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sador
Half-elven
Nov 22 2012, 1:17pm
Views: 2772
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I really like the dwarves singing in Bag End about breaking all of Bilbo's plates. Do you suppose they stole his silver spoons during the ruckuss, instead of Lobelia? The dwarves? No, of course not. However, Bilbo took the opportunity when he was "recovering from his fit" to steal their music instruments! That would show Gloin! So my question is: do you suppose the omission of songs was deliberate on JRR's part, or was he just so focused on other aspects of writing the chapters that he didn't think of adding songs/poetry? I'm not sure. From my limited knowledge, I think light-hearted verse came easier to Tolkien, even if he tried to write serious poetry. So perhaps your second suggestion is correct. I think Gandalf expects that when Bilbo gets back to the Shire, he'll revert to his Baggins self, so he's surprised and pleased to see that the Took hasn't died out in him upon his return. Interesting. I always took the surprise to be somewhat feigned. I admit, though, I don't have any good textual basis for this assumption. In the beginning of LOTR, Bilbo is tormented inside. Is this entirely from the Ring, or is he unable later in life to make peace between his Baggins and Took characteristics, or is the Ring exploiting those differences as his weak spot? Tolkien intended it to be the Ring, of course. From this chapter, there is no hint that he will ever be unhappy - it rather seems that he will live happily and in content to the end of his days (although it is up to us to guess whether he will ever get married).
"As all things come to an end, even this story..." Here we read of Bilbo, who is “quiet and drowsy”, that “every now and again he would open one eye” and listen to Gandalf’s tale. Is Tolkien deliberately echoing this passage in LOTR when he writes, “At that Bilbo opened an eye, almost as if he had heard … ‘You see, I am getting so sleepy’, he said.”? - N.E. Brigand The weekly discussion of The Hobbit is back. Join us in the Reading Room for The Return Journey!
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Time
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The Last Stage, part III - Poetry and Prose
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sador
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Nov 15 2012, 9:23am
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“Picaresque” – nice!
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squire
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Nov 18 2012, 1:25am
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I'm glad you like it.
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sador
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Nov 19 2012, 8:57am
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Songs and tales
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FarFromHome
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Nov 19 2012, 11:26am
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Thanks for the links!
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sador
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Nov 21 2012, 10:50am
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Tour de force
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CuriousG
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Nov 20 2012, 7:48am
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Good point
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FarFromHome
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Nov 21 2012, 10:20am
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Thank you!
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sador
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Nov 22 2012, 1:17pm
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*What* goes ever on and on?
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squire
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Nov 22 2012, 6:13am
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Nice analysis!
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sador
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Nov 22 2012, 6:21pm
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Truth and fiction
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FarFromHome
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Nov 23 2012, 11:36am
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