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

[sigridhr]

I join you in the feelings-about-Gollum brigade. Because, yes, LOTS.

I imagine it's a bit like finding a lucky penny... only, you know, eviler. A sort of 'hmm, I'll deal with this later' as you absentmindedly stuff it away to have it turn up when you're doing laundry, or something.

I think of the two Smeagol's usually considered the more innocent, and Gollum the more conniving. Not that either of them are innocent, really. What makes you say Gollum's the more innocent one?

[starliings.livejournal.com]

That's interesting that Gollum's the more conniving one.. I don't know, maybe innocent isn't the right word but he seems sort of child-like to me? Like, using a game of riddles to decide whether to eat someone or not (although he probably was planning on eating Bilbo either way but still), I feel like he doesn't kill people in some sort of Grand Plan of Evilness, but it's more like he's playing some strange game with himself because he doesn't have anyone else. I suppose that still does make him kind of conniving.... I just feel so sorry for Gollum, I probably forgive him too much!