126.  Why Did Tolkien Change The Hobbit (and what did he change)? : The Hobbit #15
Exploring Tolkien17 Joulu 2024

126. Why Did Tolkien Change The Hobbit (and what did he change)? : The Hobbit #15

Once Tolkien finished writing The Lord of the Rings, it became clear to him that The Hobbit needed to change–particularly Bilbo and Gollum’s interaction in chapter 5, “Riddles in the Dark”. But what exactly did he change? How necessary was it? Did it make The Hobbit Better?

If you haven’t read the original chapter, you can download a PDF here!

Be sure to check out our side-by-side comparison, to easily spot the differences between the original and rewritten chapter.

This week we look at:

  • Why Tolkien though the tone and style of The Hobbit was a mistake.
  • How Tolkien ret-conned The Lord of the Rings into The Hobbit – right in the prologue!
  • Tolkien’s original depiction of Gandalf explaining Bilbo’s lies to Frodo (found in Peoples of Middle-earth).
  • How Tolkien changed the Ring into a character.
  • How Tolkien changed Gollum into a villain.
  • How Tolkien even made the orcs more sinister.

In our extended episode (available for our members) we talk about:

  • How Tolkien should really ever be the only person to write more Middle-earth stories.
  • Screenwriter Phillipa Boyen’s comments on The War of the Rohirrim movie and how the untold story is the most “compelling” story.
  • How her story can’t “ruin Tolkien”.
  • A few thoughts on the upcoming Chronicles of Narnia Netflix series.

BECOME A MEMBER!
Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, and live chats. You can also join for on Patreon!

🔗 Episode Links
The History of The Hobbit
The Annotated Hobbit
Join our Discord Community (for free)
Get the Extended Podcast
Become a Patreon Member

🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast
Get the Extended Podcast
Become a Patreon Member
Subscribe on Apple
Subscribe on Spotify

🔍 If You Like Tolkien
The History of The Hobbit
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook)
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book)
The Silmarillion

The Children of Hurin
The Atlas of Middle-earth
Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(166)

139. The Problem with Thorin – The Hobbit #26

139. The Problem with Thorin – The Hobbit #26

As Thorin and company finally reach the Lonely Mountain, reality sets in—and it doesn’t smell so pleasant. We examine Tolkien’s skillful prose and worldbuilding as the company confront the desolation ...

10 Kesä 202546min

138. What Tolkien Really Thinks About Politicians – The Hobbit #25

138. What Tolkien Really Thinks About Politicians – The Hobbit #25

Tolkien makes it pretty clear what he thinks about politicians in this chapter… While Thorin and company regain their royal swagger, the Master of Laketown plots to save his own skin and run them out ...

27 Touko 202543min

137. Do the elves have ANYTHING valuable to trade? – The Hobbit #24

137. Do the elves have ANYTHING valuable to trade? – The Hobbit #24

Were back looking at the first half of Chapter 10, “A Warm Welcome.” In this episode, we discuss the arrival of Bilbo and the dwarves at Laketown (check out Tolkien’s drawing), how this chapter leans ...

13 Touko 20250s

136. The Lowest IQ Elves of Middle-earth? – The Hobbit #23

136. The Lowest IQ Elves of Middle-earth? – The Hobbit #23

In this very special episode, we reveal the exact barrel music sung in Thranduil’s halls as the dwarves were tossed into the river!  😉 Then, we get into the details of barrel physics, the river, and ...

29 Huhti 202544min

135. The Greedy and Petty Elves of Mirkwood – The Hobbit #22

135. The Greedy and Petty Elves of Mirkwood – The Hobbit #22

Bilbo fully embraces his role as hero and finds a way to save the dwarves — but not before we find out how the Elvenking distrusts the dwarves while comparing himself to the great wealthy kings of old...

15 Huhti 202546min

134. When Bilbo Became the Hero – The Hobbit #21

134. When Bilbo Became the Hero – The Hobbit #21

Bilbo is the only one left to save the dwarves–and to his own surprise, he’s up to the task! This week we also look at: Bilbo’s moment of transformation into the hero of the story. The size of these ...

1 Huhti 20251h

133. Ainulindalë – A Reading in JRR Tolkien’s Voice

133. Ainulindalë – A Reading in JRR Tolkien’s Voice

JRR Tolkien’s voice was, well, unique.  He was notably hard to understand (his students regularly complained that his classes were difficult because they simply couldn’t understand him), and even the ...

18 Maalis 20250s

132. Evil or Elves or Both… Terror in Mirkwood : The Hobbit #20

132. Evil or Elves or Both… Terror in Mirkwood : The Hobbit #20

In this first half of chapter 8 of the hobbit–Flies and Spiders–Jonathan and Michael discuss the evil enchantment of Mirkwood, and if the elves might have a small part in it. This week we also look at...

4 Maalis 202554min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

uutiscast
aikalisa
politiikan-puskaradio
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
viisupodi
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
tervo-halme
the-ulkopolitist
rss-asiastudio
rss-podme-livebox
rss-pinnalla
otetaan-yhdet
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-ulkopoditiikkaa
aihe
rikosmyytit
rss-girls-finish-f1rst
rss-polikulaari-pitka-kiekko-ja-muut-ts-podcastit
rss-vain-talouselamaa