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The New Hobbit Hole

Posted on 03/14/2002 5:07:26 AM PST by HairOfTheDog

Welcome to The New Hobbit Hole

Concerning Hobbits

The New Hobbit Chronicles

This is a continuation of the infamous thread New Zealander Builds Hobbit Hole originally posted on January 26, 2001 by John Farson, who at the time undoubtedly thought he had found a rather obscure article that would elicit a few replies and die out. Without knowing it, he became the founder of the Hobbit Hole. For reasons incomprehensible to some, the thread grew to over 4100 replies. It became the place for hobbits and friends of hobbits to chit chat and share LoTR news and views, hang out, and talk amongst ourselves in the comfort of familiar surroundings.

In keeping with the new posting guidelines, the thread idea is continuing here, as will the Green Dragon Inn, our more structured spin-off thread, as soon as we figure out how to move all the good discussion that has been had there. As for the Hobbit Hole, we will just start fresh, bringing only a few mathoms such as the picture above with us to make it feel like home, and perhaps a walk down memory lane:

Our discussion has been light:

It very well may be that a thread named "New Zealander builds Hobbit hole" will end up being the longest Tolkien thread of them all, with some of the best heartfelt content... Sorry John, but I would have rather it had been one with a more distinguished title!… post 252 - HairOfTheDog

However, I can still celebrate, with quiet dignity, the fact that what started as a laugh about some wacko in New Zealand has mutated and grown into a multifaceted discussion of the art, literature, and philosophy that is Tolkien. And now that I've managed to write the most pompous sentence of my entire life, I agree, Rosie… post 506 - JenB

Hah! I was number 1000!! (Elvish victory dance... wait, no; that would be too flitty) … post 1001 - BibChr

Real men don't have to be afraid of being flitty! Go for it. – post 1011 – HairOfTheDog

Seventeen years to research one mystical object seems a bit excessive… post 1007 - JenB

Okay...who's the wise guy who didn't renew Gandalf's research grant?… post 1024 – Overtaxed

To the very philosophical:

…Judas Iscariot obviously was a good man, or he wouldn't have been chosen to be one of the Apostles. He loved Jesus, like all of the Apostles, but he betrayed him. Yet without his betrayal, the Passion and Crucifixion would never have occurred, and mankind would not have been redeemed. So without his self-destruction infinite good would not have been accomplished. I certainly do not mean this to be irreverant but it seems to me that this describes the character of Gollum, in the scenes so movingly portrayed above… Lucius Cornelius Sulla

To fun but heartfelt debates about the integrity and worth of some of the characters…

…Anyone else notice how Boromir treats the hobbits? He's very fond of them but he seems to think of them as children - ruffling Frodo's hair, calls them all 'little ones'. He likes them, but I don't think he really respects them… post 1536 - JenB

Yes... Tolkien told us not to trust Boromir right off the bat when he began to laugh at Bilbo, until he realized that the Council obviously held this hobbit in high esteem. What a pompous dolt… post 1538 - HairOfTheDog

…I think almost every fault of his can be traced directly back to his blindness to anything spiritual or unseen. He considers the halflings as children, because that is what they look like. He considers the only hope of the ring to be in taking it and using it for a victory in the physical realm. He cannot see what the hobbits are truly made of, he cannot see the unseen hope of what the destruction of the ring might mean--the destruction of Sauron himself, and he cannot see the unseen danger that lies in the use of the ring itself… I just feel sorry for Boromir--he is like a blind but honorable man, trying to take the right path on the road but missing the right path entirely because he simply cannot see it… post 1548 - Penny1

Boromir isn't a jerk, he's a jock… post 2401 – Overtaxed

-----------------------------------------

Oh, I think by the time Frodo reaches the Cracks, he's not even himself anymore! I think he's not only on the brink of a dangerous place physically, he's on the brink of losing himself completely during the exchange with Gollum. But for some reason, the take-over isn't complete till he actually has to throw the Ring in. The person speaking to Gollum is not Frodo, but the "Wheel of Fire" that Sam sees. After the Ring is destroyed, Frodo not only comes back to himself, but comes back with the unbearable (to him) knowledge of what it's like to be completely without compassion. I think that's why it's so important to him to be compassionate in the Shire… post 2506 - 2Jedismom

