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Harry Potter discussion forum for movies, books, and more! - The Leaky Lounge _ Non HP Book Club: The Hobbit _ Poll : Would you go there and back again?

Posted by: Moose_Starr Jun 11 2008, 05:19 PM

When Bilbo set out on his adventure, he had no idea if or when he'd ever get to the mountain guarded by a dragon where the treasure is buried. He had no guarantee, no insight, no prediction to reassure him that he'd get home again, with or without the threasure. He left his safe, warm house with its regular meals to do something totally alien to him, which requires a huge amount of courage (and not a little luck).

So now imagine that you're sitting enjoying Second Breakfast and contemplating lunch, in the comfort of your cosy home with its warm bed and food-filled rooms, when a wizard and a group of dwarfs invade your house unannounced, claiming that you put a secret mark on your door, something about A Burglar seeking An Adventure.
At first you're shocked by the fact they're not only eating all your food, but proposing an adventure where you might not get back again. But then they begin to talk of a treasure, jewels and gems beyond your wildest dreams or imagination, which fills your head with thoughts of gold and wealth and excitement. And then they go mention the dragon that guards this mountain, and you want to run and hide in a safe comfortable room in your nice familiar home.

But, you have to make a decision. Will you go? Will you stay, thank you all the same? Or, will you think about it?

Posted by: wordsaremagic Jun 14 2008, 03:53 PM

Once, long ago, I did travel there and (thank God) back again.

It was a long journey, deep into the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Dragon. Our ship was tossed by two typhoons in the China Sea, rolling dark water breaking well above the main deck. I was ill, not from sea sickness, but lung infection. I lost almost 20 pounds.

But the sea calmed and a low dark line rose along the horizon. The fetid smell of the jungle rose and rose as we drew near. Finally, we drew near the mouth of the mighty Mekong, a winding black snake stretching far into the depths of South East Asia.

Oh, I have seen the Dragon and have understood that he is me...

Posted by: Fricka Jun 14 2008, 03:59 PM

If dwarves and a wizard showed up at my place, I imagine I wouldn't have much more choice than little Bilbo did. And like Bilbo, I'd be wanting my cozy bed and a cup of hot tea more often than not. I just hope that I would have the same kind of inner resources that Bilbo did. And maybe because I have a bit of Took in me, I would actually enjoy some of the adventures!

Posted by: Antonija Jun 14 2008, 04:57 PM

Well I am not an adventure type so I am going to ask them how dangerous it is likely to be and than probably accept if I saw that the wizard is powerful

Posted by: SnapesSister Jun 14 2008, 05:33 PM

I'd drop whatever I was doing and go! Pass up the chance to go 'there and back again' with a group of beard wagging dwarves and Gandalf the Grey?! I think not!

Posted by: Whisperwing Jun 14 2008, 09:40 PM

Being Hobbitish by nature already, I'd certainly be disinclined to leap up and race out the door, but I know I could be persuaded easily enough. The romance of the singing would embolden me.

Posted by: Pyxis Jun 15 2008, 12:00 AM

I'm too big of a coward to allow myself to be goaded into it like Bilbo was. However, I don't think the opportunity would have even come up, as I would have kicked the first dwarf that ordered a meal right out of my house.

Posted by: shaylee_ann Jun 15 2008, 12:27 AM

I don't think I would go before I knew what I was going to do and what would be expected. (Although the dwarves probably wouldn't like someone like me to be with them - but then, they weren't exactly thrilled to have Bilbo at first.) I'm not one to jump into things without doing research or knowing exactly what I'm getting in to. I'd have to be absolutely convinced that I would come back alive, otherwise there's no way I'd do it.

Posted by: Butterfly_Boy Jun 16 2008, 11:48 AM

I'd ask them exactly how dangerous it's likely going to be
I think, I would go. With a wise wizard I would feel safer. However I would be cautious about it.

Posted by: Cristyn Jun 16 2008, 04:25 PM

The only thing holding me back would be my kids - and the thought of spiders!
Cristyn

Posted by: chiara515 Jun 16 2008, 11:55 PM

Sometimes I wish that adventures would come knocking on my door, and other times I'm glad they stay away...

