welcome to my THE LORD OF THE RINGS SITE.
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, one of a race of short, timid creatures who live in
cozy tunnels and who prefer to keep their lives ordered and predictable. One day,
he unexpectedly finds himself playing host to Gandalf the wizard and thirteen
dwarves. The dwarves, with Gandalf's help, plan to travel to the Lonely Mountain
to recover the treasure that a dragon named Smaug stole from their people long
ago. Gandalf has selected Bilbo to be their burglar. The dwarves are not too
happy with the wizard's choice, especially when Bilbo faints at the first talk
of danger. But Gandalf insists there is more to the little hobbit than meets the
eye. Bilbo himself is not sure that he is happy about being chosen burglar. But
a part of him does yearn for adventure, and so one spring morning he finds
himself setting out for Lonely Mountain with Gandalf and the thirteen dwarves.
He does not prove very helpful at first. But then something happens that changes
Bilbo's life. He finds a magic ring that makes him invisible, and has several
opportunities to use it to rescue the dwarves from danger and imprisonment. They
become quite impressed by him, and even rely on him, just as Gandalf foretold.
Bilbo and the dwarves finally reach Lonely Mountain, the home of Smaug the
dragon. The dwarves send Bilbo down a secret passage to the dragon's lair. Bilbo
has more confidence in himself now and not only steals a cup, but manages to
hold his own in a conversation with the wily Smaug (not an easy thing to
do).Furious that someone has dared steal a piece of his treasure, Smaug attacks
the mountainside where the dwarves have their camp. Then he flies toward Lake-
town, to punish the inhabitants for helping the dwarves. The people of Lake-town
run at the sight of Smaug, but one man, Bard, holds his ground. He kills the
dragon with his last arrow and escapes before Smaug falls, smashing the town.
Believing the dwarves are dead, an army of men, led by Bard, and an army of
elves march toward the Lonely Mountain to divide the treasure. They find to
their surprise that the dwarves are still alive. Bard, because he killed the
dragon, claims his rightful share of the treasure. When the dwarves refuse to
surrender it, the army besieges the mountain. Bilbo tries to end the dispute by
stealing the Arkenstone, the piece of treasure most valued by the leader of the
dwarves. He gives the jewel to Bard, hoping it can be used to force the dwarves
to negotiate. Bilbo's bravery wins him praise from all but the dwarves, who are
furious with him. When more dwarves arrive from the north, they are determined
to fight. Just as war begins to break out, an army of goblins and wild wolves
attack. The dwarves, elves, and men forget their differences and join together
to keep from being killed. Help comesat the time of greatest need, and the
goblins are defeated. Bilbo finds that he's a hero, honored by men and elves and
even given a share of the treasure. But he's had enough of adventure and sets
off for home with Gandalf. Once there, he finds that his house and furnishings
are being auctioned off, since everyone believed him dead. Finally, everything
is straightened out and he is able to settle down again into his old,
comfortable life. Although from then on, he is considered eccentric by his
neighbors, he continues his friendship with elves and dwarves and the wizard,
happily recounting his tales to any who will listen. Themes are quite evident
throughout the story of The Hobbit and some of them were more significant than
others. The question of determinism is only hinted at in the last chapter of The
Hobbit, when Gandalf suggests to Bilbo that his adventures may have been
completed for some higher purpose. In The Hobbit the evils of possessiveness
can be easily seen. The hobbits are corrupted by their desire for treasure, and
their greed almost leads to war with men and elves. The main theme that prevails
in this Tolken novel is the on going struggle between the elite and the
plebeians. This can be seen most clearly in The Hobbit. They are weak and often
foolish, yet capable of great acts of heroism that amaze even the very wise and
the such as when Bilbo stole the possessions of Smaug. The Hobbit was a epic
novel written by the greatest author of his time. The Hobbit falls in the series
of books that include The Lord of the Rings and have a full book conclusion to
the trilogy called The Simacurilium. The way that Tolken writes his book is a
way that brings forth the fealing that it is being read to aloud and the reader
is acctually along side Gandalf due to the use of vivid words and different
literary techniques. The novels are quite worth reading and a one is promised
that they shall not get bored with Gandalf and all his wondrous adventures.
Tolkien's famous book, "The Lord of the Rings", has been repudiated as
one of the best fantasies ever written. Tolkien creates a very deep
intimacy between the book and the reader, he captures the reader's
attention and lures him into the story. One of the ways how this cathartic
relationship is created is through the use of reality of the situation in
the story. Tolkien has conjured up a fantasy language, to show the
actuality this novel may present. Some quotations of this language are:
"eleventy-first birthday"; "The invitation were limited to twelve-
dozen (a number also called a Gross by the hobbits)"; "Many young hobbits
were included and present by parental permission for hobbits were easy
going with their children in the matter of sitting up late." ; "What may
you be wanting?"; "It was a cheerless land"; "The hobbits were merrymaking
happily."
