The Hobbit

[uniquelyhis]

Some time ago I ignorantly put down the Lord of the Rings and I apologized. A friend of mine is getting me interested but she told me that I will need to read the Hobbit. I am not one for dwarves, wizrds and elves and dragons, but the book is good. I am almost finished and can't wait to read LOTR. I wish I could see the movie now. maybe when it is at the dollar cinema.

[Barney]

If you're 'enjoying' the Hobbit....you'll 'love' LOTR!!!!!!!!

You're gonna ask yourself why you didn't read it sooner!

[fluffy]

Has it never occured to you that these books are evil??

[Vinnie]

I've seen the thought passed around but I've never been convinced that they are evil. In fact, I believe just the opposite.

[AmbientExtol]

Tolkien's books all are a classical good vs evil story and though they contain magic in them (nothing says that elves, dwarves, and dragons are evil..they are make believe for pete's sake) I cannot say that they are "evil". You can argue that kids will read them and decide they want to become a wizard and blah blah blah, but the truth is that nobody under the age of 15 is going to make it through LOTR, I doubt. It's 1200+ pages! Some compare it to Harry Potter, but the main and defining difference is that Harry Potter takes place in our world, on this planet. LOTR is in it's own world apart from ours.

[Kristine]

I recently viewed Lord of the Rings in theatre (twice) and come this summer I hope to read through Tolkien's works (at least start through them)

I agree with the previous posters who defined the books as a great portrayal of the battle between good and evil. Anyone who is crusading for the gospel and/or moral justice of any kind, will be inspired by the motivation and determination of the characters towards their given tasks.

One of the verbal exchanges in LOTR that inspired me was a conversation between Frodo and the wizzard in which Frodo was desparing of the struggle and responsibility that came with being the bearer of the ring, which he was to help destroy.

Frodo said something to the effect of "I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish I never had been given this task."

The wizzard replied: "So do all who live to see such times. But it is not for you to decide, it is only for you to choose what you will do with the time you have been given."

At another point the wizzard imparted these words of wisdom unto Frodo: "Never doubt that even the smallest person can make a world of difference."

Anyone who condemns Tolkien's works, has not truly read or experienced them for himself.

Not every book with a wizzard or witch is inherently evil, otherwise the Bible would be evil for speaking of the struggle against the devil.

Kristine

[Vinnie]

I watched the movie about 12 times I think. Though, I managed to get a copy of it on two cds I can watch on my computer until the dvd comes out :angel:

Frodo: Its a pity Biblo didn't kill him when he had the chance!

Gandalf: Pity? It is pity that stayed Bilbo's hand. Many that lived deserved death. Some that died deserved life. Can you gie it to them Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death and judgement.

Frodo : I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.

Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides those of evil.

Actually, I think JRR T saw his work as "true myth."

At another point the wizzard imparted these words of wisdom unto Frodo: "Never doubt that even the smallest person can make a world of difference."

I thought Galadriel said that? Maybe they both did....

[Kittycat]

They are reproducing the DVD twice.
First copy is Aug.6 (my birthday! ;) )
2 hours of behind the scenes stuff
2 discs
15 featuerettes
10 minute preview of The Two Towers
sold in full screen and widescreen versions

Second copy will be released Nov. 12
add 30 minutes to the movie, but it will be focusing on Aragorn
more violent rateing will probably be bumped up to R
6 hours of featurettes

Then an Extended Edition will come forth will come with bookends,game cards, and a National Geographics's
"Beyond the Movie" DVD.

Also this weekend they will be showing Ten Minutes of The Two Towers in the Lord of the Rings movie.

[Kristine]

Vinnie,

Thanks for those great quotes. It may very well have been Galadriel who said the other quote, I've only seen it twice (and once late at night, when i'd had only four hours of sleep and been up very early that morning) so some details I might not have caught as well as someone who has seen it 10 times more.

I'm glad to have the exact wording of the 'so do all who live to see such times' quote. I was going by memory, good to see I was pretty close.

I'd forgotten about the 'some that lived deserved to die, and some that died deserve to live' quote. That one especially struck me as I am involved in the daily battle to see the unborn who are deserving of life get that life. It really inspired me of the immensity of the challenge and yet the great need to continue perservering and fighting the fight, doing what needs to be done.


The only part I didn't like about the movie was that it had no conclusion. Any idea when the next one is scheduled to come out? Hopefully they won't delay too long. I don't think i can wait much longer to know whether or not Gandalf is really dead.

