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The Hobbit Chapter Summaries, Chapters 1 - 4 |
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 Jun 11 2008, 06:17 PM
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A 'Sirius' Veil Whisperer
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The Hobbit
Chapters 1 - 4
Chapter 1 - The Unexpected Party
We are introduced to Bilbo Baggins and a little of his family history when we learn that he is a "very well-to-do hobbit" who enjoys his comfortable home. An old man visits Bilbo looking for someone to take part in an adventure he's planning, the last thing Bilbo wants is an adventure and he tries to get rid of his visitor. He becomes a little friendlier when he realises that he's speaking to the famous wizard, Gandalf, although he still doesn't want anything to do with adventures. He does, however, invite Gandalf to tea the next day but its a dwarf who turns up instead and, ever polite, Bilbo invites him to tea. They are soon joined by a large number of the dwarf's friends and, finally, Gandalf. After tea they begin to explain their plan to Bilbo, and mention that some may not return, which sends poor Bilbo into a state of great panic and distress and he needs to lie down. This doesn't do much for the dwarves' confidence in his abilities as a burglar but Gandalf insists that he has made a good choice and that "there is a lot more in him that [they] guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself". The explanation of their plan continues as they show Bilbo their map and tell him about their gold being kept by the dragon, Smaug, and Gandalf explains that he was given the map by the grandfather of Thorin Oakenshield, one of the dwarves, while trying to save him from the Necromancer.
Chapter 2 - Roast mutton
When Bilbo awakes the next morning the dwarves have gone. By second breakfast Gandalf has returned and tells him the dwarves have left him a message asking him to meet them at the Green Dragon Inn from where they will set off on their journey. Poor Bilbo really isn't happy - there isn't enough food, the weather's terrible, everything about the lands and the people is unfamiliar and he's homesick. Gandalf leaves them, although none of them noticed him go. Seeing a light ahead the dwarves send Bilbo off to investigate, what he finds are three trolls and tries to steal the purse from one of them who catches Bilbo but he soon begins fighting with another troll and drops him. The dwarves arrive and are all captured and put in sacks. While the trolls decide how to cook their captives, Gandalf returns unseen and fools them into thinking that each of them is insulting the other two which continues until dawn when the trolls turn to stone. Bilbo finds a key that opens the trolls' cave where they find gold, food, clothes and two swords.
Chapter 3 - A short rest
The group travel on with subdued spirits until they reach the beginning of the Misty Mountains, beyond that is the Wilderland and the Lonely Mountain where Smaug lies. Gandalf takes them to Rivendell to rest and stock up on food before the rest of the journey, the elves they meet on the way seem to already know Bilbo. While there Elrond examines the swords they had taken from the trolls and tells them they are "very old swords of the High Elves of the West ... made in Gondolin for the Goblin-wars", one is "Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver", the other is "Glamdring the Foe-hammer that the king of Gondolin once wore". Elrond looks at their map and tells them there are "moon letters", which are runes that can only be read "when the moon shines behind them", he translates the letters they can see but explains that different letters can be seen depending on the phase of the moon. The next morning they set off to continue their journey.
Chapter 4 - Over hill and under hill
The travelling is hard and Bilbo is still homesick. While in the mountains there is a terrible thunderstorm and the dwarves look for shelter. Fili and Kili find, and lead the group to, a dry cave. Bilbo dreams of the cave wall splitting and wakes up to find its true and that the ponies have been taken. Goblins jump out and outnumber Bilbo and the dwarves with only Gandalf escaping. The goblins take them down into the darkness of the mount to meet the Great Goblin, whipping them as they go and singing a terrifying song. We learn that they are a cruel people who don't hate dwarves more than anyone else but bear a grudge against Thorin's people from a previous war. The group are accused of being spies, thieves, murderers and friends of elves. They try to defend themselves and Thorin says that they are on their way to visit friends and family, the goblins don't believe them and cite those who were killed by Gandalf using Thorin's sword, Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver. Thankfully Gandalf has not disappeared and now comes to the rescue, killing the Great Goblin and leading the dwarves and Bilbo out chased by the goblins. As the goblins get closer Gandalf tells the dwarves to turn and fight, the two swords kill some of the goblins, sending the rest running. The goblins make a second, more silent, attack and grab Dori, Bilbo falls and is knocked unconscious.
Some questions to think about
- Bilbo loves his home and doesn't want adventure, why does he agree to go with the dwarves?
- Why does Gandalf feel so sure that Bilbo is a good choice to help the dwarves?
