Very interesting look at The Hobbit. Must reading for any JRR Tolkien geeks.
The idea that Gandalf was interested in the quest of the dwarfs mainly to rid Middle Earth of Smaug before the coming war with Sauron is interesting. Wonder if Tolkien even thought of that aspect?
I'm afraid that was pretty unconvincing. I have a copy of "The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien" and while it's been a while since I read it, I'd think that this would have been in there. I'm almost entirely convinced that it's not.
ReplyDeleteNice theory, but I don't see any backing for it.
I agree. Interesting theory but I always thought Tolkien wrote the structure of The Hobbit as a way to introduce a new race or character per chapter. First a hobbit, then a wizard, then dwarfs, then trolls, etc.
ReplyDeleteStill an interesting theory - but I doubt if Tolkien ever made the connection