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Post by Eru on Feb 7, 2005 12:10:49 GMT -5
The epic begins!A LONG-EXPECTED PARTYIn this chapter, we learn that since his dragon adventure, Bilbo has developed some odd ways according to his fellow hobbits, shares his wealth, and has adopted his cousin Frodo. Frodo & Bilbo just happen to share the same birthday, as well. The main focus of the chapter is a huge birthday party, with Bilbo celebrating his 111th birthday and Frodo his 33rd (his coming of age). Questions to Ponder(please feel free to answer one, all, or none of the questions, they are here to help get you thinking about the chapter)
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Post by Lady of Light on Feb 7, 2005 19:49:01 GMT -5
I was wondering...what happened to the guests that were not family and could not come into the big pavilion for the dinner party? Did they eat outside the pavilion? And did they get to hear and watch Bilbo's speech?
What do you think of the guests reaction to Bilbo's speech and surprise? What do you think your reaction would have been?
I don't think I would have been quite as speechless as they all seemed to be. I would have been more of the one who would want to go find out where he went off to and what he was up too.
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Post by Eru on Feb 8, 2005 9:04:00 GMT -5
I love the way Hobbits celebrate birthdays. I think that is the way we should celebrate them. More emphasis on the celebration & giving and less on the getting.
What do you think of the guests reaction to Bilbo's speech and surprise? What do you think your reaction would have been?
I think some of the Hobbits were rather rude during Bilbo's speech. They were only tolerating it because they wanted something (more food & drink). But I guess that is also a bit of the nature of Hobbits.
I think if I were a Hobbit I would probably have been among one of Bilbo's friends, but most likely not close enough to know about the ring. I love listening to stories and hearing tales. Now the surprise would have totally shocked me. I probably would have thought it was just another of Bilbo's jokes.
Describe the power the Ring over Bilbo? Why was he able to give it up?
The ring had a power over Bilbo. The Ring seems very controlling, all-consuming. It becomes an obsession. Bilbo was only able to give it up with the help of Gandalf and Bilbo's desire to be free and have a rest.
What other things do you learn about the Ring? What are your impressions regarding the Ring?
The ring frightens me a bit. When I read the Hobbit, I thought wow what good fortune in finding it and how handy it was. Never thought that there might some evil behind it.
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Post by Goblinglow on Feb 9, 2005 17:39:19 GMT -5
What sort of community is Hobbiton? From this chapter, can you tell what sort of values Hobbits seem to have and/or find important? I've always believed Hobbiton was sort of a calm, peaceful town filled with Hobbits with their own mellow, yet apparently important priorities. ![;)](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/Hannah22/Fourm/wink.gif) They love eating, and have more than one breakfast and lunch a day, but they also like smoking. During large birthday celebrations, Hobbits (unlike Men) give each other gifts on their own birthdays. What do you think of the guests reaction to Bilbo's speech and surprise? What do you think your reaction would have been? I don't find it surprising that the Hobbits acted the way they did. They're a little too unused to things that what Bilbo did happening in the Shire. Taking I knew about as much as Bilbo's guests at the party, I think I would have been shocked. Here's this Hobbit giving a speech on the platform, and then out of nowhere he disappears. It's stunning if you think about it.
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Post by Beren Erchamion on Feb 10, 2005 7:13:28 GMT -5
What sort of community is Hobbiton? From this chapter, can you tell what sort of values Hobbits seem to have and/or find important? I think the Hobbits are just like us in a lot of ways. I mean, who doesn't have a trove of mathoms cluttering up their house? Who doesn't enjoy about six meals in a day? And everybody likes to curl up once in a while with a pipe full of... Longbottom Leaf.
In what sense does Tolkien's writing style fit (or not fit) the content of the chapter (the depiction of Hobbiton, the party and Bilbo's leaving)? I also never noticed the use of apostrophes instead of quotations in LotR. I guess I just got used to it before. Tolkien's well-established preference of history over allegory is great and all, but come on! Apostrophes in place of quotes?!
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