- The dwarves aren't impressed by Bilbo's capabilities so why do you think they send him to investigate the light of the troll's camp?
- Bilbo seems to be of good character so why does he try to steal the troll's purse
- What did you think of the moon letters? They're not the most convenient method of communication if they can only be read when the moon is in the right phase.
- How do you think the elves already know about Bilbo?
- What do think of Bilbo's dream? He found that the first part was true when he awoke, the cave wall really had split open. What about the second part about the floor giving way?
- How do you think the Goblins here compare with the Goblins in the Potterverse?
Please feel free to discuss all, some or none of these questions and to bring in any other points you'd like to discuss regarding these first chapters
Look out for further chapter summaries:
21 June - Chapters 5 - 9
28 June - Chapters 10 - 14
05 July - Chapters 15 - 19
This post has been edited by Dreamteam: Jun 13 2008, 07:23 AM
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"THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!" roared Black. "DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!" |
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Jun 15 2008, 12:27 AM
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QUOTE(Dreamteam @ Jun 11 2008, 05:17 PM)  [list]
[*]Bilbo loves his home and doesn't want adventure, why does he agree to go with the dwarves?
It is very late here, but I can't resist answering this one. I think it's Bilbo's pride that gets him in the middle of this adventure. He is dead set against it, until he hears the dwarves talking about how unsuitable he is for the job, and that little insult was enough to put him right in the middle of it. I'm sure we've all done it ourselves, we get the impression that someone thinks we can't do something, and so we set out to prove them wrong. And isn't it a fabulous way to grow into something we may never have tried at all.
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Jun 15 2008, 04:45 PM
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Leaky's Official Donut Maker and Mosquito Man
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QUOTE Bilbo loves his home and doesn't want adventure, why does he agree to go with the dwarves? While I agree with Pyxis that Bilbo's pride and dignity made him walk back into the room and declare himself ready for an adventure, I think by the time the cold reality of the morning had come around, the courage and Tookish side of him had worn off. In a sense he was tricked into going from the start, Gandalf secretly put the mark on Bilbo's door & just as secretly removed it, the Dwarfs & Gandalf left without him so he felt compelled to go after them. Personally I dont think Bilbo left his house ready to go out on an Adventure, it just kind of happened.
QUOTE Why does Gandalf feel so sure that Bilbo is a good choice to help the dwarves? And, if Gandalf feels so sure that Bilbo is a good choice to help them, why doesnt he sit down with Bilbo & give him a heroic adrenaline boosting talk? Why trick him into going?
Gandalf must have felt that Bilbo was the ideal Hobbit for the task. Obviously a Hobbit was needed to be an *intermediary* among the dwarfs & calm any fighting among them, and a Hobbit was needed because if another Dwarf had been chosen as The Burglar, there would have been potential mistrust and envy from the other dwarfs. Maybe a Took would have been more eager for an adventure but, being accustomed to them would have been less level-headed.
QUOTE The dwarves aren't impressed by Bilbo's capabilities so why do you think they send him to investigate the light of the troll's camp? They're tired, at that time they dont have much esteem for Bilbo so, send off the little guy, he's dispensable, & if he does good then they were right to send him and Gandalf was right to choose Bilbo.
QUOTE Bilbo seems to be of good character so why does he try to steal the troll's purse Bilbo knows the Dwarfs dont think much of him. He's supposed to be the Burglar. So he's trying to prove two things at once, he is a Burglar, and the Dwarfs should think more highly of him. He is capable of doing things. Alas, in this case he does the wrong thing. But, he's bullied by peer pressure and feels obligated to *do* something.
QUOTE What did you think of the moon letters? They're not the most convenient method of communication if they can only be read when the moon is in the right phase. I think they're awesome and, because it was so long since I'd read the book, I'd forgotten a lot of the story and was hoping that the moon runes would reveal more secrets. But, I think they're really cool.
On a practical level, I think they're excellent for secret messages, and also may be from a time long ago but the knowledge is being lost or forgotten. Maybe when the runes were written, it was assumed that the map bearer would guess the possible existance of moon runes on the map & thus would be constantly vigilant to check the map against the moon, respecially at changes of the phase of the moon or rare or special lunar events.
QUOTE How do you think the elves already know about Bilbo? Beorn can move among them unseen by all except Bilbo (and Gandalf) so likely the elfs can also move unseen & unheard by a noisy bunch of dwarfs. And, it is plently possible that Gandalf had either warned the elfs of their arrival, or sent on a messenger. We know that he has many friends among the animals and birds, and can speak their language.
