The Hobbit - Chapter 05 - Riddles in the Dark - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Formendacil · 02-20-2006, 12:27 AM

It seems to have taken me a very long time to post here...

Possibly because, although this is one of my absolute favourite chapters in The Hobbit, I feel I have very little to say.

Therefore, allow me to begin by re-hashing what I've said elsewhere about my thoughts concerning the reworking of this chapter- a reworking that is probably Tolkien's most dramatic showing of his perfectionist trait regarding his written works.

Being only just turned 19- and Canadian, I have only ever owned or read actual copies of The Hobbit from the Third Edition- long after the major changes from the original version, in which Gollum was made a great deal more in keeping with his LotR self.

Personally, I never, not once, felt a difference between the style, tone, and mood of this chapter of the book than the rest of it. If it is, perhaps, a bit darker than those previous, that seemed to fit as Bilbo was now in a much more perilous situation, being trapped underground- alone- with the prospect of running into Goblins, and in danger of being eaten by some foul Gollum-creature.

Nor did I find things to jarring when we return to the original tale in the next chapter, seeing as things remain quite perilous...

Now, regarding my personal feelings towards this chapter, I've always enjoyed the Riddle Contest. Bilbo's luck is very extraordinary, and, if anything, that tended to make me think this chapter rather more childish than the rest, rather than more adult or dark.

Another thought that occurs to me, digging deep back into the recesses of my mind, when I had read The Hobbit, but not yet moved on to the Lord of the Rings, is how remarkable a character Gollum was. Despite only making an appearance here, in one chapter, and that rather early in the book, he makes a vivid impression, and really stays with you. Of the other characters in The Hobbit, only Bilbo, Gandalf, and Smaug really made such an impression on me. Thorin comes close, but only after a book of him. Elrond comes close after reading the Lord of the Rings. Beorn, Balin, and Bombur are all very distant seconds...

Perhaps the rewriting is the reason Gollum was so forceful, but having since read the original version, I'm inclined to think otherwise...

02-20-2006, 12:27 AM	#28
Formendacil Dead Serious Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Perched on Thangorodrim's towers. Posts: 3,328	It seems to have taken me a very long time to post here... Possibly because, although this is one of my absolute favourite chapters in The Hobbit, I feel I have very little to say. Therefore, allow me to begin by re-hashing what I've said elsewhere about my thoughts concerning the reworking of this chapter- a reworking that is probably Tolkien's most dramatic showing of his perfectionist trait regarding his written works. Being only just turned 19- and Canadian, I have only ever owned or read actual copies of The Hobbit from the Third Edition- long after the major changes from the original version, in which Gollum was made a great deal more in keeping with his LotR self. Personally, I never, not once, felt a difference between the style, tone, and mood of this chapter of the book than the rest of it. If it is, perhaps, a bit darker than those previous, that seemed to fit as Bilbo was now in a much more perilous situation, being trapped underground- alone- with the prospect of running into Goblins, and in danger of being eaten by some foul Gollum-creature. Nor did I find things to jarring when we return to the original tale in the next chapter, seeing as things remain quite perilous... Now, regarding my personal feelings towards this chapter, I've always enjoyed the Riddle Contest. Bilbo's luck is very extraordinary, and, if anything, that tended to make me think this chapter rather more childish than the rest, rather than more adult or dark. Another thought that occurs to me, digging deep back into the recesses of my mind, when I had read The Hobbit, but not yet moved on to the Lord of the Rings, is how remarkable a character Gollum was. Despite only making an appearance here, in one chapter, and that rather early in the book, he makes a vivid impression, and really stays with you. Of the other characters in The Hobbit, only Bilbo, Gandalf, and Smaug really made such an impression on me. Thorin comes close, but only after a book of him. Elrond comes close after reading the Lord of the Rings. Beorn, Balin, and Bombur are all very distant seconds... Perhaps the rewriting is the reason Gollum was so forceful, but having since read the original version, I'm inclined to think otherwise... __________________ I prefer history, true or feigned.