruman becomes final -- Saruman rejects Gandalf's overtures to cast away evil and join them; Shelob's Lair costs Frodo and Sam their guide, Gollum rejects the call to good, and Frodo himself falls victim to Shelob.

Further, each chapter presents a resolution to a strong dramatic question: Is Gollum bad (the reader suspects, but does not know for sure, whether he will betray Frodo)? When will the black riders actually strike, and what will their attack be like? What does the beating of the drums mean (it certainly can't be good)? Will Saruman turn anyone with his renowned Voice; and, when Gandalf tries to flip the script, will Saruman give up the mantle and find redemption among his old friends?

Tolkien answers each of those questions in the worst possible way: yes, Gollum is evil. Yes, the black riders are extremely dangerous and have weapons where a mere puncture will not only kill you, but blacken your very soul. Yes, a giant monster who is superior to Gandalf is behind the beating of the drums. No, Saruman cannot accept the redemption and forgiveness of his friends.

Shelob's Lair, like the other great chapters before it, contain the elements that make a chapter truly great to read: it preys on our darkest fears of monsters, darkness, claustrophobia, and our very guides through them all either vanishing or turning against us.