Not only does the language create a land but it may also add a bit of
humor. This humor can also express the merriness of the people that have
been written about. The language, in English is not exactly incorrect but
it is odd, strange, and different, which matches the theme and plot.
Tolkien, like mostly every other author has one main, specific goal
during the exposition of the story, which is to capture the reader's
attention. In the beginning of "The Lord of the Rings," Tolkien presents
events of happiness, mystery, tales of power, chase, by evil riders,
battles, and strange encounters. Through this process, Tolkien has created
a grasp upon the reader's attention, although, in the beginning, there is
not much of a sort or understanding of the condition and the state of the
tale. Later on in the story, in the "Council of Ehond," Tolkien regains
control of the story and presents the understanding. At that time, the
reader understands the story, and is also eager to read on. Tolkien thought
of it better to catch the attention and then promote the comprehension of
the tale. "The Lord of the Rings" is indeed a fantastic book with times of
happiness, war, mystery, conflict, and passion. In order to create the full
cathartic effect of presenting and expressing the magnitude of the
potential of each feeling, emphasis must be exercised. If emphasis was not
used, the essence of "The Lord of the Rings" could not be how it is; it
would be a monotonous tale without any events of objects with great
importance. There are two ways of how Tolkien expressed the dynamics. One
way was the use of capitalizing common nouns, making the level of the
word's recognition increased. Some of the quotations of such words are:
"...and was drawing near to the astonishing Disappearance." "There is
lie until the End."; "The ring itself might tell if it were the One.";
"A new Power is rising." The other way of emphasis is personification:
a figure of speech in which a lifeless thing
or quality is spoken of as if alive, or to play the role of another thing.
This can imply more importance into a less-important thing. The use of this
emphasis is shown in these quotations.
"My news is evil."; "We shall need your help, and the help of all
things that will give it."; "The Elder Days are gone. The Middle Days are
passing. The Younger Days are beginning. The time of elves is over, but our
time is at hand."; "The Ring grows in Power and deserves destruction."
This figurative language promotes increase of importance of things
that must be emphasized.
The story presents a very easy to believe story that can be witnessed
in the setting. The setting is a fantastic world of beauty threatened by an
evil overlord and a wizard. The world contains man odd creatures to create
the fill effect of fantasy. Something in which Tolkien added to this tale
to create not only more emotion but also supporting edition to the tale's
reality. He's added rhymes and 'songs' in which some of the characters
chant in the time of boredom. A quote from such a song is: "Gil-galad was
an Elven-king. Of him the harpers sadly sing: the last whose realm was fair
and free between the Mountains and the Sea."
"His sword was long, his lance was keen,
his shining helm afar was seen!"
This use of rhymes transmits a feeling that is sent by the character
singing the song to the reader. This is an effective use of catharsis. In a
story like "The Lord of the Rings", catharsis is very important andessential.
Throughout the whole book, there is one minor weakness. Due to the
many names of all the different characters in the story, each of them can
be easily confused with, causing the reader to be perplexed, and therefore
losing his or interest in the novel. Many of the names sound the same. Once
a name is introduced, many others follow. And then it builds up into a very
long list of jumbled names. Some of the confusing ones are:
Aragorn, Arathorn, Arwen, Athdas, Bolger, Bomladil, Bombur, Boromir,
Eldar, Elendil, Elessar, Eomer, Eru, Galadrid, Galadrim, Gildor, Gil-galad,
Gimli, Glorfindel, Minas Morgul, and Minas Firith.
Overall, "The Lord of the Rings" is an incredible, fantastic book. It
was fairly difficult to read at some parts of the book which had "Boring"
written all over the page, but it was definitely worth all that time. There
is absolutely no doubt about the potential of excellence this book can
generate. Tolkien has written an outstanding book and has proven many
things and has shown many aspects. When Tolkien set out writing this book,
he aimed for a best- seller. When it was completed, he re-defined the words,
"A Masterpiece..."
· Hobbit height ranges between two and four feet tall.
· Hobbits have pointed ears.
· They have oversized feet and never wear shoes.
· Hobbits have curly hair.
· Hobbits love to eat (six substantial meals a day), brew ale, smoke pipe weed, and garden in the Shire where they live.
· Hobbits discourage excessive or adventurous behavior which is why many were surprised that Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin went on such an adventure as told in The Lord of the Rings
· Hobbits are generally very provincial in nature and are typically untrusting of the outside world
· Some Hobbits have lived as long as 130 years, and their average life span is 100 years. 33 years old, the age of Frodo Baggins, is considered "Coming of Age" to adulthood.
· Hobbits are also called "Little Folk," "Little People," or "Halflings."
· Hobbits speak a dialect of the common speech, Westron.
