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The One Ring Forums: Tolkien Topics: Movie Discussion: The Hobbit:
shovels

Cirashala
Valinor


Mar 6 2013, 11:28pm


Views: 217
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shovels [In reply to] Can't Post
First, I would like to say that I have seen it 19 times and didn't see the bunny staring contest-will have to look out for that!

As to the shovel question-I am an avid camper and my dad was a leader of something similar to boy scouts but through our church denomination, and I can answer your shovel question.

Top reasons dwarves would carry shovels-

1. They are an absolute MUST for campfires (and fireworks too). Dirt on a campfire can douse the campfire by providing the necessary lack of oxygen without generating smoke like water does-if you either have a) a limited water supply, or b) do not want to attract attention with the smoke, you need a shovel to douse the fire. Also, digging a slight trench and creating a slight mound around a fire pit will aid in keeping the sparks from alighting the surrounding grass/greenery. Stones also help with this. Also, that is a good method if you want to bury the ashes from your campfire and make it seem as though you weren't there. And the dirt will also aid in making sure any coals that may still be lit are buried and won't result in a forest fire in a day or two (logs especially will NOT stop burning on the inside for a while-my dad when I was little vacuumed up some day old ashen wood coals to clean the fireplace and it set our vacuum cleaner bag on fire!)

2. Latrine-the dwarves probably didn't have a great deal of time and wanted to cover up their tracks, so I would imagine at least a small toiletry hole that they can fill in the next morning to help disguise the fact that they were there to any undesirables that may be following or come across their trail.

3. It can help in also burying any old bones from any wild game they may have caught and cooked the night before. Again, covering their tracks.

4. If they ever get stuck in some mud or get buried by a cave in or other many travails of journeying in the wild, the shovel could be used to get them or their belongings out.

5. A shovel has very sharp edges-especially squared off ones and they tend to be a bit heavy on the spade end. They can double as lethal weapons in a pinch-in the World Wars, soldiers often resorted to swinging trench digging shovels when they ran out of ammunition. And the corners can gouge your opponent easily, especially if swung with force.

6. They're dwarves. Just like in the troll caves, if they come upon any gold or gems that they won't have to spend much time burying (meaning as long as they don't have to mine for it) they will bury it or they may have need of the shovels to get it out.

7. If one of them gets killed during their quest, they won't want the body desecrated or burned (the burning at Azanulbizar was a very rare exception-there were simply too many dead to take the time in dangerous territory to make proper tombs). They would therefore likely bury the body after the fashion of men in attempt to keep the body from being desecrated while they continue on (or escape danger), then return for the remains or let the surviving family members know where it is so the remains can be properly buried at a later time.

8. They are going to a mountain kingdom full of mines. They have no way of knowing what has survived Smaug's usurpation. They know the gold and such is likely intact given dragon's love of such things, however, I can't imagine Smaug finding iron tools to be very precious, and there was also extensive damage to the kingdom. Doubtless, shovels are one of the many tools they will need to start repairs, and since there may not be any tools that survived the ordeal, they will have to bring their own to get started til they can forge some more.

I am sure there might be other reasons for the presence of shovels among the dwarves, but this list alone would make anyone realize that shovels would be a must in a quest like this.

Hope this clarifies that confusion at least Wink
Half Elven Daughter of Celethian of the Woodland Realm

