Frodo no longer really fits into the Shire. Unlike Bilbo, he did not return from his adventure with riches, nor does he enjoy the celebrity he has gained. He gets ill every October 6th and March 25th, dates corresponding to his getting stabbed by the Nazgûl and the Ring getting destroyed respectively. Coincidentally, Sam's firstborn is born on March 25th. Frodo is stuck in the past, even as the future rolls on.
The One Ring is destroyed. The lesser rings of power that still exist, the ones possessed by the Elves and Gandalf, are diminished, essentially dormant relics of a bygone age. Indeed, the Third Age of Middle Earth is ending, and the time of the rings is over. Gandalf and the remaining Elves will leave Middle Earth, along with two other Ringbearers - Bilbo and Frodo. They will go to the titular "Grey Havens."
But life goes on for those remaining. Sam marries Rosie Cotton and has more children while Merry and Pippin enjoy their celebrity status, throwing parties and wearing their war-gear for fun. We are told:
Altogether 1420 in the Shire was a marvelous year. Not only was there wonderful
sunshine and delicious rain, in due times and perfect measure, but there seemed something more:
an air of richness and growth, and a gleam of a beauty beyond that of mortal summers
that flicker and pass upon this Middle-earth. All the children born or begotten in that year,
and there were many, were fair to see and strong, and most of them had a rich golden hair that
had before been rare among hobbits. The fruit was so plentiful that young hobbits very
nearly bathed in strawberries and cream; and later they sat on the lawns under the plum-trees
and ate, until they had made piles of stones like small pyramids or the heaped
skulls of a conqueror, and then they moved on. And no one was ill,
and everyone was pleased, except those who had to mow the grass.
sunshine and delicious rain, in due times and perfect measure, but there seemed something more:
an air of richness and growth, and a gleam of a beauty beyond that of mortal summers
that flicker and pass upon this Middle-earth. All the children born or begotten in that year,
and there were many, were fair to see and strong, and most of them had a rich golden hair that
had before been rare among hobbits. The fruit was so plentiful that young hobbits very
nearly bathed in strawberries and cream; and later they sat on the lawns under the plum-trees
and ate, until they had made piles of stones like small pyramids or the heaped
skulls of a conqueror, and then they moved on. And no one was ill,
and everyone was pleased, except those who had to mow the grass.
How hard is it to mow the grass? Not very. But if life is idyllic, any work probably feels worse than it is. But if it isn't done, would life still be idyllic? And given the rural nature of the Shire, cut grass is of particular importance!
When we consider utopias we tend to assume they are somehow self-sufficient. Everyone is happy and comfortable and no one really has "jobs". But of course that's a bridge too far for the real world. Jobs will always need to be done. A good world requires maintenance. How important is it, then, to appreciate those who allow the rest of us live so well?
I find a parallel between this passage and what we discussed in the first chapter, and it is fitting to end revisiting the important concept of seeing everyone. The modern world works because of so much behind-the-scenes maintenance. We see this best when that maintenance breaks down. Unfixed potholes, food and product recalls, NAZIs and other hatemongers being given space in the metaphorical public square, blackouts, cell coverage dead zones, empty Wikipedia pages. So much of our world works well - until it doesn't - and the underlying fragility becomes all too obvious.
It is important to notice and show kindness to those who upkeep our society. Learn the names of the facility workers of the places you frequent, or wave to the trash collectors and street cleaners, or call out people and businesses on Twitter for doing the right thing, not just the wrong thing.
It is also important to remember our own role in that upkeep. While some people's actual jobs directly support our society, that doesn't excuse the rest of us from having a part. And if, as our text suggests, the work required to maintain a modern society is at least mildly unpleasant, then the work should be shared as much as possible. Our society is not built on the backs of an unlucky underclass, but is created by the people, for the people. This work is all of ours, and that's the real lesson of seeing everyone. Beyond seeing them for who they are, try to see yourself in them.
This was a Patreon project, but it's done now, so there's no need to contribute anything. Thanks for reading!
It is important to notice and show kindness to those who upkeep our society. Learn the names of the facility workers of the places you frequent, or wave to the trash collectors and street cleaners, or call out people and businesses on Twitter for doing the right thing, not just the wrong thing.
It is also important to remember our own role in that upkeep. While some people's actual jobs directly support our society, that doesn't excuse the rest of us from having a part. And if, as our text suggests, the work required to maintain a modern society is at least mildly unpleasant, then the work should be shared as much as possible. Our society is not built on the backs of an unlucky underclass, but is created by the people, for the people. This work is all of ours, and that's the real lesson of seeing everyone. Beyond seeing them for who they are, try to see yourself in them.
This was a Patreon project, but it's done now, so there's no need to contribute anything. Thanks for reading!
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