sigridhr: (Thorin - Blue)
sigridhr ([personal profile] sigridhr) wrote2013-02-08 05:48 pm
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Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week Five

 Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week Five (The Hobbit)
Chapter IX: Barrels out of Bond
Chapter X: A Warm Welcome

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 forcing you to read Evil!Thranduil Badfic for the rest of eternity. 
  • 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 8th February 2013 to Friday 15th February 2013. However, the post will remain open after that point, so you're more than welcome to continue discussions on. 
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[identity profile] gallifaerie.livejournal.com 2013-02-15 11:51 am (UTC)(link)
It is interesting how single-minded the dwarves are about the journey and just getting to the Lonely mountain, as opposed to worrying about what they'll do when they get there. And the alternative title of the book is 'There and Back Again' which obviously emphasises the importance of the journey and not the destination. But all the way through, Bilbo does seem more preoccupied with the thought of the dragon than the dwarves do - I don't know if that's because his official role is the burglar, and he was recruited for the last part of the plan (although that's just breaking into Smaug's chamber, not actually killing him.)

Do any of them ever talk rationally about killing Smaug, or just stealing the gold back? Actually, I always found it interesting that they always talked about stealing back their treasure, and Bilbo being a burglar, because if I was Thorin I'd be like EXCUSE YOU THAT DRAGON STOLE IT FROM US, WE DON'T NEED TO STEAL IT BACK, IT'S STILL TECHNICALLY OURS.

I also like that Bilbo was sweet enough to return the keys to the guard so he wouldn't get into trouble for losing it
I loved that part too! It's those little kindnesses that make Bilbo such an endearing character.
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