Dreams and Visions - of Hobbits

[Valandil]

On my current re-read of LOTR, I'm tracking the various times that Frodo or any of the other hobbits have a dream, or a vision. I have always noticed partway through that they seem to keep having them. Especially Frodo. RIght now I'm nearing the end of Book 1 - several pages into "A Knife in the Dark" - and I have a number of dreams and visions already.

Do certain of these dreams or visions really strike you, or stand out to you? Which ones?

I'll keep you posted on my findings.

For fun - I also want to track all the times Bilbo wishes he was back at home during his adventures in The Hobbit. I just re-read that, and totally forgot to track them. So I have to wait until next time and hope I remember.

 

[Deimos]

Frodo's dream (while at Crickhollow) of climbing up the ridge (of the Tower Hills?) to reach the Tower.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

Reading the drafts gives insight into some of these. The Crickhollow dream, for instance, stems from a discarded idea that Gandalf and proto-Frodo were chased there by the Nazgul.
Similarly, his dream at TB's house, causing expectations of seeing hoofprints outside, after waking up: one draft had the Riders actually surrounding the house.

 

[Eljorahir]

I also want to track all the times Bilbo wishes he was back at home during his adventures in The Hobbit.

I noted Bilbo's many thoughts of home during his journey on a previous read-through. I counted eleven times. My two favorites involved bacon and eggs. Yum! 🥓🥓🍳🍳

Chapter V, ‘Riddles in The Dark’
He put the ring in his pocket almost without thinking…He did not go much further, but sat down on the cold floor and gave himself up to complete miserableness, for a long while. He thought of himself frying bacon and eggs in his own kitchen at home—for he could feel inside that it was high time for some meal or other; but that only made him miserabler.

Chapter VIII, ‘Flies and Spiders’
That was one of his most miserable moments…So he sat himself down with his back to a tree, and not for the last time fell to thinking of his far-distant hobbit-hole with its beautiful pantries. He was deep in thoughts of bacon and eggs and toast and butter when he felt something touch him. Something like a strong sticky string…

 

[Deimos]

I noted Bilbo's many thoughts of home during his journey on a previous read-through. I counted eleven times. My two favorites involved bacon and eggs. Yum! 🥓🥓🍳...

Chapter VIII, ‘Flies and Spiders’
That was one of his most miserable moments…So he sat himself down with his back to a tree, and not for the last time fell to thinking of his far-distant hobbit-hole with its beautiful pantries. He was deep in thoughts of bacon and eggs and toast and butter when he felt something touch him. Something like a strong sticky string…

I will hazard a guess and say it was his thoughts of home, of the Shire, that also bolstered his courage and will to fight and not despair, and not count the cost (injury, death).

 

[Eljorahir]

I will hazard a guess and say it was his thoughts of home, of the Shire, that also bolstered his courage and will to fight and not despair, and not count the cost (injury, death).

Yep. I'm sure that's right. However, it occurs to me that Bilbo's thoughts might also be comparable to a somewhat less-amiable character in another genre:

'Why, oh why, didn't I take the blue pill?'
--Cypher, The Matrix

 

[Valandil]

Three follow-up posts are from my last paragraph about The Hobbit. I meant it in an offhand way.

Mods, Admins - what do you think? Should those portions be split off into a separate thread in The Hobbit Forum?

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

I wouldn't, at this point -- we can get back on track. 😄

Of course you (or anyone) are free to start a separate thread in the Hobbit forum.