I think whether or not I would go would depend on so many things, including where I was in my life and what I would be giving up versus what I could potentially gain (not just materialistically). I wouldn't call myself impulsive, but I do believe in following my heart, even if it leads me to do occasional crazy things. When I was 21, I decided pretty much out of the blue that I wanted to go to Europe for the summer. And I did. All by myself. And it was possibly the greatest thing that I have ever done for myself. It is so empowering to take a risk like that and step so far outside your comfort zone and realize that yeah, you can survive being halfway around the world, and have fun being there and speaking another language and being totally independent.

Adventures can be great. They can help you find yourself, as I think Bilbo does. I think the older we get and the more we settle into our lives, though, the harder it is to take that risk. The Tookish part of me hopes that I would go for it, though...

Posted by: helyx Jun 19 2008, 04:40 PM

I would packed quicker than you can think! I know that feeling of going out into the unexpected, it's thrilling yet terrifying at times. Sure Bilbo has a cozy abode, but one needs to get out and stretch one's furry big feet once in awhile...

Posted by: fidelia Jun 21 2008, 09:46 PM

"There and back again" ...just the phrase has such an air about it! How many people actually go see for themselves what is out there? I've never been one to accept that only others can see the far-away things about which poems are written and songs, sung....so, while regretfully looking at my soft bed and all the home comforts I'd leave behind - I'd be taking up my walking stick and heading out with Gandalf and the elves.....just so I wouldn't miss anything.....

Posted by: Moose_Starr Jun 22 2008, 11:58 AM

I still didnt vote in the poll because I really dont know how I react to be invited on an adventure. I guess if there was a guarantee of going there and back again, I'd definitely go. And, I really would love to see the elfs and dwarfs and a dragon, and meet Gandalf. But, adventures can have unexpected twists and turns.

Strangely enough if an owl arrived with my Hogwarts letter, I wouldnt hesitate, I'd go immediately. Maybe because as much as I love The Hobbit, I'm more familiar with the Potterverse & so it seems less daunting to me

Posted by: Mary Wanguard Jun 22 2008, 01:57 PM

Well, I, too, don't really know how I'd react if some *dwarves and a wizard* presented themselves at my door and asked to come with them for an Adventure. I want to think though that I'd go without a second thought because I want to think of myself as an adventurous type - and I'm usually up for some adventure, granted no one's ever offered me a *grand* one.

Posted by: Dreamteam Jun 22 2008, 08:02 PM

I voted for asking just exactly how dangerous it would be, if the answer was "Very" then I'd be opting for staying home. I'm happy to experience new things but I do want them to be safe new things, risking everything doesn't hold any appeal at all. Yes, its true, I'm a wimp

Posted by: P4C Jun 22 2008, 08:26 PM

I'm pretty adventurous myself. In fact, I think I would have likely died in some crazy accident if I hadn't gotten married in my early 20s.

Seriously though, the only thing that would stop my is the fact that I have a wife and kids. If I was single like Bilbo I would be so gone so fast. One of the kids in my youth group (ok he is 21) has a hardcore rock band, and they are going on a short tour down to Florida and back this week. He was telling me about it yesterday and I had started to ask if he needed a roadie when I remembered my wife (pregnant at that) and kids and had to tell him to have a good time.

Still, I shouldn't complain because, while I imagine I would have ended up traveling there and back again more than once with little more than the clothes on my back, I love my family and they have helped me to settle down instead of doing too many crazy things and getting myself killed.

Posted by: Perenelle Jun 24 2008, 03:51 PM

I think that I would go, especially if I was Bilbo and living on my own. In my real life I think I can safely say that I took up that kind of challenge (here I am living in another continent to where I was last year!), so I like to think there's some Took in me. But saying that I think I would find out about the possible dangers too - adventurous and reckless don't have to be the same thing! So that's the one I voted for.

Posted by: lirene Jun 24 2008, 06:44 PM

I'm almost done reading the Hobbit so I sincerely hope I am qualified to vote in this lovely poll If I suddenly found myself playing host to oodles of dwarves and to a towering wizard asking me to go off on an adventure and give up the comforts of my home, I would definitely ask how dangerous the adventure would be. The former that I have just described is my cautious side. However, after having my question answered, I would definitely go there and back again. I am an adventurous person by nature; and I abide by what Perenelle said above: "adventurous and reckless don't have to be the same thing". So, therefore, I would love to have been exposed to Bilbo's adventures.