Bilbo Baggins Testimonial Day! - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

littlemanpoet · 05-23-2002, 10:04 AM

Another great thread, Child. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Whenever I read the sections on Rivendell in FotR, I find myself grinning with a little bit of embarrasment at Bilbo's crotchety ways and words, somewhat taken aback by the Elves putting up with him so graciously.

Which tells you that I had forgotten everything good about him that you delineated. Thanks for that, Child.

When I'm not looking down my elvish (small 'e') nose at Bilbo in Rivendell, I'm more likely to be moved to sadness by the travails of the Ring still evident in him, and the sadness of the Grey Havens.

Dislike about him? Not a thing. My embarassment at his words probably says more about me than him or Tolkien's purpose.

I love his courage, decisiveness (especially in terms of settling the dispute between the Dwarves and their opponents at the Lonely Mountain by "lifting" the arkenstone), and his humility.

I think I especially like about him how he doesn't "give a hang" what other hobbits think about him while being gracious to all of them. That is a combination of traits I admire and aspire (hopelessly) to.

05-23-2002, 10:04 AM	#1
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Another great thread, Child. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Whenever I read the sections on Rivendell in FotR, I find myself grinning with a little bit of embarrasment at Bilbo's crotchety ways and words, somewhat taken aback by the Elves putting up with him so graciously. Which tells you that I had forgotten everything good about him that you delineated. Thanks for that, Child. When I'm not looking down my elvish (small 'e') nose at Bilbo in Rivendell, I'm more likely to be moved to sadness by the travails of the Ring still evident in him, and the sadness of the Grey Havens. Dislike about him? Not a thing. My embarassment at his words probably says more about me than him or Tolkien's purpose. I love his courage, decisiveness (especially in terms of settling the dispute between the Dwarves and their opponents at the Lonely Mountain by "lifting" the arkenstone), and his humility. I think I especially like about him how he doesn't "give a hang" what other hobbits think about him while being gracious to all of them. That is a combination of traits I admire and aspire (hopelessly) to.