QUOTE What do think of Bilbo's dream? He found that the first part was true when he awoke, the cave wall really had split open. What about the second part about the floor giving way? So Ineed to go reread this part (already) but I think if I remember rightly, the first part of the dream was accurate, so maybe he had heard noises in his sleep that influenced his dream, & he sensed danger. The floor giving way could be more symbolic, of falling into peril or being let down by his friends.
QUOTE How do you think the Goblins here compare with the Goblins in the Potterverse? The Goblins that we see in the Potterverse live in the modern world. They have fitted into a niche in society (in the wizarding world) which could be seen as subservient to wizards, working for them in their bank. On the other hand the Goblins could be more shrewd and cunning than we first think. But, they have lived with wizards, despite mistrust and adapted to the life they have.
I dont know when The Hobbit is set but, judging by the battles we see later in LOTR it would seem we're talking several centuries ago. People still fight with horses and swords and shields, bows and arrows and axes. Maybe the Goblins in The Hobbit are from the time of or even before the Goblin rebellions. They seem much crueler, focused more on violence & not likely to settle down to a regular job in a bank any time soon. They have no pity and they eat poneys. They would fight with Orcs and Wargs against wizards and Hobbits.
If the Goblins from The Hobbit and HP are of the same descent, in my opinion I would say that those in HP have fashioned themselfs a lifestyle that suits their needs and serves their purposes while allowing wizards to think they (the wizards) are superior. They have adapted to fit in to the modern world, but they still have a cruel and viscious side to their nature.
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  I'm 1 of the 99.99% W.L.Y.J.  When I sleep I dream, and when I dream I can rise above the walls Remember Cameron Duncan |
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Jun 15 2008, 05:12 PM
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Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher
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How do you think the Goblins here compare with the Goblins in the Potterverse?
Goblins in Potterverse are a completely different species, and (so far as we know) they aren't a derivitive of another species. Not so in Middle Earth. In Middle Earth, Orcs (which are the same as goblins... or at least, different branches of the same species) are fallen elves, corrupted by Morgoth (the Satan-equivalent in Middle Earth). So they are evil by definition, and always align themselves with Morgoth, or Morgoth's underlings (Sauron). So, where goblins in Potterverse are creatures with a free will, and the ability to line up on either side of a dispute (though always with an eye to what benefits them the most), goblins in Middle Earth have considerably less freedom.
However, if memory serves me rightly, both sets of goblins share some characteristics. Both are clever, and not the most scrupulous of beings. They are greedy, and not the most trustworthy of companions. They are both rather ugly, as well.
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You said, "I know that this will hurt,
But if I don't break your heart, things will just get worse.
If the burden seems too much to bear,
Remember, the end will justify the pain it took to get us there."
~Let It All Out, Relient K
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Jun 17 2008, 12:06 AM
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[*]Why does Gandalf feel so sure that Bilbo is a good choice to help the dwarves?
I don't think I have come up with a satisfactory answer to this question yet. Can Gandalph see the future? I get the impression he specifically selected Bilbo from all the other Hobbits, so it must have been something particular to Bilbo. In fact, perhaps someone can clear up one of my own questions, in his first meeting with Bilbo, Gandalph says that Bilbo has asked twice to go on an adventure...exactly when did that happen? Perhaps I am not paying close enough attention, but I don't see much in Bilbo's responses to their rather brief conversation that intimates he desires an adventure.
[*]The dwarves aren't impressed by Bilbo's capabilities so why do you think they send him to investigate the light of the troll's camp?
This may be ungenerous to the dwarves, but I think it was a test of his abilities, plus none of them wanted to do it. Although, I was fairly unimpressed with the dwarves walking right into the troll's trap..for goodness sake, it doesn't take much common sense to recognize that the dwarf ahead has vanished without a sound so perhaps it would be a good idea to stay hidden to find out what is going on.
[*]Bilbo seems to be of good character so why does he try to steal the troll's purse
I hate to sound politically incorrect...but it's a troll, and the purse was likely stolen to begin with. Although, on consideration, it's a step towards the pseudotheft of the Arkenstone. 
[*]What did you think of the moon letters? They're not the most convenient method of communication if they can only be read when the moon is in the right phase.
Actually, I was a bit bugged by the moon letters...I mean, c'mon, they just happen to find the message that they needed on the perfect night with the perfect moon and the perfect person to recognize them? That was stretching the coincidences a bit far for me.
