The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum


Visit The *EVEN NEWER* Barrow-Downs Photo Page

Go Back   The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum > Middle-Earth Discussions > The Books > Chapter-by-Chapter
User Name
Password
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
Old 08-13-2012, 04:58 PM   #4
Kath
Everlasting Whiteness
 
Kath's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Perusing the laminated book of dreams
Posts: 4,533
Kath is battling Black Riders on Weathertop.Kath is battling Black Riders on Weathertop.Kath is battling Black Riders on Weathertop.
Send a message via MSN to Kath
I always found the Elves in this chapter very interesting, even more so after reading Lord of the Rings. If the Elves are these incredibly wise, all-knowing and intelligent creatures why do they imprison the Dwarves? They must know that they are not going to be any real threat, especially within the home domain of the Elves. Yet these Elves are quick to anger, love treasure in a similar fashion to the Dwarves and shut the Dwarves up somewhere rather than engaging them in discussion.

Really the chapter gives more information about the inherent distrust and dislike the Elves and Dwarves have for each other. Or rather, an implicit understanding that these races just do not get on. Reading Lord of the Rings after this and the chapter in which Gimli must be blindfolded to enter Lothlorien, despite the Dwarves having had no real negative dealing with the Elves in years and the fact that Sauron is at large in the world - it is an interesting little extra detail in the story. Old hatreds continuing with no reason.

One thing I love here is the 'breaking the fourth wall' aspect that pops up. When Tolkien mentions to the reader that we have probably figured out the flaw in Bilbo's plan - he has no barrel! The feeling of secret, inside knowledge it gives you as a reader makes you enjoy the chapter even more. It makes you worry for Bilbo because you are then more involved in wanting to know how he is going to get out! It's a very effective little one liner.
__________________
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
Kath is offline   Reply With Quote
 

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:01 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.