Subject User Time
Ro's been thinking yet again (beginner's luck, I know) Roheryn Send a private message to Roheryn Mar 3 2013, 9:20am
    I only wish I'd seen it that many times! Silverlode Send a private message to Silverlode Mar 3 2013, 9:48am
        Ah, a euphithingy. ;-) Roheryn Send a private message to Roheryn Mar 3 2013, 10:17am
            seconding Brethil's motion below..... :) Galentaliel Send a private message to Galentaliel Mar 4 2013, 2:10am
                Welcome Galentaliel! Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Mar 4 2013, 3:18am
                Incoming! *SPLAATTTT* Roheryn Send a private message to Roheryn Mar 4 2013, 9:16am
                    ;) woohoo!! yep, figured it was 'bout time I jump in, stop lurking... Galentaliel Send a private message to Galentaliel Mar 7 2013, 5:32am
            About the bunnies... Silverlode Send a private message to Silverlode Mar 4 2013, 3:28am
        Another theory Shagrat Send a private message to Shagrat Mar 3 2013, 10:18am
            I took it as sauget.diblosio Send a private message to sauget.diblosio Mar 3 2013, 10:38am
                Yes, of course. But.... Silverlode Send a private message to Silverlode Mar 3 2013, 12:28pm
                    Thranduil Ham_Sammy Send a private message to Ham_Sammy Mar 3 2013, 1:56pm
                    Indeed... Otaku-sempai Send a private message to Otaku-sempai Mar 3 2013, 4:27pm
                        Exactly... Eleniel Send a private message to Eleniel Mar 4 2013, 7:15am
                            Well I sure wouldn't blame PJ & writers for their depiction of Thranduil Old Toby Send a private message to Old Toby Mar 4 2013, 7:45am
                    He probably used the same paths Haldir took to get to Helm's Deep. / Ataahua Send a private message to Ataahua Mar 3 2013, 6:39pm
                        Or those Elrond used to get to Dunharrow// sevilodorf Send a private message to sevilodorf Mar 4 2013, 12:55am
                            All of whom clearly have a better sense of direction than Legolas. Roheryn Send a private message to Roheryn Mar 4 2013, 2:54pm
    Nori Nunilo Send a private message to Nunilo Mar 3 2013, 10:17am
        I've never been quite sure Roheryn Send a private message to Roheryn Mar 3 2013, 10:22am
            Elven soap Bellerock Send a private message to Bellerock Mar 3 2013, 11:34am
                Just what DO dwarves smell like? Riven Delve Send a private message to Riven Delve Mar 3 2013, 7:04pm
                    You may be right... Roheryn Send a private message to Roheryn Mar 3 2013, 7:49pm
                        All in the name of science, Ro. And I'm putting a notion to the vote, BTW...so all you dwarf lovers read on! Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Mar 3 2013, 10:41pm
                            Mobbing with torches Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Mar 4 2013, 12:18am
                            ROFL, Brethil! Roheryn Send a private message to Roheryn Mar 4 2013, 9:44am
                                Amazon style pass-the-crown. excellent idea! Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Mar 4 2013, 1:33pm
                    hadn't thought of that ryouko Send a private message to ryouko Mar 3 2013, 8:02pm
                        WHAT?! Why wasn't I told about this?! Riven Delve Send a private message to Riven Delve Mar 3 2013, 8:38pm
                            well, it's not confirmed ryouko Send a private message to ryouko Mar 3 2013, 8:46pm
                                For the safety of all concerned Riven Delve Send a private message to Riven Delve Mar 3 2013, 10:08pm
                                    Cinema Ham_Sammy Send a private message to Ham_Sammy Mar 3 2013, 11:26pm
                                        Have a safe trip! Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Mar 3 2013, 11:31pm
                                Okay that's it! We need to get up a petition! Old Toby Send a private message to Old Toby Mar 4 2013, 8:04am
                                    I think we need to be a little careful what we wish for!! elaen32 Send a private message to elaen32 Mar 4 2013, 11:34am
                                        That wet shirt idea is lovely Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Mar 4 2013, 1:35pm
                                        I suspect you could get your wish: Roheryn Send a private message to Roheryn Mar 4 2013, 2:49pm
                                            In the production vlogs Riven Delve Send a private message to Riven Delve Mar 4 2013, 4:24pm
                                                Yup, it's fine to link to vlog screencaps :-) DanielLB Send a private message to DanielLB Mar 4 2013, 4:33pm
