The Hobbit - Chapter 12 - Inside Information

[Bêthberry]

Thank you Estelyn for another well done entry to this chapter by chapter discussion. You put us all to shame with your great dedication, patience and persistence.

Aiwendil's post is also very well done, putting Smaug in the context of story and fairie and dragon lore; I don't think I could add much.

Tolkien's initial description of Smaug is interesting in its familiar domesticity and in its details appealing to the senses. Sound must have been important to Tolkien I would think. And here we have another example of Tolkien's dislike of cats!

A sound, too, began to throb in his [Bilbo's] ears, a sort of bubbling like the noise of a large pot galloping on the fire, mixed with a rumble as of a gigantic tom-cat purring. This grew to the unmistakable gurglingnoise of some vast animal snoring in its sleep down there int he red glow in front of him.

Just a few other observations of things I enjoy in this chapter, aside from the dragon himself:

As Bilbo sneaks down the tunnel, I cannot help but recall that hobbits too lived underground and wonder if this familiarity with tunnels is something that aids Bilbo.

I enjoy Bilbo's riddling with Smaug, particularly his name-creation; it is almost a species of boasting and really lifts Bilbo's character, particularly in its lyrical quality. Here is a suggestion of Bilbo's penchant for writing which will later allow him to write his tales. Interesting too how he refers to the Ring:

'I am the clue-finder, the web-cutter, the stinging fly. I was chosen for the lucky number.'

'Lovely titles,' sneered the dragon. "But lucky numbers don't always come off.'

'I am he that buries his friends alive and drowns them and draws them alive again from the water. I came from the end of a bag, but no bag went over me.'

'These don't sound so credible,' scoffed Smaug.

'I am the friend of bears and the guest of eagles. I am Ringwinner and Luckwearer; and I am Barrel-rider,' went on Bilbo...

And trust our vain little hobbit who loves his waistcoat and buttons to notice that Smaug has a diamond waistcoat! It can't be said that hobbits are completely dissimilar to dragons!

There is one final passage I find particularly intriguing. It begins the description of Bilbo's coming under the spell of the treasure hoard.

To say that Bilbo's breath was taken away is no description at all. There are no words left to express his staggerment, since Men changed the language that they learned of elves in the days when all the world was wonderful.

As Aiwendil suggests, there are touches in this story which lift The Hobbit to another plane.