These are the archives from 2010-2018 for the discussion forum hosted by the UNM Hobbit Society at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM, USA. The purpose of our group is to meet and associate with others interested in Tolkien, and to learn more about the author, his written works, and his sources through discussion, guest lectures and academically oriented activities. This blog is intended to expand discussion among UNM Hobbit Society members beyond what meeting times allow.
In The Hobbit, Bilbo enjoys an incredible streak of luck. Is it possible that Bilbo's "luck" (which kept him on the right path) was something much more? If so, what was it that kept him on the right path?
I thought Grant brought up a really interesting point in class the other day...There was no quest to find the Ring. Bilbo randomly stumbles upon it(call it good or bad luck...). As much power as the Ring has in "wanting to be found" or trying to make its way back to its master, there is something in Tolkien's books that has even more power than this magic ring. Megan mentioned Manwe as the divine being in class, and how he was perhaps a driving force behind the eagles always saving the day in the nick of time. Maybe Manwe is also responsible for Bilbo's "luck" and tying Frodo's and Bilbo's destinies to the Ring.
I would like to point out that the journey in The Hobbit, and in the LOTR, is very eventful with many obstacles that are put their by the author to make it an exciting story. Tolkien could have had a purpose for making Bilbo "lucky", or he could have just made things always turn out right because he had to keep the story going. As an author you can't bore your audience with no action, but you also can't bore them with horrible actions that never get resolved. I would also say that Frodo is a pretty lucky person too. Or Tolkien just needed to make him like that to keep the story moving along.
2 comments:
I thought Grant brought up a really interesting point in class the other day...There was no quest to find the Ring. Bilbo randomly stumbles upon it(call it good or bad luck...). As much power as the Ring has in "wanting to be found" or trying to make its way back to its master, there is something in Tolkien's books that has even more power than this magic ring. Megan mentioned Manwe as the divine being in class, and how he was perhaps a driving force behind the eagles always saving the day in the nick of time. Maybe Manwe is also responsible for Bilbo's "luck" and tying Frodo's and Bilbo's destinies to the Ring.
I would like to point out that the journey in The Hobbit, and in the LOTR, is very eventful with many obstacles that are put their by the author to make it an exciting story. Tolkien could have had a purpose for making Bilbo "lucky", or he could have just made things always turn out right because he had to keep the story going. As an author you can't bore your audience with no action, but you also can't bore them with horrible actions that never get resolved. I would also say that Frodo is a pretty lucky person too. Or Tolkien just needed to make him like that to keep the story moving along.
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