                                                    Aagh, not fair... elaen32 Send a private message to elaen32 Mar 4 2013, 4:41pm
                                                        *Throws a bucket of cold water over elaen32* DanielLB Send a private message to DanielLB Mar 4 2013, 6:26pm
                                                    That is majectic indeed, but these are even more majestic Riven Delve Send a private message to Riven Delve Mar 4 2013, 6:02pm
                                                        Just when I thought it was safe to come back... elaen32 Send a private message to elaen32 Mar 4 2013, 7:49pm
                                                    OH...... Old Toby Send a private message to Old Toby Mar 4 2013, 7:03pm
                                    You may be in line for the crown today Old Toby! Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Mar 4 2013, 1:45pm
                        Wait, WHAT?! Dwarf Cupcake Send a private message to Dwarf Cupcake Mar 3 2013, 10:37pm
                        Soiler warning. SirDennisC Send a private message to SirDennisC Mar 3 2013, 11:08pm
                            good point ryouko Send a private message to ryouko Mar 4 2013, 12:23am
                                ROTFL!! Ryouko you just made my day!!! Old Toby Send a private message to Old Toby Mar 4 2013, 12:39am
                                    *bows* ryouko Send a private message to ryouko Mar 4 2013, 12:43am
    noticed marillaraina Send a private message to marillaraina Mar 3 2013, 10:17am
    I'm really hoping for at least one more showing! alienorchid Send a private message to alienorchid Mar 3 2013, 2:30pm
        Middle-earth Messenger Service (spoilers) Riven Delve Send a private message to Riven Delve Mar 3 2013, 6:50pm
    Doing view 16 later today Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Mar 3 2013, 3:33pm
    Thranduil sevilodorf Send a private message to sevilodorf Mar 3 2013, 3:36pm
        I agree with your rebel idea Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Mar 3 2013, 3:42pm
            Oh... I like this! // grammaboodawg Send a private message to grammaboodawg Mar 19 2013, 1:50am
    Interesting Ham_Sammy Send a private message to Ham_Sammy Mar 3 2013, 3:43pm
    I had gotten the impression that Thranduil Aragalen the Green Send a private message to Aragalen the Green Mar 3 2013, 3:46pm
        But... CathrineB Send a private message to CathrineB Mar 3 2013, 5:23pm
            What is Time to the Elves? Aragalen the Green Send a private message to Aragalen the Green Mar 3 2013, 5:39pm
    Unless Ham Sammy said so in one of her top secret posts SirDennisC Send a private message to SirDennisC Mar 3 2013, 9:02pm
        Thanks ... Ham_Sammy Send a private message to Ham_Sammy Mar 3 2013, 9:35pm
            Oh that was it Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Mar 3 2013, 10:44pm
                A HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH Ham_Sammy Send a private message to Ham_Sammy Mar 3 2013, 11:17pm
            Perhaps the Elves were Aragalen the Green Send a private message to Aragalen the Green Mar 3 2013, 11:01pm
                Thanks and yes thank you Ham_Sammy Send a private message to Ham_Sammy Mar 3 2013, 11:22pm
            Even if Thranduil had learned of Smaug before the dragon reached Erebor... Otaku-sempai Send a private message to Otaku-sempai Mar 4 2013, 4:00pm
    Okay Ham_Sammy Send a private message to Ham_Sammy Mar 3 2013, 10:42pm
    Thranduil and Wascally Wabbits Old Toby Send a private message to Old Toby Mar 4 2013, 12:35am
        Thranduil's motives Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Mar 4 2013, 12:45am
        If Thranduil had arrived sooner... Silverlode Send a private message to Silverlode Mar 4 2013, 3:22am
        Old Bilbo's narration (spoilers) Riven Delve Send a private message to Riven Delve Mar 4 2013, 2:07pm
            Bilbo always felt guilty about his free board... Eleniel Send a private message to Eleniel Mar 4 2013, 6:41pm
    I was asking the same thing Rostron2 Send a private message to Rostron2 Mar 4 2013, 8:03pm
        It was also kinda weird imin Send a private message to imin Mar 4 2013, 11:37pm
            I think its because of the gems Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Mar 4 2013, 11:59pm
                Hadn't thought of it like that imin Send a private message to imin Mar 5 2013, 12:20am
                    Thanks! Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Mar 5 2013, 3:41am
    shovels Cirashala Send a private message to Cirashala Mar 6 2013, 11:28pm
    **I've Gathered Geeky List Info from this post :) THANKS ALL! grammaboodawg Send a private message to grammaboodawg Mar 19 2013, 2:03am

 
 
 

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