Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week Eight

[sigridhr]

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. 

Comments

[hibari-sensei.livejournal.com]

I third it ^^ That's a helluva way to throw a hissy fit.

The line about old memories and sorrows of his race made me think that dwelling on the past is just as destructive as greed (which it often accompanies). Thorin can't get over the past, and it costs him. The Ring was what caused Smeagol to murder his cousin, and now he's obsessed with it. You see this in LOTR too with Denethor sinking into despair and insanity after his wife's and later Boromir's death. Then you have wonderful Bilbo who knew when it was time to move from his long life in the Shire and was able to hand over the One Ring.

[gallifaerie.livejournal.com]

Wow, I really love this interpretation! Bilbo never seems to dwell on anything about the past or family, and he seems to be much stronger for it - I suppose he doesn't have any of those demons following him around or driving him to do things.