The Sheila Variations

More LOTR...

One of the characters a bit short-changed by the film (at least in terms of the largeness of his part in the book) is Faramir.

Faramir has quickly become one of my all-time favorite characters I have met in these books. The actor they cast to play him was perfect, I think - because the kindness, and the sadness of his face filled in all the details you needed. Just looking at him - you knew he was kind. And also capable of great bravery. But that there was a sadness there as well. The casting did all the work. (This is not a criticism. This is praise. 90% of any successful film is casting well.)

But reading the book - and just coming out of the extraordinary sequence when Faramir and his men come across Frodo and Sam and Gollum (well, at first it's just Frodo and Sam - they see Gollum splashing about in the pool later that night) - I see how much was left out.

Faramir, so far, is the character who has "gotten" to me at the deepest level. There's something about how he speaks - and how he and Frodo circle around one another warily - testing each other - a battle of the wills ... But again - I think that Faramir has a type of language, a type of speech, not used by other characters in the book as of yet, and I am sure that this is deliberate.

It's very emotional, very portentous ... It got me at my throat, if you catch my meaning.

The scene in the secret cave with the men of Gondor is, so far, one of my favorite ones in the whole book - and it's not even really included in the movie. Faramir is unfolding in the book as one of its most sympathetic and interesting characters.

Here's the scene in the cave - when Frodo finally reveals that he carries the One Ring.

"Alas for Boromir! It was too sore a trial!" [Faramir] said. "How you have increased my sorrow, you two strange wanderers from a far country, bearing the peril of Men! But you are less judges of Men than I of Halflings. We are truth-speakers, we men of Gondor. We boast seldom, and then perform, or die in the attempt. Not if I found it on the highway would I take it I said. Even if I wsere suc h a man as to desire this thing, and even though I knew not clearly what this thing was when I spoke, still I should take those words as a vow, and be held by them.

But I am not such a man. Or I am wise enough to know that there are some perils from which a man must flee. Sit at peace! And be comforted, Samwise. If you seem to have stumbled, thing that it was fated to be so. Your heart is shrewd as well as faithful, and saw clearer than your eyes. For strange though it may seem, it was safe to declare this to me. It may even help the master that you love. It shall turn to his good, if it is in my power. So be comforted. But do not even name this thing again aloud. Once is enough."

The hobbits came back to their seats and sat very quiet...

"Well, Frodo, now at last we understand one another," said Faramir. "If you took this thing on yourself, unwilling, at others' asking, then you have pity and honour from me. And I marvel at you: to keep it hid and not to use it. You are a new people and a new world to me. Are all your kin of like sort? Your land must be a realm of peace and content, and there must gardeners be in high honour."

"Not all is well there," said Frodo, "but certainly gardeners are honoured."

"But folk must grow weary there, even in their gardens, as do all things under the Sun of this world. And you are far from home and wayworn. No more tonight. Sleep, both of you - in peace, if you can. Fear not! I do not wish to see it, or touch it, or know more of it than I know (which is enough), lest peril perchance waylay me and I fall lower in the test than Frodo son of Drogo. Go now to rest - but first tell me only, if you will, whither you wish to go, and what to do. For I must watch, and wait, and think. Time passes. In the morning we must each go swiftly on the ways appointed to us."

Frodo had felt himself trembling as the first shock of fear passed. Now a great weariness came down on him like a cloud. He could dissemble and resist no longer.

"I was going to find a way into Mordor," he said faintly. "I was going to Gorgoroth. I must find the Mountain of Fire and cast the thing into the gulf of Doom. Gandalf said so. I do not think I shall ever get there."

Faramir stared at him for a moment in grave astonishment. Then suddenly he caught him as he swayed, and lifting him gently, carried him to the bed and laid him there, and covered him warmly. At once he fell into a deep sleep.

Another bed was set beside him for his servant. Sam hesitated for a moment, then bowing very low: "Good night, Captain, my lord," he said. "You took the chance, sir."

"Did I so?" said Faramir.

"Yes sir, and showed your quality: the very highest."

Faramir smiled. "A pert servant, Master Samwise. But nay: the praise of the praiseworthy is above all rewards. Yet there was naught in this to praise. I had no lure or desire to do other than I have done."

"Ah well, sir," said Sam, "you said my master had an elvish air; and that was good and true. But I can say this: you have an air too, sir, that reminds me of, of -- well, Gandalf, of wizards."

"Maybe," said Faramir. "Maybe you discern from far away the air of Numenor. Good night!"