[Boromir88]

I got this itch to return to Tolkien again after reading all the Dexter books. How a serial killer of serial killers working in a police department segues to "I want to get back to Tolkien" I have no idea but it did. I picked up The Hobbit today, read the first chapter and scanned through the previous CBC discussions and suddenly my Tookishness kicked into action.

I don't know where this will go, because I probably won't have a post for every chapter and I don't expect anyone to pick up the book and join me. I'm just going to try to take advantage of the standing offer to post and add to previous CBC threads.

This time reading it I'd like to pay more attention to the dwarves, and how the book gets knocked for it's lack of depth. It could well be by the end my opinion that it would have been better with 4-5 fewer dwarves (sorry Kuru and Agan ) and more depth provided on a fewer number of dwarves. But maybe I'll be surprised.

I do think An Unexpected Party contains more depth than what it's usually given credit for...is there another book where the reader is introduced to 15 characters in slightly over 20 pages? Also, within the same chapter there is a detailed description of Bag End, Bilbo's parentage as a Baggins and a Took, Gandalf's backstory, glimpses of a deeper history and world: wereworms, Bullroarer Took's victory over Golfimbul, Gandalf's fireworks at the Old Took''s birthday party, a short exchange between Thorin and Gandalf about the Necromancer (unbeknownst to the reader at the time this turns out to be the big bad evil of the past and in the future). And of course what the story is going to be about, the loss of Erebor and the dwarves seeking to take back their riches from Smaug is all laid out in a little over 20 pages. It's rather stunning to just sit and think how Tolkien does not waste a sentence, let alone doesn't waste a word. (as well as depressing considering all the waste and trash in Jackson's movies).

A sort of running log, on what I discover about the individual dwarves (or maybe I forget a lot and am relearning all that I forgot?):

Thorin - an important dwarf. Wore a sky-blue hood with a silver tassle, and plays a harp. Naturally he gets the best bedroom to sleep in. Along with Gandalf, drinks red wine. It might turn out that Thorin is the individual dwarf we learn the most about in Tolkien's Legendarium. Where Tolkien doesn't like to waste words Thorin appears to pick up the slack. The first conversation between Gandalf and Bilbo gets a lot of discussion (and rightfully so) but I also think the interactions between Thorin and Bilbo is humorous tension.

"Gandalf, dwarves and Mr. Baggins! We are met together in the house of our friend and fellow conspirator, this most excellent and audacious hobbit - may the hair on his toes never fall out! all praise to his wine and ale! -" He paused for breath and for polite remark from the hobbit, but the compliments were quite lost on poor Bilbo Baggins, who was wagging his mouth in protest at being called audacious and worst of all fellow conspirator,...

In "mock-politeness" he asks for Bilbo's expert burglar input. We also learn about his grand-father and father when Gandalf gives him the map and key and their history with Azog.

Dwalin- first to arrive. "blue beard tucked into a golden belt, and very bright eyes under his dark-green hood." Brother of Balin. It said he pushed himself inside once Bilbo opened the door. Along with Balin plays a "viol as big as himself." I would say Dwalin is one of the well-to-do dwarves in the company. I don't know the intricacies of instruments but a large viol to me suggests a higher status symbol than a clarinet or flute. Also, he must think himself also pretty important by the way it's remarked he forces himself in as soon as Bilbo opens the door.

Balin- The oldest dwarf, red-hood and white beard. Brother of Dwalin, but also catch a different personality from his younger brother. Where Dwalin pushed his way in, when the door opened, Balin "hopped inside" and "Balin at your service!" he said with his hand on his breast. Bilbo offers him tea, Balin prefers ale and seed-cakes.

Fili and Kili- brothers, nephews to Thorin and the youngest dwarves - "blue hoods, silver belts and yellow beards." Carrying a bag of tools and each a spade. Play fiddles. Named, along with Bilbo as being too young to know their exact situation with Smaug and quest.

Dori, Ori, Nori - not sure if it's every established how these 3 are related. They all play the flute. Nothing in this chapter to really distinguish between them, besides Dori and Nori wear purple hoods and Ori a grey hood. This group calls out for ale, some porter and one of them for coffee. I wonder which one is the coffee drinker?

Oin and Gloin -They come in with Dori, Ori and Nori, and I don't think their relationship is mentioned in this chapter. At some point, I believe it's revealed they are brothers. No instrument is mentioned for either of them. Where Thorin is too important to be plain and direct with his words, Gloin steps in as Thorin's bully. He is the most direct in his doubts about Gandalf's choice in Bilbo Baggins.

"As soon as I clapped eyes on the little fellow bobbing and puffing on the mat I had my doubts. He looks more like a grocer than a burglar."

"Yes, yes, but that was long ago," said Gloin. "I was talking about you."

If this was re-imagined into Thorin's mafia family, I'm picturing Gloin as the meat-headed muscle/enforcer of the mob family. He truly is a bully to Bilbo, but Gandalf puts him in his place:

"Of course there is a mark," said Gandalf. "I put it there myself. For very good reasons. You asked me to find a fourteenth man for your expedition, and I chose Mr. Baggins. Just let any one say I chose the wrong man or the wrong house, and you can stop at thirteen and have all the bad luck you like, or go back to digging coal."

Gandalf's insult directed at Gloin about digging coal, reinforces he is not the important, well-to-do dwarf that Thorin is.

Bifur- yellow hood, played a clarinet. Requested raspberry jam and apple tart.
Bofur - yellow hood, played a clarinet. Requested mince-pies and cheese.
Bombur- Pale green hood, established as the fattest of the dwarves. Characterized as the the "comedic relief" in the company by requesting a "pork-pie and salad." Plays a drum.

Do the hood colors, instruments, and special food requests reveal anything about the individual dwarves? If so, I'm not sure what other than in some cases like Thorin and Bombur. But how about the "mince pies and cheese" of Bofur, and "raspberry jam and apple tart" of Bifur?