Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week Three

[sigridhr]

  Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week Three (The Hobbit)
Chapter V: Riddles in the Dark
Chapter VI: Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire

Rules

I very much doubt we'll require much in the way of formal rules, but just for the sake of formality and clarity:

• Discussion is welcome and encouraged, as is disagreement. Name-calling and personal attacks will be punished by purchasing $10,000 worth of shares in Mordor Inc. in your name. 
  
• There is no spoiler policy in place. Although we're reading the Hobbit, please feel free to bring in things from other Tolkien works, any of the films, the History of Middle Earth, the Letters of JRR Tolkien, and, if you should like, other literary sources. 
• There is no such thing as too much geekery. Or taking the text too seriously.  
• If you have any concerns at any point, I'm the closest thing this gong show has to a mod, so feel free to get in touch. I can be reached either by PM through this site, or directly by email at sigridhr.lokidottir@gmail.com. 

Discussion on this post will officially run from Friday 18th January 2013 to Friday 25th January 2013. However, the post will remain open after that point, so you're more than welcome to continue discussions on. 

Comments

[gallifaerie.livejournal.com]

I did wonder about Gollum not carrying the ring around with him - it says that he started by wearing it, until it tired him, then he carried it around in a pouch, and eventually he had to leave it on his island. But at the same time he can't bear to be parted from it. Those are quite contradictory things to be feeling/doing, so I wonder how the ring makes you feel when you wear it. Obviously, it has a possessive effect over the wearer, making them covet and obsess over it, but it's also so draining that they can't be around it for most of the time. It does seem like that would be enough to drive anyone insane.

[j_quadrifrons]

I actually really like that aspect - that he has to keep it away from himself but he can't bear to be parted with it. It reminds me of people failing to recover from addiction, or people in really destructive relationships. It feels true, in other words, although horribly tragic.

[gallifaerie.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's a great comparison actually! You know it's bad for you, but you can't stay away from it. And Gollum seemed to experience "withdrawal symptoms" when he was parted from the ring (although Bilbo didn't, but I suppose he did have it for like a tenth of the time Gollum did, so it was bound to have less of an effect).