Symbolic and Mythic Expression
in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings

A Strange Chance

2/22/07

"This is indeed a strange chance!'"

-- Frodo, on encountering High-Elves in the Shire (Fellowship, p. 89)

Elves coming along as a Black Rider was crawling its way towards Frodo is an expression of supernatural providence.

Frodo and Sam watch the Elves at a distance

High-Elves were not common so encountering them was not a likely event.

However, unlikely events happen. It is not likely for someone to be struck by lightning, but some people are.

The unlikelihood of meeting the High-Elves is therefore not to be taken as evidence of supernatural providence.

Rather the rarity of the event accentuates the expression.

Frodo noted the odds against the encounter with the High-Elves. "This is indeed a strange chance!'" (Fellowship, p. 89).

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