|
03-27-2009, 12:55 PM | #1 |
Enting
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 68
|
Why I prefer the hobbit
I've been a fan of the hobbit since I was 11 years old. My grandmother, the year she passed away, surprised me by ordering me a limited edition hard cover of the book. There is an illustration on nearly every page (Some original art, some from the movie), as well as 2 or 3 fold out pages to show large battle scenes.
Since then, ive read and reread the book 15 times. Every chance I got in highschool for a book report, I did it on the hobbit. Unlike most students, who didn't actually reread the book and just reported on what they already new, I actually (gladly) reread my book. How many times have I read LOTR? I managed to get halfway through the fellowship after my first read of the hobbit. After the movies came out, I managed to reread fellowship, and get halfway through the two towers. I finally finished the series with audio books. So why can I enjoy the hobbit for so many rereads, but not make it through lord of the rings? Ive considered this: 1. The narrative. The lord of the rings is just so dry to me. The witty narration of the hobbit makes it fun to read, and a little more interesting to me. I love character interaction, and LOTR doesn't keep my interest in between these scenes. 2. Bilbo. He's one of my favorite characters, and his absence from the lord of the rings story discouraged me from it. 3. The lack of explanation. The hobbit briefly touches and hints on a lot of things. The ruins bilbo see's while going to rivendell, beorns past, the necromancer, the unknown blades from some "goblin war". I liked that the hobbit mentions these things, but left it up to my own imagination to wonder what they were all about. In a sense, LOTR, while fascinating, kind of ruined that. Every think is given in full detail, and what isnt is thrown into an appendix in the back. I love learning this stuff, but at the same time, i miss the wonder that the hobbit created. Most people, actually all people, i've talked to about this seem to completely disagree with me. But that's my view on the whole thing. Last edited by Tinman : 03-27-2009 at 05:23 PM. |
03-28-2009, 11:37 AM | #2 | |
Cyber Elf Lord
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Left of Rock, Right of Hard Place
Posts: 986
|
Quote:
LOTR is more serious (in general) and dire. overall it comes to a matter of taste. I prefer the hobbit, both both are a good read.
__________________
Sincerely, Anthony 'Many are my names in many countries,' he said. 'Mithrandir among the Elves, Tharkûn to the Drarves; Olórin I was in my youth in the West that is forgotten, in the South Incánus, in the North Gandalf; to the East I go not.' Faramir What nobler employment, or more valuable to the state, than that of the man who instructs the rising generation? Cicero (106BC-43BC) |
|
03-30-2009, 04:20 AM | #3 |
Elf Lord
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: In me taters
Posts: 3,288
|
I think there is a writing style issue. Lots of people find LOTR completely unreadable. I think you either like / tune in to the overblown way he writes or you don't.
I agree that The Hobbit is the better book in lots of ways. |
04-05-2009, 05:03 PM | #4 |
Elven Warrior
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 401
|
I disagree...
I disagree. The Hobbit, as Tolkien wrote it, is for young children or used to introduce a person to Middle Earth. In fact, Tolkien, in a way, had a child "edit" it by sending him numerous copies and asking for comments. Also: the hobbit is written very simply; the plot is easy to understand. Tolkien wrote it as a stand-alone...he did not know that he would continue the story, and there is therefore none of the symbolism and sense of real time and history leading up to Bibo's story. Although the hobbit might be a good starter, it can never match the beauty and symbolism in the Lord of the Rings.
__________________
Elleth Valatari "We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbour, while materialistic 'progress' leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of the power of evil." — J.R.R. Tolkien |
04-05-2009, 05:22 PM | #5 | |
Entmoot Minister of Foreign Affairs
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Copenhagen
Posts: 2,145
|
Quote:
Beauty and symbolism is in the eye of the beholder. There's no right and wrong answer
__________________
"Well, thief! I smell you and I feel your air. I hear your breath. Come along! Help yourself again, there is plenty and to spare." |
|
04-05-2009, 08:16 PM | #6 |
Elven Warrior
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 401
|
Actually, you're wrong. As Lewis says, there is no middle ground. Nothing truth or goodness can be defined by the beholder. It is either beautiful and good or not, and it is NOT up for your opinion or mine. it is what it is.
__________________
Elleth Valatari "We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbour, while materialistic 'progress' leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of the power of evil." — J.R.R. Tolkien |
04-05-2009, 05:09 PM | #7 | |
Elven Warrior
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 401
|
Quote:
I could list much more...I hope you get the point.
