In Chapter 3 of The Hobbit, Bilbo’s story takes its first steps into Tolkien’s greater mythology, but these aren’t your grandfather’s Eldar. We uncover the hidden secrets of the notorious “silly Elves” of Rivendell, introduce Elrond, and discuss the incredible luck of arriving at the Last Homely House at precisely the right time. Also, a listener question sends us searching for the reason why Gandalf didn’t seem to know where his new sword came from.
Recommended Reading:
Tolkien, J. R. R. The Hobbit (Mariner Books, paperback) pp. 43-51, “A Short Rest”
Tolkien, J.R.R. and Douglas A. Anderson, ed. The Annotated Hobbit (HarperCollins, hardcover)
Olsen, Corey. Exploring J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit (Mariner Books, paperback)
30:00 “Mind Bilbo doesn’t eat all the cakes … He is too fat to get through keyholes yet”. I’m guessing, this is a tribute to the legendary cricketer and footballer (both), William “Fatty” Foulke. He was a Sheffield man and died 1st May 1916, at a time when Tolkien was doing Army training at Otley, also in Yorkshire. “Who ate all the pies” was the common chant.