Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week Four

[sigridhr]

  Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week Four (The Hobbit)
Chapter VII: Queer Lodgings 
Chapter VIII: Flies and Spiders

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 forced attendance at the Vogon-Orcish Poetry Recitation Competition in Minas Morgul.  
  
• 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 1st February 2013 to Friday 8th February 2013. However, the post will remain open after that point, so you're more than welcome to continue discussions on. 

Comments

[starliings.livejournal.com]

I love Beorn so much, he's like an angry Hagrid. I kind of see him as a sort of a '"""Father Nature"""" figure (if that even is a thing); he treats the animals like his children, he can change his skin and he has a very practical approach to life (no trinkets or gold or prizes). Also I love how he's so gentle with his animals but fierce as hell to enemies. AND I like to believe that the 'large long-bodied grey dogs' are Irish Wolfhound-esque which is totally the breed of dog I would have if I had time/money/space because they are massive and shaggy and amazing. But I digress.

I think one of the best things about The Hobbit is the fact that there's always an underlying comedy of this truckload of dwarves hiking around everywhere. Like Gandalf constantly counting them, them all bowling into Bilbo's house and turning up in pairs for Beorn. I just love dwarves a lot. Like this bit: 'Some of them even got up and bowed right to the ground before him, though they fell over with the effort, and could not get on their legs again for some time.' WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT DWARVES.

Ha, when I'm feeling particularly sorry for myself, the first description of Mirkwood totally reminds me of university/studying/being away from home. Reason number 3253633 why I may in actual fact be a Hobbit...

'Then the elves put thongs on him, and shut him in one of the inmost caves' I'm sorry to lower the tone but DEAR LORD THE MENTAL IMAGES

[j_quadrifrons]

Your comment about Beorn struck a chord and I had to sit around for a few minutes thinking about what he reminds me of when suddenly I realized, it's Tulkas. (Beorn as a Valar? I'd buy it.) IIRC, Tulkas is also a Thor-derivative.

The Annotated Hobbit has a footnote explaining that the thongs in question are leather cords used to bind Thorin's hands. I had honestly never had any other mental image until I read that footnote. Thanks, Annotated Hobbit.

[starliings.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see what you mean! Beorn is really quite an epic character, I wish we saw more of him really.

I blame my mental images on the internet and fanfiction. My innocence was sadly lost a very long time ago :(