Group 3 - Book I, Chapter 3, "Three Is Company"
Passage: " '... at any rate, I have found a good home for this!' said Frodo, as he drained his glass. It was the last drop of Old Winyards."
Question: Why does Tolkien mention this is the last of this vintage?
With both the passage and the question in mind, it was decided that Tolkien decided to keep this seemingly meaningless passage within the text because it establishes that Frodo is appreciating the life that he's about to leave behind once he undertakes this massive quest. Furthermore, it kind of foreshadows that once the hobbit returns from his journey, he won't be able to enjoy the vintage the same as he once could because he is no longer the same person. There is also a sense of irony in the fact that the Old Winyards found a "home" within Frodo and yet, once he accomplishes what he set out to do, along with the other members of the fellowship, Frodo lacks a sense of home.
It is really interesting to see how everything that J.R.R. Tolkien decided to put within his stories had meaning. Knowing that what we are reading is not just "filler" context but actually has a place within the text only makes reading his works more fun and engaging.
I completely agree with you! All of the random details are thrown in for a reason and I feel like these details make the story and characters so much more real for readers.I will say these details seem pointless until you reread a chapter or book because you don't catch their significance until reading through again.
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