[*]How do you think the elves already know about Bilbo?
That is a great question, but there are hints of prophecies in this book. The song that the LakeMen sing at the end, about the dwarves returning and the river running with gold sounds like a prophecy and it is certainly treated that way by the men of the town. It makes me wonder if the elves have prophecies as well, and perhaps that is how they know of Bilbo.
The other alternative would be communication with elves around the Shire, who have heard the tale of Bilbo disappearing from his home and have traveled faster than the dwarves with the gossip.
QUOTE(Moose_Starr @ Jun 15 2008, 03:45 PM) QUOTE Bilbo loves his home and doesn't want adventure, why does he agree to go with the dwarves? While I agree with Pyxis that Bilbo's pride and dignity made him walk back into the room and declare himself ready for an adventure, I think by the time the cold reality of the morning had come around, the courage and Tookish side of him had worn off. In a sense he was tricked into going from the start, Gandalf secretly put the mark on Bilbo's door & just as secretly removed it, the Dwarfs & Gandalf left without him so he felt compelled to go after them. Personally I dont think Bilbo left his house ready to go out on an Adventure, it just kind of happened.
Hmmm, good point, Moose. Bilbo was home by himself the next morning, and made the ultimate decision to go all on his own. I think if he truly wanted to stay at home, he could have gotten his ire up and told Gandalph he wasn't going, but he must be rather bored with his life and the newness of an adventure was a mighty pull. I did have to laugh when he worried about not having a handkerchief...I would sooo do that myself!
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Jun 17 2008, 11:06 AM
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Leaky's Official Donut Maker and Mosquito Man
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QUOTE(Pyxis @ Jun 17 2008, 03:06 AM) [*]What did you think of the moon letters? They're not the most convenient method of communication if they can only be read when the moon is in the right phase.
Actually, I was a bit bugged by the moon letters...I mean, c'mon, they just happen to find the message that they needed on the perfect night with the perfect moon and the perfect person to recognize them? That was stretching the coincidences a bit far for me. But, wasnt it Elrond (like I read this book less than a week ago & already I cant remember) that discovered the moon runes on the map? He is an Elf and has ancient knowledge, so he might know of such runes and also know about phases of the moon so he might think that the map isnt telling the full story and thus deduces there are likely hidden moon runes.
Or, it could just be that he's just been shown this map that's new to him and he's looking at it thoroughly.
Personally, I dont think it was stretching coincidence too much, although the fact that it just happened to be those moon runes on that day is coincidental. But, throughout The Hobbit there are a lot of *coincidences* or things that just happen to fall into place & I wonder if some of the coincidences werent set up by Gandalf.
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I'm 1 of the 99.99% W.L.Y.J. When I sleep I dream, and when I dream I can rise above the walls Remember Cameron Duncan
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Jun 26 2008, 12:10 PM
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Neville is Simply Purrrfect
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First off, I am very excited to participate in this book club  and I just finished the Hobbit!! Second, wonderful questions  And third apologies for jumping in so late.
QUOTE * Bilbo loves his home and doesn't want adventure, why does he agree to go with the dwarves?
Quite truthfully, I never got the impression that Bilbo really didn't want to go on the adventure with the dwarves in the first place. It was as if a spark ignited in Bilbo the moment he realized who Gandalf was; especially while reminiscing about Gandalf's adventures. It's very true that Bilbo certainly enjoyed the comforts of his home and everyday life, a life it seems, structured around mealtimes  And the sudden invasion of his home by the dwarves seemed more to annoy him than anything else, but I believe he was drawn in pretty quickly. He did have some misgivings too; but I never believed Bilbo would miss the opportunity of this adventure.
In addition, the dwarf songs mesmerized him too; awakening the Took side to him and it was as if he longed to go far and wide and experience the thrill of the promised excitement filled adventures. I am sure the dwarves thought this through carefully making sure to stir Bilbo's desire. And I too believe as has been mentioned that overhearing that Gloin was having misgivings of Bilbo not really being equipped for the job made Bilbo want to prove himself to them. It didn't help that upon hearing he might not come back alive, he fell into some sort of fit.
I must say, that Bilbo was a true host; making sure everyone was well fed and comfortable; even if he didn't know the dwarves. And he catered to their whims and request, sometimes commands that they threw at him. I liked Bilbo from the very beginning!
QUOTE * Why does Gandalf feel so sure that Bilbo is a good choice to help the dwarves?
