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doug*platypus · 02-01-2003, 04:14 AM

Goodie, another homework thread. Where were these things when I was at school??

I kick myself every time I think of it, but I have read a brilliant analysis of The Hobbit, the title and author of which I can't remember. I know exactly which bookshelf, level and library it is in, but that is 500 km away! Among the many gems, it took the various adventures in which the heroes take place and compares them.

For example, all of them involve being underground, or out of the light, a common theme in myths as well (apparently). In the Trolls' sacks, in the Goblin City, in the Elvenking's halls, in the Lonely Mountain.

Also, the means by which they are saved generally involve water. The Long Lake that quenches Smaug, the famous barrel ride, and being dropped on the Carrock in the middle of Anduing are examples. Crossing the Ford of Bruinen could be construed as another one, as arriving at Rivendell places them out of all danger for a while.

I believe there's lots of mini-themes you can draw from the book, as well. The Eagles, and Beorn as well, are fearsome creatures, but are still on the side of Gandalf. Peoples' appearances can be deceiving.

A more obvious one is the fate of the greedy, such as Thorin. In his lust for treasure and power, he drives away all possible friends or allies (even Bilbo), apart from other dwarves. So perhaps on a larger scale, dwarves represent greedy people (forgive me if you already knew this, I just thought of it then!). Thorin does repent before the end, but is (of course) slain. The wages of sin is death, as Thorin, Isildur, Fëanor, Boromir and Gollum (among many, many others) show us throughout Tolkien's works.

Elves in The Hobbit, as everywhere else, represent the higher parts of human nature. Thranduil is possibly the most reasonable person in the book, and seems like a pretty good guy, apart from his resentment towards dwarves. So the fact that there are elves out there (Elrond included) in the world should be a source of hope for us.

Bard is like a poor man's Aragorn. He has noble blood which has been hidden for ages, but first earns his position as king through his bravery and his strength, one damn good arrow and a little bird. All that is gold does not glitter.

Smaug shows the folly of pride, mostly when Bilbo tricks him into revealing his weak spot by flattery. You could also draw from this a moral about not listening to flatterers - very Aesop (I can't remember which one, though!).

In their two appearances the Eagles, like they always do, make present Tolkien's belief that somewhere there is a higher authority watching over events. The Eagles work the will of Manwë, and therefore Ilúvatar, showing up much like the Millennium Falcon (hey, weird!) when all seems hopeless.

Just a children's book?? Yeah, right.

02-01-2003, 04:14 AM	#8
doug*platypus Delver in the Deep Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 960	Goodie, another homework thread. Where were these things when I was at school?? I kick myself every time I think of it, but I have read a brilliant analysis of The Hobbit, the title and author of which I can't remember. I know exactly which bookshelf, level and library it is in, but that is 500 km away! Among the many gems, it took the various adventures in which the heroes take place and compares them. For example, all of them involve being underground, or out of the light, a common theme in myths as well (apparently). In the Trolls' sacks, in the Goblin City, in the Elvenking's halls, in the Lonely Mountain. Also, the means by which they are saved generally involve water. The Long Lake that quenches Smaug, the famous barrel ride, and being dropped on the Carrock in the middle of Anduing are examples. Crossing the Ford of Bruinen could be construed as another one, as arriving at Rivendell places them out of all danger for a while. I believe there's lots of mini-themes you can draw from the book, as well. The Eagles, and Beorn as well, are fearsome creatures, but are still on the side of Gandalf. Peoples' appearances can be deceiving. A more obvious one is the fate of the greedy, such as Thorin. In his lust for treasure and power, he drives away all possible friends or allies (even Bilbo), apart from other dwarves. So perhaps on a larger scale, dwarves represent greedy people (forgive me if you already knew this, I just thought of it then!). Thorin does repent before the end, but is (of course) slain. The wages of sin is death, as Thorin, Isildur, Fëanor, Boromir and Gollum (among many, many others) show us throughout Tolkien's works. Elves in The Hobbit, as everywhere else, represent the higher parts of human nature. Thranduil is possibly the most reasonable person in the book, and seems like a pretty good guy, apart from his resentment towards dwarves. So the fact that there are elves out there (Elrond included) in the world should be a source of hope for us. Bard is like a poor man's Aragorn. He has noble blood which has been hidden for ages, but first earns his position as king through his bravery and his strength, one damn good arrow and a little bird. All that is gold does not glitter. Smaug shows the folly of pride, mostly when Bilbo tricks him into revealing his weak spot by flattery. You could also draw from this a moral about not listening to flatterers - very Aesop (I can't remember which one, though!). In their two appearances the Eagles, like they always do, make present Tolkien's belief that somewhere there is a higher authority watching over events. The Eagles work the will of Manwë, and therefore Ilúvatar, showing up much like the Millennium Falcon (hey, weird!) when all seems hopeless. Just a children's book?? Yeah, right. __________________ But Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself, not in your name'.