— Ch. 1 · The Scouring Narrative Arc —
The Scouring of the Shire.
~8 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
Frodo Baggins and his three companions, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took, arrive at the Brandywine Bridge late one night. They find the bridge barred by Shiriffs who act as a local police force under Saruman's rule. The hobbits are shocked to see endless new rules, ugly buildings replacing old ones, and trees cut down without reason. Sam recognizes one of the guards and tells him he should be ashamed for joining such nonsense. The cheerful inns are all closed, forcing the group to stay in a depressing, badly-built Shiriff-house. The next morning they ride toward Hobbiton but meet more Shiriffs at Frogmorton who try to arrest them for breaking rules. Unable to keep up with their ponies, the guards let the hobbits pass. At Bywater, they discover Sandyman's mill has been replaced by a noisy machine that fouls water and pollutes air. Ted Sandyman is the only hobbit who likes it because he works there now while his father was once his own boss. Merry, Pippin, and Sam use swords and height to scare away ruffians. They decide to raise the Shire. Merry blows a magic horn given to him by Éowyn of Rohan. Sam recruits Tom Cotton and his sons to rally the village. Cotton explains wagonloads of goods including tobacco have been sent away causing shortages. These were paid for with unexplained funds by Lotho Sackville-Baggins known as Chief or Boss who moved into Frodo's home Bag End when Frodo left on quest. Pippin rides to Tuckborough to rally his kin the large Took clan. A gang of twenty ruffians from Hobbiton tries to take farmer Cotton prisoner. Their leader dies under arrows and others surrender quickly. The next morning hobbits learn Thain Paladin II raised Tookland pursuing fleeing ruffians south. Pippin returns with one hundred family members before larger group arrives. Merry and Pippin lead victory in brief Battle of Bywater. They ambush ruffians blocking high-hedged lane with wagons front and back. Most ruffians killed. Frodo does not fight.
Formal Structure And Origins
Tolkien scholars note that The Scouring of the Shire implies formal structure for entire work. Critic Bernhard Hirsch writes chapter provoked considerable critical debate unlike rest homeward journey in Book 6. Hirsch accepts Tolkien statement in foreword to Fellowship of Ring that formal structure meant chapter along other two return chapters was foreseen from outset. Another critic Nicholas Birns notes approvingly David Waito argument that chapter is morally important as main quest but applies morals to daily life. Scholar Paul Kocher writes Frodo having thrown aside weapons chooses to fight only moral plane in Shire. Birns argues chapter has important formal role overall composition as Tolkien stated. In Birns view main surprise appearance Saruman indeed his presence made necessary scouring Shire. Evidence Tolkien planned something found Sam vision future Shire peril when looks Mirror Galadriel Lothlorien Fellowship Ring. Scholars identify several possible origins antecedents chapter added Christopher Tolkien exploration literary history father work years. Scholars agree Scouring ancient pedigree echoing Homer Odyssey long years away Odysseus returns home island Ithaca scour Penelope worthless suitors. Robert Plank adds Tolkien could chosen pattern any number returning heroes. Theme last obstacle heroic homecoming paradoxically both long-planned certainly time writing Lothlorien chapter late entry person Saruman-as-Sharkey. David Greenman contrasts scouring Tuor Aeneas-like escape wrecked kingdom told Fall Gondolin. Earlier drafts show Tolkien considered giving Frodo far more energetic part confronting Sharkey ruffians. These throw light choice who Sharkey actually was whether boss hobbit Lotho Sackville-Baggins human leader gang ruffians or Saruman. Tolkien hesitated implement Scouring arriving Saruman trying other options. Birns argues effect brings consequentiality abroad including Isengard where Saruman strong back parochialism home not only scouring strengthening with Merry Pippin world citizens.