I have a hard time answering this question. However, I will venture to say that maybe Gandalf himself witnessed Bilbo's interest in the adventures he would tell in the past when Bilbo was much younger and being a wizard, he knew that Bilbo would be the only one in the village willing to undertake such a thing. But it was a gamble nonetheless.
QUOTE * The dwarves aren't impressed by Bilbo's capabilities so why do you think they send him to investigate the light of the troll's camp?
Like others have said, I think they had Bilbo investigate so that they could see if they could trust Bilbo and to see exactly why Gandalf had chosen him as their "burglar". It was a test of sorts; but even thought they knew very little and it was still early in their journey, although they might not have had faith in him one hundred percent, they would help him if he needed it.
QUOTE * What did you think of the moon letters? They're not the most convenient method of communication if they can only be read when the moon is in the right phase.
Like Pyxis, I too felt that it was rather convenient that Elrond was able to see the moon letters on the map; at the perfect time and the perfect season in order for Bilbo and the elves to be able to open the hidden door to the mountain. This method of communication is excellent if one wants to use it in secret. But a very inconvenient method when you need to find something and wouldn't think to look for the letters in the first place.
I found it particularly interesting that it was Elrond who was able to read the moon letters, and I was intrigued he thought to look for the moon letters in the first place. Maybe he had seen a similar map like this in the past, or he himself had used moon letters as a form of secret communication? Also, the meaning of the name Elrond is "vault of the stars" and the moon is situated among stars in the sky. And Elrond, being an elf, is immortal; surviving many moons. So it seems fitting that he was the one who was able to find and decipher the moon letters. So I am in agreement with Moose that he does indeed possess such ancient knowledge.
Just a thought on this first chapter. The way the dwarves entered Bilbo's home; first one by one, then two more, then four more, etc. reminded me how they all entered Beorn's home when they went to visit him; and how Gandalf specifically told Bilbo and the dwarves to make sure to enter in pairs; and by the end they were entering his house in larger groups. These two instances of entrance are very similar and possibly served the same purpose. Bilbo, outwardly and inwardly was annoyed at first at the sudden arrival of the dwarves, but was at the same time intrigued by them; much as Beorn became interested in their own adventures later on.
Reason for edit: Spelling errors.
This post has been edited by lirene: Jun 28 2008, 12:24 AM
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Jun 27 2008, 02:15 PM
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Knockturn Alley Fingernail Vendor
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Good Questions, Dreamteam!
I'm impressed by the responses thus far
--just hope I can keep up!
Bilbo loves his home and doesn't want adventure;why does he agree to go with the dwarves?
First, I don't think he actually does agree to go, not willingly, anyway. There's a certain amount of trickery involved, what with Gandalf putting the sign on his door, and then removing it before Bilbo notices it being there, and the experience of having Gandalf and all the dwarves essentially invading his inner sanctum, so to speak, is un-nerving.
I do agree with Pyxis that it is his pride that gets him into trouble, after he hears himself being described as the "little fellow bobbing on the mat", and makes him feel "almost fierce." --Maybe some of the Took was coming out in him, then, probably as Gandalf had hoped it would. I also agree with lirene that the dwarves' song brought awoke a desire to go with them. However, this feeling didn't last long, and the next morning, he had no thought of going with them. Gandalf essentially shows up and shoves him out the door before Bilbo knows what he is doing.
Why does Gandalf feel so sure Bilbo is a good choice to help the dwarves?
Good question-- why, indeed? Perhaps it is because Gandalf knows that the dwarves alone will not be able to complete their mission. Being dwarves, their main goal is to get treasure, and they are prepared to fight to get it. However, they aren't the most--hmm--how to say this?--the most appealing characters to work with. We see later how they have problems dealing with the elves, for example, and as irritating as the dwarves find them, they are hardly the most vicious or dangerous foes the dwarves will face. They will do much better if there is someone like a hobbit with them, to serve more or less as an ambassador, who can appear to be less hostile, and perhaps even generate some pity or goodwill from the other characters whom they will need help from. Then of course, there is the fact that Gandalf knows all about Bilbo--and his being the son of Belladonna Took has, I think, a great part of the answer to why Gandalf selected him. The book tells us that Belladonna did not have any adventures after she married Bilbo's father, but it does not say that she did not have any adventures, period. I infer from this that she did have adventures, perhaps even with Gandalf, but at the least he would have known about it, and i t' s almost as if he sees it as a duty to see to it that Belladonna's son gets at least one adventure in his lifetime.
The dwarves aren't impressed by Bilbo's capabilities so why do you think they send him to investigate the light of the troll's camp?