…Regarding Frodo's compassion... it's a little too much at the end. Even Merry tells him that he's going to have to quit being so darn nice. But you're right. He's learned a lesson about evil that very few ever learn since it wasn't an external lesson but an internal one. (Those kinds of lessons have the greatest impact) Not only did he totally succumb to it, but he was rather ruthless to my little Smeagol… post 2516 - carton253

Well that Frodo was a big mean bully! (to Smeagol)… post 2519 – Overtaxed

So as you can see, everything JRR Tolkien (and Peter Jackson) is welcome here in our New Row, our soon-to-be familiar New Hobbit Hole…; philosophy, opinion, good talk and frequent silliness.


TOPICS: Books/Literature; Chit/Chat; Poetry; TV/Movies; The Hobbit Hole
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To: Corin Stormhands
Ok, Now, Good night Corin!
12,301 posted on 07/05/2002 9:03:23 PM PDT by 2Jedismom
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To: Corin Stormhands; 2Jedismom; HairOfTheDog
Ah, now we can rest. G'nite again...
12,302 posted on 07/05/2002 9:04:00 PM PDT by Corin Stormhands
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To: 2Jedismom
Whoohooo! I'm number one!!
12,303 posted on 07/05/2002 9:04:16 PM PDT by 2Jedismom
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To: 2Jedismom
G'nite. I'm an hour ahead of you, so I'll go ahead and say good morning while I'm at it...
12,304 posted on 07/05/2002 9:04:57 PM PDT by Corin Stormhands
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To: 2Jedismom
I'm number one!!

You've always been number one with us 2JM.

12,305 posted on 07/05/2002 9:05:34 PM PDT by Corin Stormhands
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To: Corin Stormhands
Why did the parent ask that? Is it a Christian home school academy?
12,306 posted on 07/05/2002 9:05:42 PM PDT by 2Jedismom
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To: 2Jedismom
Yes, it is a Christian home school academy. My wife will be teaching American Lit and Writing to 10,11,&12 grades.

She's very good at teaching things from a Biblical world view. But she's not really tolerant of sheltering kids, especially at those ages. And the list she gave was "suggested" not mandatory.

I don't (and I don't think she does) have a problem with parents who don't want their kids to read certain things. I do have a problem if they can't give a reason for their objections. And, I think we've had these conversations here before, if we stick with just "Christian" authors, the pickin's are mighty slim, and even slimmer if we want quality too...

12,307 posted on 07/05/2002 9:10:21 PM PDT by Corin Stormhands
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To: Corin Stormhands
OK, this time I'm really gone. G'nite. I'll see you folks tomorrow.
12,308 posted on 07/05/2002 9:10:55 PM PDT by Corin Stormhands
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To: 2Jedismom
That is only a fraction of the evidence I have seen that you are a square peg! That is why I love ya!

Good night Corin!
12,309 posted on 07/05/2002 9:16:56 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog
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To: Corin Stormhands
Hmmm...well, if I sent my kid to a Christian school or co-op, I would expect the literature to be from a Christian world view. If the school claims to be a Christian institution and they don't stick to a Christian perspective, what's the point of sending them to a Christian school?

Many Christian parents are very sheltering of their kids and if your wife isn't tolerant of that, I fear she may be in for a shock! The parents are paying, I assume? If so, then they are the customer and your wife's tolerance or intolerance is irrelevent! They don't even have to explain or give the reasons for their objections!

From a purely business standpoint, the parent had the right to ask.

Don't hit me with anything!!! ;-)

12,310 posted on 07/05/2002 9:21:06 PM PDT by 2Jedismom
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To: HairOfTheDog
Jen's a lot like me, I think, except that she has a lot of self-confidence at an early age, and it took me years and years to realize I had anything worth saying.

