In the book, Aragorn mentions that he wishes he could live in Rivendell, but he believes destiny will not allow it. My teacher asks what part destiny plays in the lives of the characters in the book. Destiny, in my opinion, is a governing force that affects the major events in the history, present, and future of Middle Earth. For example, Gandalf mentions that a a power above Sauron and the ring meant for Frodo to have the ring. "I can put it no plainer than by saying that Bilbo was meant to find the ring, and not its maker. In which case you were also meant to have it." (Gandalf, Pg. 61). I believe this higher power to be destiny. Destiny was the force that brought the ring to Frodo. As for Aragorn's case, Aragorn is destined to return to Gondor and bring its people salvation. There he will become their king.
Renewed shall be the blade that was broken
The crownless again shall be king. (pg. 193)
These two lines are part of a short poem Gandalf wrote in a letter to Frodo, describing Aragorn. These two lines foretell Aragorn's return to Gondor and to be their king, which is why he will not live happily ever after in Rivendell.
Now, if literature is a mirror of real life, what does this mean for real life. This was my teacher's second question. It could possibly be that we are affected by this higher force that is destiny. Each individual's end goal or duty in life may be predestined for us, just as Frodo's mission was predestined for him. On the other hand, our lives are not completely governed by destiny. We can choose what paths to travel and how to go about our paths in order to reach our predestined conclusion. Frodo could have went to Mount Doom with only Sam or Gandalf, but he went with a fellowship of nine. The Fellowship could have continued up the mountains of the Caradrhas to the get to Mirkwood, but instead they chose to travel through the Mines of Moria in order to reach Mirkwood. Destiny may have chosen our ultimate goals and conclusions, but we can choose how we achieve our goals and reach our conclusions and where to go in order to do so.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
For my class, we are reading The Fellowship of the Ring (I know, best English class ever). For those who don't know, it's about a young hobbit named Frodo Baggins who comes into the possession of an evil ring of power. The ring was once owned by an evil tyrant named Sauron, who has returned to claim the ring and rule Middle Earth. Frodo chooses to leave his home and take the ring to Rivendell and there decides to take it to Mt. Doom to destroy it. Along the way his is assisted by many friends, include Gandalf the Grey, Sam Gamgee, Aragorn, and many more. Our focus on the book is relating the characters and the world of Middle Earth to our world and the people in it. We are also discussing the books themes and relating it to the Hero's Journey. I hope you enjoy these next posts.
I'm back
Hey everybody, sorry I haven't been been blogging for awhile. The server I use to log into in order to blog prevented me from blogging because it banned blogger. The ban, however, has been lifted, and without further ado, let the blogging commence.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Hobbit blog's: The importance of the ring
During Bilbo's great adventure, Bilbo came across a unique ring. This ring, when worn, was able to turn him invisible. It had gotten Bilbo out of much trouble. The ring, however, has not only done this for Bilbo, but has allowed his character to grow.
First, I should mention exactly how Bilbo came upon the ring. He fell down a dark hole after he was knocked unconscious when he and his company were trying to escape the goblin infested cavern in the Misty Mountains. He fell down into dark cavern, and when he awoke and traveled through the cavern for a short while, he found the ring by chance. Throughout his adventure, he has used it to hide from enemies and dodge their attacks. This ring has also allowed Bilbo to commit more courageous actions and grow stronger as a character. For example, he used the ring in order to lead the vicious, carnivorous spiders away from his friends so that he could save them. He even used it in order to confront Smaug himself. The ring is like a catalyst in a chemical reaction, it increased the speed of the reaction of Bilbo's courage growing from his adventure. You could even say that it is like a catalyst because it caused Bilbo's courage to grow.
I do not believe that the only reason that Bilbo is courageous is because of the ring. Bilbo could have used the ring to run away from his adventure, abandoned his friends to save himself. He did not, however, run away from the troubles of his adventure and confronted them using a hide-and-strike method (almost like guerrilla warfare). This proves that Bilbo had some inner courage that needed to be awakened, and the ring was just the tool to awaken it.
First, I should mention exactly how Bilbo came upon the ring. He fell down a dark hole after he was knocked unconscious when he and his company were trying to escape the goblin infested cavern in the Misty Mountains. He fell down into dark cavern, and when he awoke and traveled through the cavern for a short while, he found the ring by chance. Throughout his adventure, he has used it to hide from enemies and dodge their attacks. This ring has also allowed Bilbo to commit more courageous actions and grow stronger as a character. For example, he used the ring in order to lead the vicious, carnivorous spiders away from his friends so that he could save them. He even used it in order to confront Smaug himself. The ring is like a catalyst in a chemical reaction, it increased the speed of the reaction of Bilbo's courage growing from his adventure. You could even say that it is like a catalyst because it caused Bilbo's courage to grow.
