Similarities between the Hobbit and LOTR - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

peregrine · 11-07-2001, 08:28 PM

I read somewhere that there are similarities of narrative structure between the Hobbit and LOTR. Journeys in small select groups, Rivendell, a journey underground, a mountain at the end. There are probably more (I can't remember). Is this intentional on behalf of the author, or an oversight?

Eowyn of Ithilien · 11-08-2001, 03:45 AM

Well...I don't believe that anyone as brilliant as he was would have committed that sort of oversight.

peregrine · 11-08-2001, 05:58 PM

i agree it's not an oversight. tolkien seemed to plan the narrative structure of his stories well. i just thought it interesting that the two stories have such a similar story structure. If it was deliberate on Tolkien's behalf, or if it was acceptable to him, I wonder what purpose it served?

Kin-strife · 11-09-2001, 06:03 AM

Of course when Tolkien began writing lotr he didn't know where he was going with it. He just planned the story as far as Rivendell. No doubt some of the similarities were deliberate, such as the "there and back again" structure, but otheres like the mountain at the end and the journey underground I'd say just hapened as such with no higher purpose.

peregrine · 11-15-2001, 08:12 PM

Yeh I guess there are more differences than similarities, but the similarities seemed worth mentioning. It's perhaps pointless but interesting nonetheless to wonder what other directions Tolkien could have went in after he resumed writing LOTR. I thought I read somewhere he stopped at the gates of Moria for a year, and had no idea where the story was going, not even who Strider was. When did he decide? When he resumed writing, how much of the complete story as we know it was in his head? How much did he make up as he went along after that?

11-07-2001, 08:28 PM	#1
peregrine Pile O'Bones Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Australia Posts: 25	Similarities between the Hobbit and LOTR I read somewhere that there are similarities of narrative structure between the Hobbit and LOTR. Journeys in small select groups, Rivendell, a journey underground, a mountain at the end. There are probably more (I can't remember). Is this intentional on behalf of the author, or an oversight?

11-08-2001, 03:45 AM	#2
Eowyn of Ithilien Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Australia Posts: 277	Well...I don't believe that anyone as brilliant as he was would have committed that sort of oversight. __________________ But of bliss and glad life there is little to be said, before it ends; as works fair and wonderful, while still they endure for eyes to see, are their own record, and only when they are in peril or broken for ever do they pass into song.

11-09-2001, 06:03 AM	#4
Kin-strife Haunting Spirit Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 58	Of course when Tolkien began writing lotr he didn't know where he was going with it. He just planned the story as far as Rivendell. No doubt some of the similarities were deliberate, such as the "there and back again" structure, but otheres like the mountain at the end and the journey underground I'd say just hapened as such with no higher purpose. __________________ "Come away, O human child!/ To the waters and the wild/With a faery hand in hand,/ For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand."

11-08-2001, 05:58 PM	#3
peregrine Pile O'Bones Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Australia Posts: 25	i agree it's not an oversight. tolkien seemed to plan the narrative structure of his stories well. i just thought it interesting that the two stories have such a similar story structure. If it was deliberate on Tolkien's behalf, or if it was acceptable to him, I wonder what purpose it served?

11-15-2001, 08:12 PM	#5
peregrine Pile O'Bones Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Australia Posts: 25	Yeh I guess there are more differences than similarities, but the similarities seemed worth mentioning. It's perhaps pointless but interesting nonetheless to wonder what other directions Tolkien could have went in after he resumed writing LOTR. I thought I read somewhere he stopped at the gates of Moria for a year, and had no idea where the story was going, not even who Strider was. When did he decide? When he resumed writing, how much of the complete story as we know it was in his head? How much did he make up as he went along after that?