Single Quotes? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Tigerlily Gamgee · 02-26-2002, 04:58 PM

I noticed that as well. At first it confused me, but then I let it go. One thing I noticed in the appendixes... if you read the foot notes at the bottom, Tolkien writes things such as, "I believe that Bilbo was referring to..." - almost as if he is writing onto paper what Bilbo once wrote - it would make sense to use single quotes if he was quoting someone else's work to begin with. It's just a theory, but who knows. He always talks about Bilbo writing these stories, maybe he wanted it to appear that way.
Any thoughts or opinions on this far-fetched theory?

02-26-2002, 04:58 PM	#8
Tigerlily Gamgee Hostess of Spirits Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Meduseld Posts: 1,055	I noticed that as well. At first it confused me, but then I let it go. One thing I noticed in the appendixes... if you read the foot notes at the bottom, Tolkien writes things such as, "I believe that Bilbo was referring to..." - almost as if he is writing onto paper what Bilbo once wrote - it would make sense to use single quotes if he was quoting someone else's work to begin with. It's just a theory, but who knows. He always talks about Bilbo writing these stories, maybe he wanted it to appear that way. Any thoughts or opinions on this far-fetched theory? __________________ ~ ExerciseJunky.com (Hobbits fitness of choice!)~ ~Lady of Rohan: An Eowyn Fansite ~ ~The NEW/OLD Barrow Downs Photo Page~