"I am like a burglar that can’t get away, but must go on miserably burgling the same house day after day"
I really like this simile - it's really quite domestic and mundane after the excitement and glamour attached to the role of burglar when they first set out on their quest. I really feel for Bilbo stuck wandering about invisibly in Thranduil's tunnels for days on end, not knowing what to do. There is the obvious comparison between Bilbo being the last one out of the goblins' caves, and this situation, where Bilbo saves them all. If that doesn't indicate character progression, I don't know what else does.
Also, I love that Bilbo complains and moans about his predicament, but he still gets stuff done! It's usually a poor character trait for the hero to whinge about things, but Bilbo just does it anyway - and, boy, can I relate to that, because I spend a considerable amount of time griping over things that tick me off.
(When I got to the scene where Bilbo finds where Thorin's been imprisoned, I couldn't help but be reminded of sigridhr's NC-17 version. Steamy.)
The wine of Dorwinion that the butler and chief guard drink brings "deep and pleasant dreams" – once again, there may be some significance of Bilbo being awake when the others aren’t, as he takes advantage of their drunken stupor to execute his plan.
"Come along back to your nice cells and I will lock you all in again, and you can sit there comfortably and think of a better plan"
I will never get tired of sassy-and-sarcastic!Bilbo.
He was in the dark tunnel floating in icy water, all alone – for you cannot count friends that are all packed up in barrels.
I can't help but see this as a proverb. I feel like quoting it solemnly at anyone who asks me for advice.
Being a relative Tolkien newbie, chapter 10 made me wonder as to the nature of the relationship between the men and the dwarves? Is it usually amicable like this, or have they been enemies in the past too?
Also, I am not impressed with the Master of Lake-town - he seems pretty ineffective and defunct, especially compared to Thranduil.
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I really like this simile - it's really quite domestic and mundane after the excitement and glamour attached to the role of burglar when they first set out on their quest. I really feel for Bilbo stuck wandering about invisibly in Thranduil's tunnels for days on end, not knowing what to do. There is the obvious comparison between Bilbo being the last one out of the goblins' caves, and this situation, where Bilbo saves them all. If that doesn't indicate character progression, I don't know what else does.
Also, I love that Bilbo complains and moans about his predicament, but he still gets stuff done! It's usually a poor character trait for the hero to whinge about things, but Bilbo just does it anyway - and, boy, can I relate to that, because I spend a considerable amount of time griping over things that tick me off.
(When I got to the scene where Bilbo finds where Thorin's been imprisoned, I couldn't help but be reminded of
The wine of Dorwinion that the butler and chief guard drink brings "deep and pleasant dreams" – once again, there may be some significance of Bilbo being awake when the others aren’t, as he takes advantage of their drunken stupor to execute his plan.
I will never get tired of sassy-and-sarcastic!Bilbo.
I can't help but see this as a proverb. I feel like quoting it solemnly at anyone who asks me for advice.
Being a relative Tolkien newbie, chapter 10 made me wonder as to the nature of the relationship between the men and the dwarves? Is it usually amicable like this, or have they been enemies in the past too?
Also, I am not impressed with the Master of Lake-town - he seems pretty ineffective and defunct, especially compared to Thranduil.