Has anyone read the triology? Does it read as easily as the movie views? I've never read any other Tolkien, do I have to have read the Hobbit to fully know what the characters and creatures are?

[Kittycat]

The movies leave a LOT out. Nothing REALLY important but some details, and some very interesting parts.
It had no conclusion because two more movies are still to come. It leaves you hanging. It just depends on what you prefer.
I say no you do not have to read the Hobbit. You will just find out how they found the Ring. The Hobbit is more of a child's tale not an adult-like series such as LOTR.
But there is anothe book that would be great background reading. The Silmarillion. More background but introduces and gives a bunch of history for the inquiring mind.







JFYI-it will probably be rated R because MORE violence. I left out the reason. LOL!

[Vinnie]

I say no you do not have to read the Hobbit. You will just find out how they found the Ring. The Hobbit is more of a child's tale not an adult-like series such as LOTR.

Ignore that. Kitty must have gotten some catnip for easter :D

Its the Hobbit where we learn all about Hobbits! It totally sets the stage. You first meat Gandalf there too. Your appreciation of Gandalf will be better if you read the Hobbit.

You'll understand the first chapter of the Fellowship of the Ring better if you read the Hobbit.

Middle earth is a whole new world in and of itself. To better understand it and appreciate JRR's work you should read it. You don't have to to read theHobbit first but you should.

Cat, remember in the movie when the eagle saved Gandalf? If you don't read the Hobbit you don't know the relation between Gandalf and the eagles. Don't read it and you miss the trolls in the hobbit, you miss the battle of five armies, bilbo's talks with smaug, riddles in the dark! etc. etc.

Cmon, you got mirkwood forest, the misty mountains.....so much of middle earth is explored!

[Kittycat]

Catnip?who has catnip?
ha ha ha no I did not get any :(

Only if you like background stuff.:rolleyes: You might as well start off reading the Silmarillion very first then! :p Yeah ok fine it is just that it was meant as a children's story that really turns me off about it. Lord of the Rings has more gore and violence more detail about it, more of an adult series. The Hobbit has never been my favorite book. I for some reason like books that have more characters, to unlock their past and indentities just from what you are given, by their expressions and stuff. Hobbit has very few main characters so as not to loose you. The more confusing and intriguing the better!
*side note*
[oh in geography we are studying Mediteranean countries. Notice the Mediteranean=means Middle Land. In Spain there are the counties of Aragon and Bilboa. (gee do these names sound familiar?) I am comparing the shape of the M.Sea to the map of the Middle Earth as of now. Just some thoughts on where Tolkien might have gotten his ideas from.:D I dunno I may be crazy but I thought that was interesting.]
~Kitty~

Say NO to catnip!

[Vinnie]

The hobbit has a ton of Characters. All the dwarves, Bilbo, Gandalf, Beorn, Smaugh, that Bard dude, the Elves of mirkwood forest, Gollum etc etc

Yes the Lord of the Rings is wider in scope but I think you are just forgetting most of the little stuff you learned in the hobbit.



You might as well start off reading the Silmarillion very first then!

Thats in a totally different age and with totally difference things.

[Flannel Avenger]

If you want to argue with Vinnie, you should know that he's sneakier than a politician...

[Kittycat]

They did not give you as much to figure them out with. They already did that for you. Tolkien introduced them and then they lived happy ever after. No mystery, no suspense, no dark and evil past. BORING!
The Silmarillion has a main line character...Gandalf. You find out the very beginning the Genesis of the middle earth. The Hobbit just picks it up ages later. Then Lord of the Rings picks it up a few years down the road. Then you find out the end of the original characters. Or if not in the story but in the Appendix. Then you stop and go whoa I know more about their life than they do.
Plot structure of the Hobbit is so limited. Greed for gold.Trolls. Spiders. Goblins. Destroy a dragon. War. Peace. Go home
:boring:
At least in Lord of the Rings they have a purpose. To defeat evil. A more in depth plot. Unlike the Hobbit who's bits and pieces of simple minded problems are rather "cutesy" , bed time story-like. Oooh the dwarves and a hobbit have to get away from the big bad trolls! (scawrey scawrey):eek:
I guess, me having read more "adult" like novels, has had enough character ****ysis's that the Hobbit is nothing more than a child's tale. Where I have had to do ****ysis's on Shakespear and such; found the Lord of the Rings series more of a challenge from a modern day writer. Really you do not find that many challenges from a modern day writer. I have found the more challenging novels from before the 1800's. Lord of the Rings has it's own languages which are fun to crack. Maps to see where he got his inspirations from. You have nothing challengeing about the Hobbit. No languages or such. The Hobbit is easy reading. So if you are one who does not like a challenging book go a head and read it. But again when I read I do my own character ****ysis's in head or on paper for more understanding, most people do not do such. I do it to get a feel for the book and recreate the world in my head, for fun or for art.( I am trying to draw certain scenes from Lord of the Rings)
wow I just realized how much I wrote. This must be my longest post yet! ;) go me!
~Kitty~