__________________
Elleth Valatari "We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbour, while materialistic 'progress' leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of the power of evil." — J.R.R. Tolkien |
|
04-10-2009, 09:03 AM | #8 |
Elf Lord
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 987
|
This got heavy awful quickly.
I prefer different books in different moods. I also believe beauty is a perception, not an absolute, whatever the professional philosphers might say.
__________________
~The DPR "Good work. Sleep well. I'll most likely kill you in the morning." |
04-13-2009, 12:57 PM | #9 |
Hero of Hyrule
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Hyrule
Posts: 1,052
|
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are written a lot differently, as you all have already stated. The Hobbit is a light, happy read, whereas LOTR is more complicated and more in depth. I like LOTR more in a sense that the story is just so beautiful, the friendships and the hardships. Of course, you get those things too, in the Hobbit between Bilbo and the Dwarves, but there is something about LOTR that is more compelling. It touches you somewhere deep down, which makes it worth reading.
__________________
Ho! Ho! Ho! to the bottle I go To heal my heart and drown my woe. Rain may fall and wind may blow, And many miles be still to go, But under a tree I will lie, And let the clouds go sailing by. |
01-16-2011, 10:57 PM | #10 |
Elven Warrior
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Fangorn's Treeherd
Posts: 393
|
I like both. The Hobbit fits a lighter mood. LoTR is for when I want a more serious read.
__________________
Silver Valley Oak As for me and my house we will serve the LORD Just call me Oakie |
03-09-2011, 03:48 PM | #11 |
Peer of the realm of Sanguine
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: The Hill, Marlton, NJ
Posts: 798
|
Although JRRT did tell the story to his children, I firmly disbelieve it was written as a children's book. According to his own account, while rating students' essays he scribbled the words "in a hole in the ground lived a hobbit." In true Tolkien fashion, he set out to find out what a hobbit was, and he began to flesh out the story. At some point he put it down on paper and a partial manuscript was discovered by an employee of publisher Allen and Unwin n 1936. Stanley Unwin read it and asked Tolkien to finish. Unwin gave the finished manuscript to his son Rayner, who gave his unqualified approval. It was published as a children's book because at the time, it was thought that the fantasy genre held no appeal to adults. Unwin was stunned by the book's popularity and asked Tolkien to write a sequel which became our beloved Lord of the Rings.
Greedy Dwarves, drunken Elves and murderous dragons aren't quite children's faire. Why do I love the book? It's light and humorous. I love the whimsical narrator. I love the arguing trolls. I love the interwoven hints of the greater legendarium. I love Bilbo, who changed from a chubby homebody to become brave and courageous without losing his peaceloving nature. I do like it better than the Lord of the Rings. Peace and fertitlity to all!
__________________
“"I am the friend of bears and the guest of eagles. I am Ringwinner and Luckwearer; and I am Barrel-rider," Fear Complacency! ___________________ Something under the bed is drooling |
03-12-2011, 01:14 AM | #12 | |
Elf Lord
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ilha Formosa
Posts: 2,068
|
"Tra-la-la-lally
Down in the valley" No, "the Hobbit" is definitely a children's book, including the typical authorial interjections. From Tinman Quote:
I know what you mean...I had that reaction even more strongly with The Sil.
__________________
Glendower: I can call spirits from the vasty deep. Hotspur: Why, so can I, or so can any man; But will they come when you do call for them? "I like pigs. Dogs look up to us, cats look down on us, but pigs treat us as equals."- Winston Churchill |
|
03-15-2011, 05:00 AM | #13 |
Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Not where I want to be ...
Posts: 15,254
|
I reacted the other way - it was like "oh, cool! THAT'S what they were referring to!"
__________________
. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
The Hobbit and the deeper mythology | azalea | The Hobbit (book) | 22 | 10-22-2009 10:01 PM |
One Hungry Hobbit | Yodaman | Writer's Workshop | 2 | 10-14-2004 01:32 PM |
Hobbit joke | Sminty_Smeagol | Middle Earth | 24 | 03-13-2004 06:24 PM |
Declaration Of The Rights Of The Hobbit | The Lady of Ithilien | Lord of the Rings Books | 13 | 12-21-2002 02:45 PM |
Is Gollum a hobbit or a weird frog thing??? | Samwise_Gamgee | Lord of the Rings Books | 21 | 04-11-2002 01:10 AM |