Philotic Web

One of the most consistently underappreciated elements of “The Hobbit” is Tolkien’s use of poetry and song throughout the book. Most readers skim over the poems or even skip them outright, but they miss out on some of Tolkien’s most thoughtful and compelling literary moments. The songs in “The Hobbit” are not merely verses embedded in the story; they are poems carefully designed to capture the voices and illustrate the attitudes of their singers.

The simple chant of the goblins when they first capture Bilbo and the dwarves, for instance, gives readers a stark insight into the goblin outlook on life in just the first few short lines: “Clap! Snap! the black crack! / Grip, grab! Pinch, nab!” The harsh, explosive consonants and the action-focused, verb-heavy monosyllables instantly immerse readers in the hard, violent world of the goblins, who take simple pleasure in acts of cruelty. The dwarves’ song in Bilbo’s kitchen, in which they cheerfully threaten to “Chip the glasses and crack the plates!” sounds similar, but reflects their comparative mildness and the domesticity of their (merely humorous) threats through the complexity of their phrasing and poetic lines. The Wood-elves also sing a monosyllabic song as they watch their barrels roll into the river, but their soft liquid consonants (“roll-roll-rolling down the hole!”) and their enjoyment of amusing sounds (“Heave ho! Splash plump!”) show that their simple pleasures are as innocent as the goblins’ are cruel. Tolkien’s poetry enriches and complements not only the plot of the story, but the development of his fictional world.

"Where iss it? Where iss it?" Bilbo heard him squeaking. "Lost, lost, my preciouss, lost, lost! Bless us and splash us! We haven't the present we promised, and we haven't even got it for ourselves."

"Where iss it? Where iss it?" Bilbo heard him crying. "Losst it is, my precious, lost lost! Curse us and crush us, my precious is lost!"

The first is some very intelligent fellow encouraging everyone to reread the Hobbit before the movie, because they will be surprised to discover that it is not as lacking in literary merit as the Tolkien apologists (who invariably worship the Silmarillion) would have us all believe:

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2012/09/ ... um=twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"What are the costs of military victory? Is mercy sometimes too expensive? Can torture ever be justified? Are there any moral absolutes in a world of competing faiths and cultures? A Hobbit Journey traces these and many other issues through their surprisingly detailed presentation in Tolkien's fiction. If anyone should still doubt Tolkien's applicability and relevance to the twenty-first century, this is the book to put in their hands."
--Thomas Shippey, author of J. R. R. Tolkien: Author of the Century

Since the film trilogy, most of the apologists have shifted to focus even more on the Silmarillion.

hehe, i could never get past like 25% into the Silmarillion, but on the other hand, The Hobbit was a very beautiful read to me. Guess which one holds more literary merit in my opinion

On the other hand, I tried to read the Silmarillion at 13, which is not a very good age to attempt that material.

I'm planning on doing a whole reread of Hobbit, LOTR and Silmarillion this fall.

As for the films, i don't think they were a butchery, I think it was a very intelligent approach that disconnected itself from the books enough so they could do what was right on film. The films and the book are two very different things, and I think the movies got it 95% right, so I don't fault them for the 5%

As for the films, i don't think they were a butchery, I think it was a very intelligent approach that disconnected itself from the books enough so they could do what was right on film. The films and the book are two very different things, and I think the movies got it 95% right, so I don't fault them for the 5%

Tyler is going to start The Hobbit tonight!!

As for the films, i don't think they were a butchery, I think it was a very intelligent approach that disconnected itself from the books enough so they could do what was right on film. The films and the book are two very different things, and I think the movies got it.... "I would not take this thing, if it lay by the highway. Not were Minas Tirith falling in ruin and I alone could save her, so, using the weapon of the Dark Lord for her good and my glory. No, I do not wish for such triumphs, Frodo son of Drogo." Enough said.

EEP! Forgive me while I fan girl out... I'm so excited to se an Lotr thread.
Ok I'm over it.
So I read this whole thread and have yet to see anyone post about Tom bombadil and the complete lack of mention or anything in the movies. Why?! .

I couldn't open that link on my iPad. I was all excited to appreciate some new movie music but alas. Not meant to be.

That's what you get for using an iPad. I hear that they're also notorious for accidental double posts.