sigridhr | Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week Eight

Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week Seven (The Hobbit)
Chapter XVI: The Gathering of Clouds
Chapter XIV: A Thief in the Night

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 mediate at Christmas dinner in the house of Finwë.
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 March 2013 to Friday 8th March 2013. However, the post will remain open after that point, so you're more than welcome to continue discussions on.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

'Can I also just express me profound appreciation for the fact that the book does not end with the death of Smaug? Because I, when I first read it, like Bilbo, expected it to be over - but the fact that Tolkien deals with the aftermath is really wonderful to me.'

I completely agree with this. It takes what could just be a adventure story where everything ends nicely and they beat the dragon, yay The End, but it's so awesome that Tolkien actually deals with the ~real life~ aspect of the ending, like, insert inspirational quote here about the dragon not being the real villain but rather HUMAN NATURE. Or dwarvish nature I guess. Whatevs.

'There was the sound, too of elven-harps and of sweet music; and as it echoed up towards them it seemed that the chill of the air was warmed, and they caught faintly the fragrance of woodland flowers blossoming in spring.'

I love the imagery here, it's like, even though Smaug is defeated, there's still this festering darkness in the mountain, mainly due to greed and pride and revenge. It kinda reminds me of Dementors, how they make all the flowers and plants curl up and die when they go by.

Also it mentions that most of the dwarves seemed to share Thorin's mind, except for Fili and Kili (and Bombur). Ugh this is depressing, because I can't help thinking that if Fili and Kili had survived the battle, they might have carried the line of Durin into a new age of friendship with men and elves and I JUST. WHY MUST EVERYONE I LOVE DIE.

I can't help thinking that if Fili and Kili had survived the battle, they might have carried the line of Durin into a new age of friendship with men and elves

Oh my god, that makes it so much more painful! I feel like I need to insert one of those 'why would you post something like that?' gifs here. Thorin doesn’t even seem to want a friendly peace with the elves or the men, he just seems to HATE EVERYTHING. The only allies he seems to be comfortable with are other dwarves, Beorn and some ravens. But Fili and Kili would have changed that and everything could have been so lovely and friendly and. THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS.

Ow. Ow. Ow. Thanks for that last paragraph. I didn't need my heart. It's fine. :P

Doesn't it say too that the stench of Smaug lingered in the mountain? As the Dwarves are falling victim to the same hubris and greed that defeated Smaug... :P

Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week Eight

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