Exploring Tolkien24 Jun 2025

140. Into the Mountain’s Throat – The Hobbit #27

Erebor’s secret door: clever storytelling or a bit too convenient? In this episode, we discuss one of The Hobbit’s quieter chapters, where Bilbo and the dwarves finally reach Erebor’s hidden entrance. We break down why the dwarves seem at a loss, how Bilbo’s perspective has shifted on the journey, and whether this chapter signals Tolkien’s move from fairy tale logic toward a more realistic fantasy world.

We also look at:

Why the thrush and its “snail anvil” are more than just a quirky detail
What the dwarves’ lack of a plan says about their role in the story
The line between chance events and plot devices in Tolkien’s writing
Bilbo’s all-important homesick mindset

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

How Tolkien’s view of dwarves changed over time—and what inspired it
The first mentions of dwarves in Tolkien’s legendarium
Warhammer armies, 3D printing, and tabletop gaming
Answering listener questions from YouTube and Discord

If you’d like to hear the extended conversation and join upcoming live chats, become a member today (free for the first month)!

🔗 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

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(166)

29. When Elves met Men – Of the Coming of Men, Part 1 – The Silmarillion – 19

Do elves regard men as enemies? Foes? Invaders? How did the elves treat men the first time they met them? Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they look at how the Noldor (surprisingly) treated men VERY...

20 Des 20220s

28. Tolkien’s Disney Princess!? – Of Maeglin – The Silmarillion – 18

Dan’s Big Thought is a little TOO controversial… a Disney princess!? And of course we meet the Dark Elf, Eöl — even though, as we find out, his name is not the first time Tolkien uses the capital “D” ...

13 Des 20220s

27. He’s an Angry Elf | Of the Noldor – The Silmarillion – 17

As Turgon builds the city of Gondolin in secret, the bitter seeds of distrust between the Noldor and the Sindar find fertile ground, for Melian warns Thingol, “Their swords and their counsels shall ha...

6 Des 20220s

26. This Map is HELL – Of Beleriand – The Silmarillion – 16

Location and placement were incredibly important to Tolkien–so important that an entire chapter of The Silmarillion is dedicated to who is where! While it can definitely feel like a geography lesson, ...

29 Nov 20220s

25. Doomsday and Dragons – Return of the Noldor, Part 2 – The Silmarillion – 15

Tolkien sets out the pieces of Middle-earth’s chess board, putting the characters in their proper places before the doomsday of Fëanor’s unspoken realization bears down on all the players… and we get ...

22 Nov 202256min

24. Middle-earth’s Game of Thrones – Return of the Noldor – The Silmarillion – 14

With Chapter 13 of The Silmarillion, Tolkien tells us Of The Return of the Noldor, revealing that the houses of Feanor, Fingolfin, and Thingol are the ORIGINAL Game of Thrones! Join Jonathan, Michael,...

15 Nov 20220s

23. Toxic Masculinity or Inscrutable Men – Of Men – The Silmarillion – 13

************************** In “Of Men”, Tolkien gives us the first glimpse into Man-Elf relations–and it wasn’t all toxic at first (just incsrutable!). Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they talk Cha...

8 Nov 20220s

22. Inspired by Tolkien | The Rings of Power, Glass Hammer, and Music in Middle-earth

I had the pleasure of sitting with Steve Babb from the band Glass Hammer to talk The Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Power, and what it’s like to be a creator inspired by Tolkien. Glass Hammer kicked ...

1 Nov 20220s