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| Dreamflower's Mathoms II by Dreamflower | 8 Review(s) |
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| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 60 on 3/28/2009 |
| Bilbo was right, I think, to go back. The Dwarves would probably have taken his actions even worse otherwise. Even Thorin had to see reason in the end, after all. And I agree with Gandalf here. Bilbo was just perfect for the job, and what he lost in innocence, he gained in wisdom - not necessarily a bad deal. Not to mention the respect he gained from Gandalf, Bard, Thranduil and their people. Author Reply: Of course he was right. I think that knowing he could have stayed with the Elves, and yet chose to return to them, would have made them respect him far more, after all was over with. Poor Thorin was in the grip of "dragon sickness", as were most of the Dwarves to a certain extent. But Thorin was able to understand in the end. Yes, Bilbo ended his Adventure with a whole new level of respectabliity--not the sort that would be approved of in the Shire, but the sort that brought him renown in the Wide World. | |
| GamgeeFest | Reviewed Chapter: 60 on 3/21/2009 |
| I think trust is the hardest thing to lose, and the hardest to regain. I'm glad that Bilbo still has that intact also. Author Reply: Bilbo, I think, expected the best of people. And it paid off in the end, and so his trust was repaid as well. | |
| Celeritas | Reviewed Chapter: 60 on 3/19/2009 |
| I like the idea of innocence retained (namely, trust that people will do the right thing) being as valuable as innocence replaced by experience. Quite lovely, especially when one considers how much The Hobbit borrowed from that old and much beloved coming-of-age genre. Well done! Author Reply: I do think that expecting the best of people often pays out in the end. Not always, of course, but in Bilbo's case it was rewarded. And yes, in spite of Bilbo being well of age, at fifty, it was a sort of coming-of-age story. | |
| Virtuella | Reviewed Chapter: 60 on 3/14/2009 |
| Is innocence a bonus then? Maybe only to some, for experienced people are very much needed on the quest. But innocence to begin with is probably a good basis for keeping one's heart intact in teh face of adversity. Author Reply: I think of innocence as a blank slate. Sooner or later, experience is needed to temper that innocence into wisdom. But there are some who trade away their innocence too early or too young, for the wrong sorts of experiences, and end up cynical instead of wise. And there are those who cling to innocence, turning their backs on experience, and end up thinking that ignorance and innocence are the same. I think the hobbits of the Shire, protected as they were from the Wide World, would have kept their innocence intact a bit longer than most denizens of M-e, and their natural compassion (Pity) would have helped them to a more optimistic sort of wisdom when it came. But there is no doubt that many of the Shire hobbits refused both wisdom and experience until it was thrust upon them. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: 60 on 3/13/2009 |
| Bilbo had been such an innocent little creature when he left the Shire, inexperienced in the ways of the Wide World, never realizing how different things might be, or how his life had changed. He still had grief ahead of him, and Gandalf sorrowed that he could not spare his friend that much. But he was glad to see that Bilbo’s trust that people would do the right thing was still intact. That bit of innocence, he thought, would be rewarded if all went well. And if Bilbo was no longer quite so innocent as he had been on leaving the Shire, he had exchanged it for wisdom, that would serve him well. Like uncle, like nephew! :) Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Thank you! Yes, Bilbo's wisdom would be a good example to his future heir! | |
| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 60 on 3/12/2009 |
| O very well done, indeed! I love your use of Gandalf's POV. He reads very true to the book. Thanks! Author Reply: Oh, thank you, dear!! We don't get his POV very often, but I felt that this moment really called for it! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 60 on 3/12/2009 |
| Bilbo's wisdom, peaceable nature, and integrity are what set him truly apart, proving him a worthy guardian and teacher for the one who would become the Ringbearer. I am so very glad that Gandalf appreciated just what a wonderful one Bilbo proved. Love this one. Author Reply: I am sure that he did. It's quite clear that after the Adventure was over he did not simply drop Bilbo, but maintained their friendship over the years! (And I don't believe for a minute that was just because of the Ring!) | |
| PIppinfan1988 | Reviewed Chapter: 60 on 3/12/2009 |
| Very well done! Your definitions of "innocence" truly set the stage for your wonderful tale, and the blossoming relationship between Bilbo and Gandalf. Once again, you have this knack for making me feel as if I'm reading the Professor's own writing. :-) Enjoyed every word! Author Reply: Oh thank you dear! That's a high compliment! I think that Bilbo very quickly gained a hold on Gandalf's heart--due, possibly to his similarities to Gandalf's old friend Gerontius! | |