Why Does Frodo Forget His Early Years in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey?

The confusion surrounding Frodo's memory in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a complex issue, often leading to many questions about the memory issues in the Hobbit's narrative due to differences between the books and the films. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this memory loss, as seen in the film adaptation and draw comparisons with the original work by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Understanding the Context

Contextualizing the Question: The film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is part of a trilogy directed by Peter Jackson, known for his adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. However, this film adaptation does not include direct input from Tolkien in its screenplay. Therefore, any depiction of Frodo's memory loss in the film is a creation of Peter Jackson and his team, whereas in the books, Frodo retains his early memories.

Frodo's Early Years and Rememberance in the Books

According to J.R.R. Tolkien's original work, Frodo does not appear in The Hobbit, and Bilbo's unexpected journey occurs around 30 years before Frodo's birth. Therefore, Frodo does not witness the events of The Hobbit. In the books, Frodo has vivid memories of the years before his birth, none of which include the events of The Hobbit.

Memory Retention in "The Hobbit" Book

The Hobbit itself does not involve Frodo or any of the events that occur before his 30th birthday. The memories Frodo does have are those from his own youthful days. For example, Bilbo's memory is sharp even several months after the meeting in Bag End, where he negotiated the Bilbo Bagins (title), reciting the terms of the contract word-for-word without having to refer to it. This shows that Bilbo's memory is intact and not affected by the events described in the film adaptation.

Memory Loss in the Film Adaptation

In the film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Frodo is portrayed as forgetting his early days, including the Middle-earth's background and the events of Bilbo's adventure. This change in memory was likely made for several cinematic reasons. One of the main reasons was to create a sense of mysticism and to introduce Frodo as a blank slate who discovers Middle-earth and its history through his journey with Bilbo.

Comparing the Books and the Films

The disconnect in Frodo's memory between the books and the film adaptation is significant. In the films, Jackson and his team aimed to create a cohesive narrative that could be understood by a broad audience, integrating the events of the Hobbit trilogy with those of the Lord of the Rings. While in the books, Frodo's memories are clear and extended over decades, the film adaptation simplifies his past to fit the new narrative structure.

Conclusion

Hence, when Frodo appears to forget his early years in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, it is a deliberate narrative choice made by director Peter Jackson. In contrast, in the original works by J.R.R. Tolkien, Frodo retains a clear and detailed memory of his early days. The films take liberties in creating a new, more accessible story for cinema-goers, while the books preserve the rich, detailed continuity of the characters and events within the Middle-earth setting.