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.

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🔗 Episode Links
The History of The Hobbit
The Annotated Hobbit
Join our Discord Community (for free)
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🔍 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

Jaksot(163)

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 ...

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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...

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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 ...

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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...

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131. The Weirdest Chapter in Middle-earth (with dancing bears!?) : The Hobbit #19

131. The Weirdest Chapter in Middle-earth (with dancing bears!?) : The Hobbit #19

With talking animals, animals serving food and dancing bears, this may just be the oddest chapter in all of Middle-earth! It kinda feels like it just doesn’t fit. We explore why the animals walk and t...

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130. Where did Beorn Originate (and what was Tolkien’s inspiration)? : The Hobbit #18

130. Where did Beorn Originate (and what was Tolkien’s inspiration)? : The Hobbit #18

Bilbo, Gandalf, and the dwarves are dropped off on the Carrock, and find themselves in the company of a man (so-to-speak) who rather doesn’t like dwarves–but who loves a good story! This week we look ...

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129. Tolkien Loved Eagles (too much?) : The Hobbit #17

129. Tolkien Loved Eagles (too much?) : The Hobbit #17

Stuck in trees with fire at their heels, the company find themselves surround by intelligent wolves and taunting orcs… but the eagles notice the commotion and decide to save Gandalf and his friends. T...

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