Book I - Chapter 5 - A Conspiracy Unmasked

[The Barrow-Wight]

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All chapters have great info, and this one is no exception. Here we learn the history and layout of Buckland, we hear a great bathtub song, we meet Fatty Bolger (as more than a name), and aha! we discover the conspiracy.

It has always seemed to me that Frodo was so preoccupied with his quest that he was blind to the actions of those around him. How could he have missed the knowing glances and nods that his friends must have been giving each other for months? Perhaps I've answered my own question.

Let's talk about Chapter 5.

The Barrow-Wight (RKittle)
<font size="2">I usually haunt http://www.barrowdowns.comThe Barrow-Downs</a> and The Barrow-Downs http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgiMiddle-Earth Discussion Board</a>.</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000002>RKittle</A>&nbsp; <IMG SRC=http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/oneringicon.gif BORDER=0 WIDTH=10 HEIGHT=10> at: 10/11/00 7:45:53 am

[Hannah Burrows]

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Re: Book I - Chapter 5 - A Conspiracy Unmasked

Chapter 5 is great! The conspiracy was very surprising (especialy since I didn't read the title of the chapter before I read it!) I'd like to know what was going through Bilbo's head! Dissappearing in broad daylight like that!

" In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit . . . " That's where it all began.</p>

[doug*platypus]

It's a feelgood chapter, which is nice, and I admit it is full of Fatty goodness. The bath song is great, because it's one of those times when you can really identify with the characters singing, without thinking lawd, 'ere we go again!.

Nothing much really happens, though, does it? The chapter almost seems superfluous - not that the book needs to be shorter (longer if anything!). It didn't survive into the movie version very well, did it?

[Liriodendron]

So what do you all think of Frodo's dream? An urge for the sea (the Grey havens), cut off by the thunder of Sauron?

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

In response to the Barrow-Wight, I don't think Merry, Pippin and Sam would be engaging in sitcom-style wink-wink gestures. I am confident that they were intelligent enough to slip past a pre-occupied Frodo.

Although, Frodo sure did feel like a fool when he found out!

A very feel-good chapter, as already pointed out. Simply stating the Hobbits love and friendship for each other.

[Inderjit Sanghera]

The biggest shame in the Fellowship the movie was the absence of the 'consipiracy' between Pippin, Merry and Sam. It seemed they just ambled along without knowing what was going on.
I can never forget Pippin (Or was it Merry?) whispering something like:

"It's about to come out now." -A Classic moment.

[ January 17, 2003: Message edited by: Inderjit Sanghera ]

[Neferchoirwen]

That chapter also shows how smart Merry and Pippin really are, and how important they are to Frodo to the trip to Buckland.

It's a feel-good chapter, yeah. And a great break for Frodo as well.

[ January 17, 2003: Message edited by: Neferchoirwen ]

[Inderjit Sanghera]

Yeah, Pippin and Merry aren't as dumb as they look/act. My favourite Hobbits along with young(ish) Bilbo.

[The Saucepan Man]

The biggest shame in the Fellowship the movie was the absence of the 'consipiracy' between Pippin, Merry and Sam. It seemed they just ambled along without knowing what was going on.

I agree. Although I can undersatnd why it wasn't in the film, it is nevertheless an important chapter. It explains why Merry and Pippin go along with Frodo and Sam in the first place. And it isn't just because they bump into them trying to escape from Farmer Maggot.

We are your friends, Frodo. Anyway: there it is. We know most of what Gandalf has told you. We know a good deal about the Ring, We are horribly afraid - but we are coming with you; or following you like hounds.

One of the many themes in the book is friendship. And this is a wonderful statement of what friendship means. They cannot begin to imagine quite how terrible it will be, but they know its not going to be a second breakfast in the park, and they are afraid. And yet, their friendship is such that they cannot imagine not going with Frodo and Sam.

That and all the singing in the bath stuff. smilies/smile.gif

[Iarwain]

Chapter Five completely freaked me out the first time. I was sure that the Black Riders were going to come and kill everyone in the night. Plus, "Conspiracy" does not give the chapter the warmest feel...

Over all, I thought it was an extremely tense chapter, though very nice with the whole Sam part. smilies/smile.gif

Iarwain