The Mystery of Gollum’s Finger: An Unanswered Question in Tolkien’s Tale

In J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece, ldquo;The Lord of the Rings,rdquo; Gollum and the One Ring have become iconic elements. One fascinating aspect of the story involves Gollum's appearance. Many fans and scholars have delved into the details of his transformation, but a lesser-known question pertains to his finger. This article sheds light on the mystery of Gollum's finger and explores why it was not a concern in the narrative.

The Ring’s Origin and Gollum’s Fate

A. The Discovery of the Ring

Bilbo Baggins, the protagonist of ldquo;The Hobbit,rdquo; discovered the One Ring during his adventure with the dwarves. However, there is no mention in Tolkien's works of the Ring falling out of Gollum's possession or causing him to lose his finger. This means that Gollum's condition was a result of his obsession with the Ring rather than an accident.

B. Gollum’s Obsession and Transformation

Gollum, also known as Sméagol, found the Ring many years ago and became increasingly obsessed with its power. His transformation from an unruly hobbit-like creature to the twisted and secretive Gollum we see in ldquo;The Lord of the Ringsrdquo; is a direct result of his prolonged use and possession of the Ring.

No Loss of Finger Involved

A. Bilbo’s and Gollum’s Relationship

Bilbo and Gollum had a tense and antagonistic relationship during their encounter in the tunnel under the Misty Mountains. Bilbo found the Ring not because Gollum had lost it or dropped it, but rather because he had taken it from the dragon Smaug and later stolen it from Gollum during a game of riddles.

B. The Absence of Finger Loss in Tolkien’s Text

In the narrative, Gollum's condition is not attributed to any physical injury or loss of digit. His appearance in ldquo;The Lord of the Ringsrdquo; is already that of a physically deformed creature due to his long-term addiction to the Ring's influence.

Concluding the Mystery

A. No Regrowth Needed

Given that Gollum had no finger to regrow, the question of his regaining a finger after the Ring was taken is irrelevant. His physical appearance in Tolkien's tales is already a product of his long-standing possession of the Ring and the dark powers it bestowed upon Sméagol.

B. The Impact of the Ring’s Absence

Without the Ring, Gollum's mental and physical health would have deteriorated further, but there is no indication in Tolkien’s work of him needing to regrow a finger. His condition likely would have worsened, but he would still be recognizable as the creature that had previously found and possessed the Ring.

Conclusion

Tolkien's rich and intricate narratives often leave much to the imagination, and the mystery of Gollum's finger is just one of those facets. The story of ldquo;The Lord of the Ringsrdquo; is filled with complex characters and events, and the absence of a finger in Gollum's tale should be understood within the context of the Ring's influence. Gollum's physical appearance and transformation are the true mysteries in this epic story.