Several people have told me I should have just skipped the Prologue. If that's the case, then why don't publishers just put a big warning on a separate page at the beginning of the book? Maybe something like, "JUST SKIP THE PROLOGUE" or "DON'T BOTHER WITH THE PROLOGUE, REALLY", or better yet, make the Prologue part of the Appendix instead? I have to wonder how many curious readers are turned off Tolkien forever because of that Prologue, not being fortunate enough to have friends to warn them not to read the beginning of the book.
Anyway, hey...Chapter 1 was actually pretty good. There was even mention of The Ring (I assume this is one of The Rings referred to in the title). Intriguing how the ring seemed to be corrupting Bilbo, and perhaps keeping him young. Deliciously creepy when Bilbo started calling the ring "Precious", just like Gollum did.
Frodo seems pretty two-dimensional so far, but then again the chapter mainly focussed on Bilbo and Gandalf. Gandalf seems kind of interesting. I want to know more about the Sackville-Bagginses, and why they are so disliked by Bilbo and Frodo. Or was that tidbit in the Prologue, buried amidst all those dates and begats?
Replies: 6 comments
Actually, the thing with the Sackville-Bagginses is from the Hobbit. They were basically dividing up Bilbo's stuff when he got back, having assumed he was dead. They really didn't want to return the stuff (or give up on living in Bilbo's lovely hole).
Posted by Daniel Malament @ 2001 May 07 07:12 PM EST
Hm, maybe I should have re-read The Hobbit first...thanks for the explanation, David.
Posted by Debbie @ 2001 May 07 11:00 PM EST
Also, Lobelia never returned Bilbo's silver spoons, and Otho and Lobelia were extremely disappointed when Bilbo turned up alive-they had wanted Bag End, and all the priviledges and respect that being the "Baggines of Bag End" would bring.
Posted by Juleen @ 2001 May 16 02:52 PM EST
Just for the record, I found the prologue useful, having not read the Hobbit before the trilogy.
Posted by Colin @ 2001 Jun 01 11:04 AM EST
Chapter One is great. This is a bit of a cliche, but LOTR makes me laugh and cry. In this chapter, we do get hints of the serious (scene with Bilbo and Gandalf arguing about the Ring) but I see it mostly as a laugh-out-loud experience. The hobbits at the party are hysterical (kind of like frat boys) - going for free food, sneaking free stuff out of Bag End, liking Bilbo after he gives them presents, being hauled off in wagons the next morning because they are too drunk to move, and so forth. I'm wondering if they'll include Lobelia in the movies - does anyone know?
Posted by Kierstin @ 2001 Jun 01 12:55 PM EST
This chapter also has one of Tolkien's "language" jokes in it. When Bilbo goes through his list of the hobbit families, someone shouts 'Proudfeet' at his mention of Proudfoots. This joke has its roots in Old English, one of the languages Tolkien was an expert in. I suppose he was just having an amusing jibe at an anomaly which still exists in English...why do we still say feet when it makes far more sense to say foots? I'll go back to my university notes and explain why on another day...
Posted by Ruaraidh Wishart @ 2001 Jun 14 08:20 PM EST
