Quote:
Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar
It's unusual for Tolkien to choose a chapter title that almost gives away the end of the chapter. I wonder why he did so here? (The reason could be something so mundane as that nothing better occurred to him...)
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Well,
Flies and Spiders was pretty suggestive itself.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar
Normally, both here and in LotR, Elven realms are safe havens for those travellers who come there. However, Dwarves are an exception - captives here, and even in Lothlorien later, Gimli's eyes had to be blindfolded. Still, I think the Dwarves' lives were saved in this case, since they escaped Mirkwood and had food and drink during their captivity.
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I don't think there's any doubt the wood-elves saved the lives of Thorin and Co.
In the context of
The Hobbit, without knowing a great deal of the history of elves in general, I think the actions of the wood-elves are more a contrast to the earlier treatment the company received at the hands of the goblins than anything else.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar
Bilbo could have had a more enjoyable stay in other company, but since he was the only one who was able to find an escape, this episode is crucial to his personal development. I imagine the upcoming movies will make a good deal more of this chapter - it does have possibilities! His use of the ring is crucial to the plot at this point - without invisibility, he could not have helped the Dwarves.
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Invisibility certainly made the escape possible. Bilbo is not only using his own resources to help his friends, but he makes use of what seemed to him to be merely a useful tool.
It's interesting though, the way the Ring becomes so crucial to Bilbo's success so quickly, almost as if it were itself suggesting he use it.