I do not believe that the only reason that Bilbo is courageous is because of the ring. Bilbo could have used the ring to run away from his adventure, abandoned his friends to save himself. He did not, however, run away from the troubles of his adventure and confronted them using a hide-and-strike method (almost like guerrilla warfare). This proves that Bilbo had some inner courage that needed to be awakened, and the ring was just the tool to awaken it.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The Hobbit blog's: why breaking tradition can benefit one's character
Don't have anything to do with adventures, that is one of the main hobbit traditions. Nothing good comes from adventures. A respectful hobbit is one who enjoys the benefits of a peaceful day and the comforts of his/her hobbit hole. Bilbo Baggins is no exception. He would sooner stay at home and relax by the fire before going on an adventure, or at least that is what he used to think before he went on his own adventure.
Bilbo has grown so much as an individual from the adventure he went on. He has grown in both courage and wisdom. Originally, he was shy and weak. Even in the beginning of the adventure, he was very dependent on Gandalf, the wizard. Later on, however, the dwarves started to depend on Bilbo, and he had to learn how to be strong physically and mentally. One example of how Bilbo grew physically was when he saved his dwarf companions from the spiders. He had to cut the dwarves free from the spiders' webs and he had to fight off the spiders. One example of how Bilbo grew mentally was when he came up with an elaborate strategy for how to get the dwarves out of the wood elves dungeon cells. Basically, after he got them out of their cells, he decided to hide them in barrels that were to be thrown into the river back to where the came (because they were filled with wine given to them by the humans who lived nearby and the elves had to return the barrels). If Bilbo did not go on this adventure, he would not have been able to summon up such courage or be able to think up such clever tactics. By breaking the tradition of not going on adventures, Bilbo was able to become stronger and wiser. He does not seem to regret going on this adventure either, and believes he has also become quite an impressive burglar because of it.
Bilbo has grown so much as an individual from the adventure he went on. He has grown in both courage and wisdom. Originally, he was shy and weak. Even in the beginning of the adventure, he was very dependent on Gandalf, the wizard. Later on, however, the dwarves started to depend on Bilbo, and he had to learn how to be strong physically and mentally. One example of how Bilbo grew physically was when he saved his dwarf companions from the spiders. He had to cut the dwarves free from the spiders' webs and he had to fight off the spiders. One example of how Bilbo grew mentally was when he came up with an elaborate strategy for how to get the dwarves out of the wood elves dungeon cells. Basically, after he got them out of their cells, he decided to hide them in barrels that were to be thrown into the river back to where the came (because they were filled with wine given to them by the humans who lived nearby and the elves had to return the barrels). If Bilbo did not go on this adventure, he would not have been able to summon up such courage or be able to think up such clever tactics. By breaking the tradition of not going on adventures, Bilbo was able to become stronger and wiser. He does not seem to regret going on this adventure either, and believes he has also become quite an impressive burglar because of it.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
First Concept of Bilbo Baggins 12/22
No story is complete without a well-defined and interesting protagonist. Some might argue that the protagonist is one of the most important aspects of a story. This is no different for The Hobbit or there and back again. So far, J. R. R. Tolkien has constructed a protagonist that has fit well into the setting and the plot of his novel. This protagonist is a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins.
Bilbo is a humble and despises adventure. This fits in with the hobbit culture that is prominent within the setting of the novel, Middle Earth in the land encompassed in "Thror's Map". This is interesting, because most protagonists in fantasy novels are excited in adventures, or at least are not against them. Bilbo's character, however, starts to change in that he starts to become interested in adventure when the dwarves and Gandalf mention their great adventure to get the dwarves gold back from Smaug, the dragon. This instance of early differentiation in Bilbo's original personality is also interesting. Most protagonists don't make such a great change in their personalities until later in novels. It still goes along with the change and development element that a protagonist must usually have in a story. It also fits in with the sudden introduction of this adventure and the fast pace of the novel.
Bilbo's mood swings from is positive reactions towards the adventure to his desire to go back home is also interesting. Attitude changes such as these are not very prominent in most novels. Sure, protagonists have moments where they wish they were back home, but not usually as much as Bilbo. Another interesting aspect of Bilbo is his polite demeanor. I rarely ever encounter such a generous and hospitable leading character. All of these aspects of Bilbo's character make him such a great protagonist. Not only does he fit in with the novel and the elements of a protagonist, he is very likable which makes the novel much more enjoyable.
