Pippin must have learned his Gollum Impression from Bilbo

[CirdanLinweilin]

Probably one of my favorite random things about TLotR is the fact that
a) Pippin did a Gollum impression in the books
b) Pippin had never MET Gollum before that point and never would
c) yet it was an ACCURATE impression, as it startled and was recognized by the orc he was speaking to
d) the only possible explanation for Pippin Took’s accurate Gollum impression is this: Bilbo, while telling stories to the eager children, must have imitated Gollum perfectly. Which also kind of drives home how weird it would have been for both Frodo and Sam to suddenly be travelling with what was basically the equivilent of like... rumplestiltskin... from their childhood bedtime stories.

CL

Or, or, the effects of the Ring upon Bilbo must have driven the old Hobbit to a more authentic "Gollum-ness" the longer he had the ring, and he had it until his 111th birthday.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

I much prefer your first explanation. 😁

 

[CirdanLinweilin]

I much prefer your first explanation. 😁

As do I.


CL

 

[Radaghast]

Well, if Bilbo didn't tell of his adventures orally he certainly wrote them down in a book. All four LotR hobbits are well-versed in Bilbo's adventures.

 

[Olorgando]

My guess goes more to the Council of Elrond, where Bilbo, when it's his turn, apparently gives the Council the entire account of TH - the 1951 second edition version, mind you, which is how JRRT reconciled these two contradictory versions, the contradictions being centered on the Bilbo-Gollum confrontation.

 

[CirdanLinweilin]

My guess goes more to the Council of Elrond, where Bilbo, when it's his turn, apparently gives the Council the entire account of TH - the 1951 second edition version, mind you, which is how JRRT reconciled these two contradictory versions, the contradictions being centered on the Bilbo-Gollum confrontation.

That is also a good point. I didn't think of that!

CL

 

[Ent]

the contradictions being centered on the Bilbo-Gollum confrontation.

However - (yes, there's sometimes a however) -
It's hard for me to imagine, at the stately nature of a Council like that, Bilbo stooping to going "in character" and mimicking Gollum to all those dignitaries to perfection. Would have been socially 'out of place' - something I don't see in Bilbo, the 'respectable' hobbit.

I reside with the first explanation - Bilbo telling his stories to the children. There, it would have been very natural for him to generate as much 'creepiness' as possible.

 

[Radaghast]

My guess goes more to the Council of Elrond, where Bilbo, when it's his turn, apparently gives the Council the entire account of TH - the 1951 second edition version, mind you, which is how JRRT reconciled these two contradictory versions, the contradictions being centered on the Bilbo-Gollum confrontation.

But Pippin was not at the Council, was he? 😕

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

Correct -- and M&P were "indignant" that Sam was allowed to stay.

Considering Bilbo's performance at the Council, where he "did not omit a single riddle", it seems unlikely Bilbo would need much persuading to repeat it for the two hobbits, where he'd be relaxed enough to do some "voice impersonations".

I still like the image of Bilbo surrounded by hobbit children at Bag End, though. 😃

 

[Olorgando]

But Pippin was not at the Council, was he? 😕

Oops, right, only Bilbo and Frodo were invited, while (only) Sam snuck in. 🫢
Then again it was two full months after the Council before the Fellowship left Rivendell.
Pippin was 11 when Bilbo left the Shire at the long-expected party, so he might have heard it from Bilbo before then. But Bilbo could very well have repeated it to Merry and Pippin after the Council. Leave it to Pippin to remember such a thing but be absolutely blank on stuff like maps ... 😁

 

[Erestor Arcamen]

 

[Radaghast]

I don't know if either Bilbo or Pippin would have had to mimic Gollum perfectly. It's not long after Pippin says, "Gollum, gollum" that Grishnakh is spitted by a Rohirrim spear and he didn't seem to show any particular reaction to Pippin imitating Gollum.

 

[CirdanLinweilin]

I don't know if either Bilbo or Pippin would have had to mimic Gollum perfectly. It's not long after Pippin says, "Gollum, gollum" that Grishnakh is spitted by a Rohirrim spear and he didn't seem to show any particular reaction to Pippin imitating Gollum.

That is true, it's been a while since I have read Two Towers. I still am re reading Fellowship.


CL