Hobbit2 - Chapter 19 - The Last Stage

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Just in time before the world premiere of the Hobbit movie begins to spread spoilers, we finish our re-reading of the book. Thanks to those of you who have contributed!

The final chapter begins with a date - Bilbo's arrival at Rivendell took place on the 1st of May. We know that Tolkien deliberately chose dates for events in his stories - what do you think this date signifies?

Two long Elvish poems are cited. The first is a variation on the Tra-la-lally song earlier in the book, though more serious than that one was. The second, "Sing all ye joyful", reminds me of the Eagle's song "Sing now, ye people" near the end of RotK. The lyrics and the way it was apparently sung make it singularly inappropriate for the purpose it was supposed to have as a lullaby!

I find it interesting that Bilbo stayed at Rivendell for only a week after his long stay at Beorn's house. I would have chosen Rivendell, but perhaps that was due to the winter season and the surrounding mountains. What do you think?

Bilbo's own poem "Roads go ever ever on" is of course the predecessor to the Old Walking Song in LotR. I find the latter version improved over this one. What is your opinion? Interestingly, it is the poem that marks the change in Bilbo, with Gandalf commenting on it.

The Hobbit's arrival at home brings him back to the prosaic world - he has now left all traces of the heroic world behind him. We have bourgeois legalism as the strongest sign of that! Why would the peaceful hobbits need lawyers?!

A ruined reputation can make people unhappy, but in Bilbo's case, he is very happy to be independent of other's opinions of him. There is a good deal of freedom in that situation! And he stays in touch with the heroic world - Gandalf, the dwarves, the elves.

The end shows the difference between this adventure and that of Frodo - Bilbo is only a little fellow in the world, whereas Frodo had to rescue Middle-earth itself.


Here is the previous discussion.

[Kath]

While Rivendell would more naturally seem the place to stay for a long time at this point Bilbo must feel like he can almost see home. Rivendell is the last Homely House before the wildnerness - so going back in the opposite direction it's the beginning of 'civilization' again. Just a couple of weeks and he's home.

Either that or Bilbo had really had enough of Elves by this point!

[jallanite]

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

The final chapter begins with a date - Bilbo's arrival at Rivendell took place on the 1st of May. We know that Tolkien deliberately chose dates for events in his stories - what do you think this date signifies?

May Day, and nothing other than that in particular. Tolkien may have just wanted an important spring time date.

The return to Rivendell seems to me to be well handled. The first song celebrates the death of Smaug and welcomes Gandalf and Bilbo to Rivendell, with the snide suggestion that the stars and moon over Rivendell are of more value than any treasure that can be obtained in journeying. The song is less silly than previously, possibly because the Elves do not have a flock of Dwarves to make fun of.

Then we learn for the first time where Gandalf had gone away to when he left the Dwarves. It is odd that Gandalf has said nothing about this previously in their jouneying and their time with Beorn. Perhaps this is supposed to be secret as Bilbo only hears it when he chances to overhear Gandalf talking with Elrond.

It appears that Elrond was not with Gandalf in the attack on Dol Guldur and that to make the attack Gandalf joined a great council of white wizards. In The Lord of the Rings Gandalf joins the White Council which includes only two other wizards and some Elves, including Elrond himself. Perhaps we are meant to understand that Bilbo somewhat garbled what he accidentally picked up.

But neither in The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings is any reason given why this information should be secret.

The second song is a delightful surprise. Dawn is coming on a perhaps the Elves hope the Bilbo has rested sufficiently to join them and so awaken him with a mock lullaby. But Bilbo only banters cheerfully with them, wishes them goodnight again, and returns to bed.

I would have chosen Rivendell, but perhaps that was due to the winter season and the surrounding mountains. What do you think?

I agree. It was winter and without urgent need it was better to wait for warm weather to journey onward.

Interestingly, it is the poem that marks the change in Bilbo, with Gandalf commenting on it.

And Tolkien says no more beyond that comment. Tolkien is sometimes most magnificent when he doesn’t write everything he could.

We have bourgeois legalism as the strongest sign of that! Why would the peaceful hobbits need lawyers?!

Selling of property was always likely to need lawyers to make out papers that would validate what exactly was sold and that the seller had full right to sell it. Not all hobbits were so peaceful. Consider the Sackville-Bagginses. And consider that hobbits who had obtained bargains at the auction were ready to feign disbelief that the hobbit who returned was really Bilbo. Lawyers would also be useful in drawing up wills that covered everything in a way that would prevent disputes.

The lawyers Grubb, Grubb, and Burrowes were also auctioneers and quite likely worked at that outside of Bilbo’s estate.

Readers of The Lord of the Rings may find it odd that Gandalf and Bilbo travel all the way from the Brandywine without anyone apparently recognizing Bilbo and telling him of the auction and recording their happiness and surprise that Bilbo was alive. Perhaps we might imagine that Bilbo was now dressed somewhat differently than had been normal for him, and was more interested in just getting home than stopping for a chat even if he recognized someone.

Gandalf is last mentioned at this time when Bilbo and Gandalf cross the Bridge into Hobbiton-across-the Water. We are presumably to suppose that he aided Bilbo in his current trouble although nothing is said.

A ruined reputation can make people unhappy, but in Bilbo's case, he is very happy to be independent of other's opinions of him.

The chatty narrator writes: “I am sorry to say he [Bilbo] did not mind.” But in his description of Bilbo’s subsequent life the narrator reveals that he is not sorry at all.

The short epilogue passage ties everything up, providing a picture of Bilbo, Balin, Gandalf, Laketown, and the Lonely Mountain some years later in which everyone is happy and prosperous. Gandalf suggests that the prophecies have come true and Bilbo’s various adventures were only Provdence bringing the prophecies about.