Sometimes I blurt out more than I should, now. Hope that isn't the case with Corin just now! :-/

12,311 posted on 07/05/2002 9:26:44 PM PDT by 2Jedismom
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To: 2Jedismom
If it were a theology class, I would completely agree...

If the class is American Literature though... shouldn't the kids read "American" literature that has been popular or noteworthy, by prominent authors regardless of whether the author or subject is "Christian"? I wouldn't advocate trashy completely amoral stuff, but I somehow doubt that is the case with Corin's wife.

Corin, what are some of the titles?

The important American authors may or may not have been Christian. Of course, if there are Christian perspectives on ideas in the book, those could be discussed in class...
12,312 posted on 07/05/2002 9:34:25 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog
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To: HairOfTheDog
Mmm...yes, I see your point. But I'm a square peg and there are some pretty totally round pegs out there! LOL I guess it would have to be what specifically the customer was wanting to buy. If they are wanting to buy a totally Christian world view education (as is their right, more power to 'em), then they sure have the right to ask.

I personally think the entire question is moronic because the parent ought to make the final decision (Christian school or not) on what the child reads. If a parent called me up and said "Is this list approved?" I would say, "I don't know...have you approved it?" I mean, Corin's wife just suggested...it's up to the parent to approve. I think the parent had the right to ask because this is a business transaction, but parents like that just get on my last good nerve.

12,313 posted on 07/05/2002 9:48:55 PM PDT by 2Jedismom
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To: 2Jedismom
Yes, the "Is this approved by Christians? Please think for me!" aspect to her question is pretty weak. She probably hasn't read any of the books, and doesn't know if she is supposed to like them or not.
12,314 posted on 07/05/2002 9:55:14 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog
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To: HairOfTheDog
Exactly! The only thing that would keep me from shouting "What's wrong with you, you stupid cow?" is the fact that this is a business deal. The parent is the customer and Corin's wife is providing a service for a fee.

I have a friend that this all reminds me of. She homeschools too, and she uses a curriculum that is very good but also very very Christian based. I was using Calvert School at the time (first grade) and she was appalled that I would use a secular curriculum. She said "What if they slip something unchristian in on you and you teach it without knowing!" Just what you said, she was basically using her curriculum to think for her. She abdicated her own decision-making to a curriculum.

I don't abdicate my parenting to anyone. Not anyone or anything. My husband and I make the decisions about what is best for our children (with prayer and discussion) and many times people have balked at us...but we just plow on, doing what we think is best. And so far, it seems to be working! :-)
12,315 posted on 07/05/2002 10:06:30 PM PDT by 2Jedismom
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To: HairOfTheDog

12,316 posted on 07/05/2002 10:09:59 PM PDT by 2Jedismom
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To: 2Jedismom
hehehehe - I think it is a shame that I can't hear you say "What is wrong with you, you stupid cow?"

Much funnier than your retrained position, from my vantage point.
12,317 posted on 07/05/2002 10:12:34 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog
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To: HairOfTheDog
Hey, that same friend of mine came up to me and said "Oh, you should read this book!" It was called "Parenting is not for Cowards" and was obviously one of those psychobabble books that just happens to be aimed at Christian parents. I said "I don't need to read it, I'm not a coward and I'm not having any trouble parenting!"

You know, there's a time when you just gotta get up and do it and that's how we are with parenting. We could read about it...go to classes about it...all that stuff. But we don't. We just pray really hard (and I mean hard...sometimes I cry while I'm praying about my kids!) But by golly, when I get up off my knees, I've got to trust the Lord to answer my prayers and just do the best I can. Reading and taking courses and bible studies over it is just putting off doing it.
12,318 posted on 07/05/2002 10:20:56 PM PDT by 2Jedismom
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To: 2Jedismom

12,319 posted on 07/05/2002 10:21:42 PM PDT by 2Jedismom
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To: 2Jedismom
That is a great page of smilies! - I am gonna go back and make a note of some of those!


12,320 posted on 07/05/2002 10:26:50 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog
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