Bilbo is a humble and despises adventure. This fits in with the hobbit culture that is prominent within the setting of the novel, Middle Earth in the land encompassed in "Thror's Map". This is interesting, because most protagonists in fantasy novels are excited in adventures, or at least are not against them. Bilbo's character, however, starts to change in that he starts to become interested in adventure when the dwarves and Gandalf mention their great adventure to get the dwarves gold back from Smaug, the dragon. This instance of early differentiation in Bilbo's original personality is also interesting. Most protagonists don't make such a great change in their personalities until later in novels. It still goes along with the change and development element that a protagonist must usually have in a story. It also fits in with the sudden introduction of this adventure and the fast pace of the novel.
Bilbo's mood swings from is positive reactions towards the adventure to his desire to go back home is also interesting. Attitude changes such as these are not very prominent in most novels. Sure, protagonists have moments where they wish they were back home, but not usually as much as Bilbo. Another interesting aspect of Bilbo is his polite demeanor. I rarely ever encounter such a generous and hospitable leading character. All of these aspects of Bilbo's character make him such a great protagonist. Not only does he fit in with the novel and the elements of a protagonist, he is very likable which makes the novel much more enjoyable.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
An Abrupt adventure: The Hobbit 12/21
I love fantasies, and one of the greatest fantasies of all-time is the Lord of the Rings series. I am very excited about being able to read The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring very soon. In order to better understand the series, understand the style of its author, J. R. R. Tolkien, and out of an overall interest in it, I decided to pick up and read the prequel, The Hobbit or there and back again (yes that is the actual title). I am interested in seeing what adventure started it all and I am curious to see if there are any events in this book that cause or are connected to certain events in the plot of the following trilogy.
The Hobbit or there and back again is about a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Like most hobbits, Bilbo is apposed to adventures and prefers relaxing at home, preferably by a warm fire while drinking tea. This life of relaxation is turned upside-down when Gandolf, a well known wizard, comes to visit and asks Bilbo to accompany him on an adventure. Bilbo, out of his well-mannered nature, politely declines Gandolf's offer. The next day, thirteen dwarfs, lead by Thorin the dwarf, enter his house and speak of a great adventure of stealing their gold back from the evil dragon Smaug. They do so because there were runes (ancient letters) saying that Bilbo was a burglar looking for an adventure, a message that was put on Bilbo's door by Gandolf. Gandolf's reason for doing this was because Gandolf chose Bilbo to be the burglar (they could not find a hero, so they settled for a burglar/treasure hunter) on this adventure. At first, Bilbo isn't sure what to make of this situation and starts to respectfully decline, but stories of vast plains, tall mountains, and wonderful things to experience causes Bilbo to turn over a new leaf and agree to be the burglar.
The story has already made a great start. I look forward to reading about what kind of adventure they will have. I am curious to see what kinds of places they will see and what kinds of creatures they will encounter. With the wise Gandolf and the stalwart dwarves by his side, Bilbo is sure to have a successful and thrilling adventure.
The Hobbit or there and back again is about a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Like most hobbits, Bilbo is apposed to adventures and prefers relaxing at home, preferably by a warm fire while drinking tea. This life of relaxation is turned upside-down when Gandolf, a well known wizard, comes to visit and asks Bilbo to accompany him on an adventure. Bilbo, out of his well-mannered nature, politely declines Gandolf's offer. The next day, thirteen dwarfs, lead by Thorin the dwarf, enter his house and speak of a great adventure of stealing their gold back from the evil dragon Smaug. They do so because there were runes (ancient letters) saying that Bilbo was a burglar looking for an adventure, a message that was put on Bilbo's door by Gandolf. Gandolf's reason for doing this was because Gandolf chose Bilbo to be the burglar (they could not find a hero, so they settled for a burglar/treasure hunter) on this adventure. At first, Bilbo isn't sure what to make of this situation and starts to respectfully decline, but stories of vast plains, tall mountains, and wonderful things to experience causes Bilbo to turn over a new leaf and agree to be the burglar.
The story has already made a great start. I look forward to reading about what kind of adventure they will have. I am curious to see what kinds of places they will see and what kinds of creatures they will encounter. With the wise Gandolf and the stalwart dwarves by his side, Bilbo is sure to have a successful and thrilling adventure.
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