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

A Shadow of Fear

3/15/07

"there is some shadow of fear upon you"

-- Gildor the Elf, to Frodo (Fellowship, p. 90)

The shadow of fear can be seen in the look on Frodo's face

Tolkien's use of the word shadow is instructive.

This illustration, by John Howe, effectively shows the fear Frodo feels

It is one of those words that he layered with meaning. He layered images with meaning, and he layered words with meaning.

Here shadow is the outward look of fear on Frodo's face and in the way he carried himself.

Frodo had just had a close encounter with a Black Rider. He did not yet know what a Black Rider was, but the Hobbit was scared anyway.

So Frodo asked the Elves if the Hobbits could join them.

At first he was rebuffed. The leader of the Elves wanted to know more. For "there is some shadow of fear upon you" (Fellowship, p. 90, emphasis mine).

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