Towards the end of the novel, the dragon, Smaug guarding the treasure is slain with much effort and sacrifice by the humans and elves. They band together to form a giant army and march towards the Lonely Mountain, where the dwarfs are going to recover the treasure that Smaug had left unguarded. The humans and elves attempt to reason with the dwarfs, who have barricaded themselves in the mountain in an attempt to keep all the treasure for themselves.
This shows the class differentiation between races of beings in Middle Earth, which is a major theme in the novel. The dwarfs see themselves as superior beings and do not want to share their wealth with any other race. This is similar to the class differentiation that can be seen in The Motorcycle Diaries between the native indigenous population and the European immigrants. Also, it is similar to the superiority that the Argentinians feel they have over the other South American countries. This shares similarities as well, although not as severe, as racial segregation that occurred in the United States during the Civil Rights period, which continues in present-day society.
Article on continual racial segregation in the U.S. http://www.flcourier.com/flnation/4671-thousands-march-against-return-of-racial-segregation-in-north-carolina
Thursday, March 10, 2011
IRP Blogpost 8
Throughout all the discord between friends--dwarfs, and men and elves--the main character Bilbo, a hobbit, is able to remain pleasant. He sees all the bad that is going on, and he is just looking for peace. This is another one of Toklien's ways of making the story different from other epic journeys, which are usually violent. In those as well, the main character usually possesses some heroic traits, such as great strength. Bilbo, however, is a little hobbit and is not very strong at all, although he is very sneaky and cunning. These traits are usually not those typical of a hero, but in this instance they are.
This conflict arises from the treasure, which in fantastic epics is the thing that the hero is seeking, but in this novel conflict comes about because of it. Again, Tolkien shows the reading that his story is different from other epics. The gold and treasure is being sought by everyone, but when they finally get it, happiness is not achieved, but instead more problems are started.
These problems are similar to those that arose after World War I because they both resulted from good, but in actuality they made things much worse. Germany was made to pay everything for the war, which made conditions in that country terrible.
Article about the effects of the Versailles Treaty: http://walt.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/02/reporters_scholars_and_patriots
This conflict arises from the treasure, which in fantastic epics is the thing that the hero is seeking, but in this novel conflict comes about because of it. Again, Tolkien shows the reading that his story is different from other epics. The gold and treasure is being sought by everyone, but when they finally get it, happiness is not achieved, but instead more problems are started.
These problems are similar to those that arose after World War I because they both resulted from good, but in actuality they made things much worse. Germany was made to pay everything for the war, which made conditions in that country terrible.
Article about the effects of the Versailles Treaty: http://walt.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/02/reporters_scholars_and_patriots
IRP Blogpost 7
At this time in the novel, the antagonist Smaug has been slain. Even though the dragon is gone, the victors cannot come to agreement about how to split the treasure amongst everyone. The dwarfs do not want to share because, after all, it was their treasure in the first place and they feel that it belongs to only them. The humans and the elves just want to be repaid for sacrificing their homes and lives to defeat Smaug.
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world" (Tolkien 230).
This quote sums up the conflict that supplants the real evil at the end of the novel. It shows that if they all did not care as much about gold, then they could continue on happily through their lives. However, they cannot and more conflict ensues, even though it could be avoided easily if they were not so selfish. This is a lesson that the book can teach anyone; selfishness causes conflict, which can be avoided by a little compromise.
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world" (Tolkien 230).
This quote sums up the conflict that supplants the real evil at the end of the novel. It shows that if they all did not care as much about gold, then they could continue on happily through their lives. However, they cannot and more conflict ensues, even though it could be avoided easily if they were not so selfish. This is a lesson that the book can teach anyone; selfishness causes conflict, which can be avoided by a little compromise.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
IRP Blogpost 6
Themes and Ideas:
“Somehow the killing of this giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark. . . made a great difference to Mr. Baggins." (Tolkien 156)
This quote underlies one of the major themes of the book: the triumphant underdog. From the start, we know that Bilbo is a hobbit. This means his small stature does not make him fit well into the role of hero, yet he is the hero of the novel. Continuing on this line, Bilbo's companions are all dwarfs, a similarly short race of beings. This quote tells us that Bilbo has killed a larger, fiercer, scarier beast: a giant spider. Bilbo faced a being that certainly should have killed him, but with all his cunning, he was able to defeat the creature. This is a possible moment of foreshadowing because a common trait among young heroes is to be able to conquer more powerful adversaries.
Image of biblical underdog winning
David & Goliath
“Somehow the killing of this giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark. . . made a great difference to Mr. Baggins." (Tolkien 156)
This quote underlies one of the major themes of the book: the triumphant underdog. From the start, we know that Bilbo is a hobbit. This means his small stature does not make him fit well into the role of hero, yet he is the hero of the novel. Continuing on this line, Bilbo's companions are all dwarfs, a similarly short race of beings. This quote tells us that Bilbo has killed a larger, fiercer, scarier beast: a giant spider. Bilbo faced a being that certainly should have killed him, but with all his cunning, he was able to defeat the creature. This is a possible moment of foreshadowing because a common trait among young heroes is to be able to conquer more powerful adversaries.
Image of biblical underdog winning
David & Goliath
IRP Blogpost 5
Symbols:
Sting-the name Bilbo gives his sword is a symbol for the type of damage he is able to do to his opponents; Bilbo is not a very powerful being and thus he does not wield a particularly powerful weapon.
The Ring-Bilbo finds the ring when he encounters Gollum. The ring is a symbol for evil, which can be seen in how it affects Gollum. The ring also infatuates Bilbo, which shows evil's true power.
