Today's focus is The Two Towers. As before, I look at themes by category.
Gollum/Smeagol and the dual nature of man
The Two Towers is the first time we get a good look at Gollum, the creature who found the ring years (centuries?) ago. He was "not so very different than a hobbit once," but the corrupting power of the ring has turned him into a monster of sorts. His original name was Smeagol, and that 'other nature' is still inside him, albeit deeply. Throughout the film, you see his dual natures fight with each other as he debates whether to help (or hurt) the Hobbits.
Smeagol/Gollum is a wonderful illustration of the warring of the flesh and spirit as discussed in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or in Romans 7:15-25. Romans 7:21-23 in particular describes the struggle in this miserable creature:
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
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| Gollum |
This film looks at depth between the relationships of Frodo, Sam, and Gollum/Smeagol. Sam is ever supportive of Frodo- a much-needed companion to the troubled ringbearer. Gollum is with them in their quest, and is treated quite differently by the two hobbits. Frodo- who now bears the burden that was once Gollum's- is much more empathetic to the creature than Sam. Sam is often judgmental, quick to anger, and lacks any compassion in his dealings with Gollum.
Their interactions remind me of Luke 7:36-50, where Jesus is speaking about a women in much need of forgiveness who's showing him great love. His point is verse 47: "Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
Frodo, well familiar with Gollum's struggles because he shares in them, is able to love him more easily than Sam, who feels superior because he's ignorant of the struggle. Yet we're all fallen and tempted in many ways . . . when we realize how much we need forgiveness and grace, we more easily give it to others. Effectively, we learn empathy for the fallen when acquainted with our own shortcomings.
The 'Order' of Life
Theoden, king of Rohan, awakes from his magical stupor to find his son dead. He delivers two excellent quotes:
On War
The Two Towers is the first place we see significant battles- the Battle of Helm's Deep chief among them. And it's not pleasant. “War will make corpses of us all,” remarks one character. Well said.
On Stories
Towards the end, Sam and Frodo have a great exchange about stories:
Conclusion
The Two Towers was, like its predecessor, a great film. It had a lot of good themes and points to ponder.
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| Frodo (left) and Sam |
The 'Order' of Life
Theoden, king of Rohan, awakes from his magical stupor to find his son dead. He delivers two excellent quotes:
"Alas that these evil days should be mine. The young perish and the old linger."Losing one of my children is my primary fear in this world. I mourn with those who have experienced this horror.
"No parent should have to bury their child."
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| Theoden mourns for his son |
On War
The Two Towers is the first place we see significant battles- the Battle of Helm's Deep chief among them. And it's not pleasant. “War will make corpses of us all,” remarks one character. Well said.
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| Helm's Deep |
On Stories
Towards the end, Sam and Frodo have a great exchange about stories:
Frodo: I can’t do this, Sam.Stories are powerful, and perhaps all stories reflect upon the main story of this world (as discussed in Storied Leadership): "perfection distorted and restored." Our hope is in Jesus (see Titus 2:11-14), who created and is reconciling all things to himself (see Colossians 1:15-20).
Sam: I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.
Frodo: What are we holding onto, Sam?
Sam: That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo… and it’s worth fighting for.
Conclusion
The Two Towers was, like its predecessor, a great film. It had a lot of good themes and points to ponder.
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