The Hobbit - Chapter 06 - Out of the Frying-Pan Into the Fire

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Kath

I suppose Bilbo's immediate reluctance to tell the true story about how he got out of the tunnels could be a sign of the power of the Ring, that it has already begun to exert an influence over him. However, it could also be that he felt deep down that he had got it from Gollum by unfair means because, once he realised that he was holding the very thing this creature wanted, he kept it.

But again the canonicity-question (or kind of)! Those that you mention are surely Bilbo's motives from a viewpoint which includes LotR, but if we think about TH as one sole book that was written before LotR, the ring-effects-motive possibly can't be. Because the Ring wasn't (read: Tolkien didn't consider the ring) such a significant item that altered people's behaviour.

Bilbo's dream, of searching all round the house, perhaps as A_Brandybuck says it is an early warning of how the Ring will affect him? I believe in LotR he says that he is constantly needing to know where it is, so maybe.

Again, a good point if we include LotR in our consideration, if not it's a little use.

[Kath]

Because the Ring wasn't (read: Tolkien didn't consider the ring) such a significant item that altered people's behaviour.

Do you know that? I'm not saying you're wrong I just don't know. Perhaps in writing it he did realise what an impact it might have. We know he changed bits of the story to make it fit in with LotR, but perhaps this was something that had already come into his head.

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Kath

Do you know that? I'm not saying you're wrong I just don't know. Perhaps in writing it he did realise what an impact it might have. We know he changed bits of the story to make it fit in with LotR, but perhaps this was something that had already come into his head.

Of course I can't know!
...
I was just assuming.

[Kath]

Ah I see, I thought perhaps you had read it somewhere!