Spider-the gigantic spider that Bilbo slays in this section represents the huge odds that the band of dwarfs is facing in their journey, and Bilbo will help them succeed.
Video about giant spiders: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/animals/bugs-animals/spiders-and-scorpions/tarantula_goliath.html
Connections and Questions:
Riddles-there are many instances where riddles are used in mythology, such as the Sphynx's riddle in Greek mythology.
Gandalf helps the group so much, would they be able to complete their quest without him? Do all fantasies have some kind of perfect, constant helping force like Gandalf?
Why is Bilbo so willing to help people he never met before the journey? What keeps him ticking?
Sting-the name Bilbo gives his sword is a symbol for the type of damage he is able to do to his opponents; Bilbo is not a very powerful being and thus he does not wield a particularly powerful weapon.
The Ring-Bilbo finds the ring when he encounters Gollum. The ring is a symbol for evil, which can be seen in how it affects Gollum. The ring also infatuates Bilbo, which shows evil's true power.
Spider-the gigantic spider that Bilbo slays in this section represents the huge odds that the band of dwarfs is facing in their journey, and Bilbo will help them succeed.
Video about giant spiders: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/animals/bugs-animals/spiders-and-scorpions/tarantula_goliath.html
Connections and Questions:
Riddles-there are many instances where riddles are used in mythology, such as the Sphynx's riddle in Greek mythology.
Gandalf helps the group so much, would they be able to complete their quest without him? Do all fantasies have some kind of perfect, constant helping force like Gandalf?
Why is Bilbo so willing to help people he never met before the journey? What keeps him ticking?
IRP Blogpost 4
New characters:
Elrond-elf king who helps the dwarfs and Bilbo on their quest.
Gollum-creature who is consumed by the ring
Beorn-half man and half bear creature who lives in Mirkwood
Eagles-help the group through the Misty Mountains
Places:
Mountain interior-place where goblins take the dwarfs and Bilbo
Misty Mountains-large mountain chain that must be crossed to reach destination
Mirkwood-another obstacle lying in the way of their destination
Events:
Bilbo and the dwarfs are taken into a mountain by a horde of goblins. Gandalf helps them escape, but Bilbo is accidentally left behind. He meets Gollum and finds the ring. Using the ring, which makes the wearer invisible, Bilbo escapes. With Gandalf's help once again, the group winds up meeting up again after all crossing the Misty Mountains unscathed, a difficult feat. As they travel through Mirkwood, Beorn helps them evade the goblins by telling them of an alternate route through the forest. The group ignores the advice of Gandalf and strays off the path, which gets them captured by spiders. Bilbo, wearing the Ring, lures the spiders away and frees the dwarfs. Thorin is captured by elves.
Elrond-elf king who helps the dwarfs and Bilbo on their quest.
Gollum-creature who is consumed by the ring
Beorn-half man and half bear creature who lives in Mirkwood
Eagles-help the group through the Misty Mountains
Places:
Mountain interior-place where goblins take the dwarfs and Bilbo
Misty Mountains-large mountain chain that must be crossed to reach destination
Mirkwood-another obstacle lying in the way of their destination
Events:
Bilbo and the dwarfs are taken into a mountain by a horde of goblins. Gandalf helps them escape, but Bilbo is accidentally left behind. He meets Gollum and finds the ring. Using the ring, which makes the wearer invisible, Bilbo escapes. With Gandalf's help once again, the group winds up meeting up again after all crossing the Misty Mountains unscathed, a difficult feat. As they travel through Mirkwood, Beorn helps them evade the goblins by telling them of an alternate route through the forest. The group ignores the advice of Gandalf and strays off the path, which gets them captured by spiders. Bilbo, wearing the Ring, lures the spiders away and frees the dwarfs. Thorin is captured by elves.
RAFT 1 2/25/11
Dear Che,
I am writing to tell you to tell you about the important lessons you learned and the ones you could have learned from the time Ernesto spent in Chile. While there, you saw the angry face of adversity and oppression shown by the communist couple simply looking for work. The simple struggle to survive certainly had its effect on you, and for the first time you saw the suffering proletariat. But what you should have learned as well was to not take things for granted. Along the long, winding road through Chile, you acted like some kind of celebrity by staying in strangers’ houses and taking their food without payment. Your cover of being an expert in leprosy allowed you to do this, but really you were just taking from the people and not giving anything back. This goes against the communistic views you showed later in life; you were not pulling your weight. You did not pay any heed to the kindness with which you were being showed, and when a man wanted some payment for using his shelter, you denied him and when on your way. Certainly, taking and giving nothing back to society is not the message you wish to pass on. Although you did learn some valuable lessons, more important ones were there to be learned.
Sincerely,
Ryan
I am writing to tell you to tell you about the important lessons you learned and the ones you could have learned from the time Ernesto spent in Chile. While there, you saw the angry face of adversity and oppression shown by the communist couple simply looking for work. The simple struggle to survive certainly had its effect on you, and for the first time you saw the suffering proletariat. But what you should have learned as well was to not take things for granted. Along the long, winding road through Chile, you acted like some kind of celebrity by staying in strangers’ houses and taking their food without payment. Your cover of being an expert in leprosy allowed you to do this, but really you were just taking from the people and not giving anything back. This goes against the communistic views you showed later in life; you were not pulling your weight. You did not pay any heed to the kindness with which you were being showed, and when a man wanted some payment for using his shelter, you denied him and when on your way. Certainly, taking and giving nothing back to society is not the message you wish to pass on. Although you did learn some valuable lessons, more important ones were there to be learned.
Sincerely,
Ryan
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