[Flannel Avenger]

How do you read so much and post so much and play softball and do your schoolwork?? You don't sleep, do you?

[Kittycat]

I manage my time wisely
i.e. math homework I have at least one study hall before....:-D
7-9 is my internet time
softball screws up all of the rest of my sparetime
4-H takes up any of the time that softball missed
sleep starts at 10:30
:biggrin: :angel:

[Flannel Avenger]

4H too??

You're not human!!!

You're not a cat either!! Cats sleep 17 hours a day!!!

[Kittycat]

You actually know what 4-H is!!! Wow first person! I thought I was imagining for a while!
I happen to be Austin County's 3rd Vice Chairman on the County Council. 1st Vice of Tapestry 4-H!
I mainly do photography,horticulture,clothing and textiles, and food and nutrition. :D our f&n team is going to state!


I must be alien then too.:D

[Flannel Avenger]

Overachiever.

There are people who don't about 4H?? And they live in the South??

[Kittycat]

*COUGHtriciaCOUGH*

:D that or they think it is all animals!:stinkeye: WHICH IT IS NOT
I will be going to Texas 4-H Congress, Maybe National 4-H in Georgia...MAYBE. Will try to though.

[Flannel Avenger]

How did she get animal from horticulture??

Are you looking at a future in Ag?

[Kittycat]

in Texas 4-H is associated with animals only.

um...not for sure yet...maybe or that in Law Enforcement, or Communications....

[Flannel Avenger]

really? The exhibits I saw at the NC State fair were pretty balanced.

You should check out NC State University (www.ncsu.edu), we have Com, Law Enforcement, AND Agriculture degrees :D

[Kittycat]

By the time I will be in college you wouldnt be there....
A&M and wharton and *gag* TU also have those majors..

[Flannel Avenger]

But none are as good as NC State. I actually live right down the street from the University farms. I see the cows every day.

There's no guarantee I won't be there :angel:

Realistically, I won't, but you never know.

[Kittycat]

are you sure about that? :D

[Kittycat]

Originally posted by Flannel Avenger
really? The exhibits I saw at the NC State fair were pretty balanced.

You should check out NC State University (www.ncsu.edu), we have Com, Law Enforcement, AND Agriculture degrees :D
a sales pitch eh? hm....I'll THINK about it.:D no garuantees though.

[Flannel Avenger]

I have to put in the plug for my school :D

[Kittycat]

:biggrin: :angel:
and you do a nice job of it too!

[uniquelyhis]

[FONT=arial] Thank you all for your response. I am sorry I started this whole thing. The only reason why I read the hobbit was because my friend tolfd me i should read it first. I am glad I did because if i didn't, I still wouldn't want to see LOTR.
By the way, there is such a thing as a "golem" look it up in your dictionary

[Vinnie]

Wasn't it gollum in the books?

[Kittycat]

yep

[uniquelyhis]

Golem is in the book. If the charecter name isn't spelled that way then I am wrong. But it is interesting to see that he is linked to a jewish myth. :)

[Kittycat]

Gollum

[ZeroDivide]

Gollum.

or Sméagol. I don't remember any "Golem"s in the book, but its been awhile since I read "The Hobbit", so...

[ZeroDivide]

In other news, the thing that happens (no spoilers) in Book 6 when Frodo finally gets to Mount Doom... that is a real classy piece of writing.

[Flannel Avenger]

Spoiling is my favorite hobby :D

[Kittycat]

Book 6???? I thought it was 3.....:confused:

Flannel- Dont you dare.....

[ZeroDivide]

Its book six in mine. Or part two of "Return of the King"

[Kittycat]

Ooh,
I thought that after I posted it. We have to do book reports. I chose Return of the King. Interesting thing is I have to make this into a childrens story. :eek: :p oh well. That is very interesting how your books are divided differently. *lol*
~Kitty~