The Hobbit; chapters, 7-9
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 6:15 pm
THE HOBBIT
J.R.R. Tolkien
Chapters 7-9
J.R.R. Tolkien
Chapters 7-9
I think of Beorn and Tom Bombadil in LOTR as being similar characters. They are each unique -- there are no others like them that we're made aware of. I think by introducing them Tolkien enhances the mystery of the reality he's creating for us. Their very uniqueness makes us wonder where they came from, how they got the powers they have (e.g., the One Ring doesn't work on Bombadil, remember? He puts it on and doesn't become invisible), why there aren't more like them since every other species we encounter seems to come in multiples.Cattleman wrote:Beorn is something of an enigma. A shape-shifter (Tolkien calls him a 'skin-changer'), but not the familar werewolf. Rather, he is a werebear; though I think these are mentions in Norse mythology. Tolkiens use of the Nordic mythos has already been well documented here, so no further discussion is needed. But it is curious that Beorn, who is a substantial character in The Hobbit, does not appear in LOTR. Perhaps Tolkien simply could not find a way to fit him into the story.
Hello and welcome flaco. Thorin will not tell the wood elves the reason for the dwarves travels because of the treasure. Thorin is afraid that the elves will demand a share in this treasure. As far as the ancient feud, this passage from chapter eight may shed some light:flaco0 wrote:Why does the old feud between the dwarves and elves keep Thorin from revealing the reason they are going through the Mirkwood forest? How did the feud happen? Does either side seem justified in the feud?
In chapter nine, the elves sing a song while throwing the barrels into the water. The dwarves are hiding in these barrels unbeknownst to the elves. The song they sing is about the trip the barrels will be taking in the stream but it is also a song about the trip the dwarves will be taking as well hiding in the barrels.In ancient days they [the elves] had had wars with some of the dwarves, whom they accused of stealing their treasure. It is only fair to say that the dwarves gave a different account, and said that they only took what was their due, for the elf-king had bargained with them to shape his raw gold and silver, and had afterwards refused to them their pay.
This song continues:Down the swift dark stream you go
Back to lands you once did know!
Leave the halls and caverns deep,
Leave the northern mountains
steep,
I find these song to be really funny. The elves are not aware they are singing goodbye to the their captured dwarves.Past the rushes, past the reeds,
Past the marsh's waving weeds,
Through the mist that riseth white
Up from mere and pool at night!
Follow, follow stars that leap
Up the heavens cold and steep;
Turn when dawn comes over land,
Over rapid, over sand,
South away! South away!
It seems that greed started this war, but from the above quote, the feud, at least for Thorin will continue since he seems to feel that the elves are lazy and do not work for their wealth. However, Tolkien does not give a definitive account as to the reason for this war between elves and dwarves. If the elves and the dwarves are all thieves, is there any real justification on either side?If the elf king had a weakness it was for treasure, especially for silver and white gems; and though his hoard was rich, he was ever eager for more since he had not yet as great a treasure as other elf lords of old. His people neither mined nor worked metals or jewels, nor did they bother much with trade or with tilling the earth. All this was well known to every dwarf, though Thorin"s family had had nothing to do with the old quarrel I have spoken of.