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

[gallifaerie.livejournal.com]

I think Smaug is definitely another category - he loves treasure, but he has no use for it (except possibly for sleeping on, and making himself a protective undercoating with a strategically-placed vulnerable spot). I suppose he exemplifies greed - just wanting more things for the sake of it.

Thank you!

Yes, Bilbo definitely seems more confident, and competent, in Mirkwood, despite the fact that he is finding their journey extremely difficult and he is still thinking about Bag End. I love that about him - as he progresses through the book and slowly grows in courage and skill, he still retains this realism and longing for home, and it's just so believable. I want a protagonist who's dreaming about bacon and eggs for breakfast one minute, that stabbing a spider between the eyes the next! It makes him the everyman's hero.

[sigridhr]

I want a protagonist who's dreaming about bacon and eggs for breakfast one minute, that stabbing a spider between the eyes the next! It makes him the everyman's hero.

THIS! Skadi-of-the-North pointed out in her review that in the film the narrative shifts from a focus on Bilbo's story, to a Thorin's, and I think we really lose that sense of dreaming of bacon and eggs and reluctant adventuring in the process, a little bit. Which is a pity, because Bilbo is much more relatable than Thorin, I think.