First of all, they didn't know it was a troll's camp: they only knew there was a light that might denote (hopefully) friendly campers with food.
For the rest, I agree with Moose_Starr, that Bilbo was essentially, in their eyes, expendable.
Bilbo seems to be of good character, so why does he try to steal the troll's purse?
Well, he knows he's supposed to steal something, as he's the designated burglar, and the purse is most likely the size that he could handle. I also agree with Pyxis and Moose_Starr on this. I'm certainly not feeling sorry for the poor ickle trolls! Furthermore, Gandalf is the one who decided that Bilbo was to be the burglar, so I don't think there is any moral shortcoming of his character in this situation.
What did you think of the moon letters? They're not the most convenient method of communication if they can only be read when the moon is in the right phase.
I loved the moon runes! For me, they just gave more magical detail to the story. Every fairy tale that deals with a hero's quest has a series of obstacles that the hero must overcome, sometimes with help, someimes not. It's part of the charm of the story.
As to having to be read when the moon is in the right phase, that seems to be a precaution that the map-makers took to make sure that if the map fell into the wrong hands, it would not lead the reader to the treasure. It's a sign of how much Thorin and the other dwarves have forgotten about their heritage, and, conveniently enough, here comes Elrond the Elf to read it for them! Ironic, no? I must say, that's an example of the kind of detail one expects to find in a folk tale, and Tolkien does not dissapoint here.
How do you think the elves already knew about Bilbo?
I think Gandalf told them. Note how he cautions the elves from saying too much more? He doesn't want Bilbo to think he's been gossiping about him to the elves behind his back, is what I think.
How do you think the Goblins here compare to the Goblins in the potterverse?
The Goblins in Tolkien are much more lethal than those in Rowling's stories. In Harry Potter, we get the sense that the Goblins could be dangerous, if messed with, but in Tolkien, they are, without provocation.
This post has been edited by Fricka: Jun 27 2008, 02:20 PM
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"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
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Phoenix avatar courtesy of ofenjen; thanks to atschpe for help
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Jun 27 2008, 07:59 PM
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Ollivander's Phoenix Feather Plucker
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you must forgive my lateness, ive been out of town, but i LOVE this book and im excited we've started it.
Bilbo loves his home and doesn't want adventure;why does he agree to go with the dwarves?
ahh but does he really not want one? perhaps he is just resisting because it is what is expected it of him? but he secretly wants one?
How do you think the Goblins here compare to the Goblins in the potterverse?
well the goblins in the potterverse were sort of enslaved by wizards, and there is no doubt after having seen griphooks actions in DH that they are just as evil and lethal and brutal. In my mind the Hobbit takes place some many years before the time period of that in the potter books, had they been set during the same time they would not be much different. The Goblins in the potter verse have also grown with society, and are a bit more manner ful.
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of course it is happening inside your head Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"
I am Hans. Proud CoC staff member. I SUPPORT JO ROWLING. No Day But Today.Harry Potter does not bow down to Edward Cullen
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Jun 27 2008, 10:05 PM
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Being Eaten by the Pea Soup
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QUOTE Bilbo loves his home and doesn't want adventure, why does he agree to go with the dwarves?
He's part Took, and that family tends to like adventures.
QUOTE Why does Gandalf feel so sure that Bilbo is a good choice to help the dwarves?
He's a smart guy (or angel as it were.)
QUOTE The dwarves aren't impressed by Bilbo's capabilities so why do you think they send him to investigate the light of the troll's camp?
It is probably 50% because he is disposable in their eyes, and 50% to see if Gandalf was right about him.
QUOTE Bilbo seems to be of good character so why does he try to steal the troll's purse
It is an attempt to prove himself to the Dwarves, because I'm sure he senses their mistrust of him.
QUOTE What did you think of the moon letters? They're not the most convenient method of communication if they can only be read when the moon is in the right phase.
Tricksy Dwarves
QUOTE How do you think the elves already know about Bilbo?
Elves are constantly journeying through the Shire, which you learn about more in other books. But they have a strong network of communication and word travels fast amongst them.
QUOTE How do you think the Goblins here compare with the Goblins in the Potterverse?
The Potterverse Goblins have their evil tendencies, but they pretty much all center around greed. They have adapted to living and working within a magical society with other beings. The goblins in Middle Earth are orcs. They were created by an evil being, and as such are totally evil. They kill just about anything in their path.
This post has been edited by kbdiggity: Jun 27 2008, 10:09 PM
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