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Post by Sparrow on Jul 5, 2004 13:41:15 GMT -6
When Bilbo greeted Gandalf with a sincere, "Good morning!", Gandalf responded by inquiring what Bilbo meant by this simple phrase, offering several alternative interpretations. Bilbo, undaunted, responded and continued to make conversation. How would you have reacted to Gandalf's response? How would it make you feel to have your greeting dissected? Would you have wished to continue in conversation with the stranger, or not? What does this exchange reveal about Bilbo and Gandalf?
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Post by Hilary on Jul 5, 2004 16:55:17 GMT -6
Poor little Bilbo, sitting there, blowing his smoke rings, minding his own business...if he only knew what was heading for him!
I had never considered how many meanings a seemingly simple phrase like "Good Morning" could have. Tolkien's love of words shines in this exchange...he brings so much to light, yet does it in a very humorous way.
Clearly Gandalf has notoriety attached to him, according to the rather conservative standards of the Shire. Yet Bilbo's recollections of Gandalf's past exploits are not typically Hobbitish (as we come to know them). He has what is described in this tale as a "Tookish" reaction...having a broader view of life and experiences than most of his neighbors. He actually has to stop himself from stating that in times past things were interesting when Gandalf was around. I've always liked Gandalf's gruff and grumpy manner...somehow he comes across much more true than if he was aloof, all-knowing, and too-good-to-be true.
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Post by Greenleaf on Jul 6, 2004 7:12:47 GMT -6
This particular response of Gandalf to Bilbo's good morning is one of my favorite lines! So typical of him to give such an answer! Bilbo's undaunted first reaction shows what a jovial, friendly, sociable hobbit he was. But, of course, his second reaction, when Gandalf starts mentioning adventures, is not so undaunted anymore! He pretended to read his morning letters, and then, when Gandalf insisted on sending him on an adventure, he even rushed into his hole and shut the door. But being the polite hobbit he was, he made the mistake to invite Gandalf for tea the next day. Although I think Gandalf would still have found a way to make Bilbo go along with the Dwarves, even if he hadn't been invited for tea.
As for myself, I suppose that such a response would have put me off somehow. I would find it somewhat rude and I would eye the stranger suspiciously - given his attire especially - and I would think, "Now, what does this weird old man want with me?" But when you're outside of the story, Gandalf's response is so funny and makes you grin! Especially if you're already familiar with Gandalf's mysterious ways.
By the way, Gandalf is described to wear "a long grey cloak". Do you think it might be elvish?
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Post by Desi Baggins on Jul 6, 2004 12:23:15 GMT -6
Had I been Bilbo I would have thought the old man rude. It is amazing though how friendly our little Hobbit friend is, but that friendliness does send him off on an adventure.
I must say I have always loved Gandalf's response, I have even used it on people. The reasponse is usually just a blank look.
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Post by Fangorn on Jul 7, 2004 0:26:55 GMT -6
A great line to be sure! If it was me, Gandalf's statement would have made me laugh and want to talk to him more. I think if we consider how Bilbo might have reacted to the same statement at the end of his adventures, we might have a clue to how he grew in the story.
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Post by Desi Baggins on Jul 7, 2004 6:08:15 GMT -6
Bilbo surely would have reacted differently at the end of his adventure. I think instead of jumping to another topic he would have explained exactly what was good. Something like it is a good morning because I am at home in my nice cozy Hobbit hole...
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Post by Androga Erindalant on Jul 7, 2004 10:01:20 GMT -6
I always have liked that statement. It really made me laugh. And that's what I would do if Gandalf appeared on my doorstep to say something like that to me. I probably would try to say something witty back and fail.
It's definitely interesting to see what Bilbo's reaction would be after the adventure.
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Post by Stormrider on Jul 9, 2004 5:55:12 GMT -6
I laughed the first time I read that line, too! Right away the Reader sits up and takes note of this intriguing old man because Gandalf's comment makes us pause and think about all the ways that statement can be interpreted!
Bilbo seemed to be in a good mood when Gandalf answered him with that comment and Bilbo remained in that good mood when he answered back! "All of them at once," said Bilbo. "And a very fine morning for a pipe of tobacco out of doors, into the bargain. If you have a pipe about you, sit down and have a fill of mine! There's no hurry, we have all the day before us!" He even invited the stranger to sit down with him!
Until Bilbo found out that Gandalf was looking for someone to share in an adventure! "Sorry! I don't want any adventures, thank you. Not today. Good morning!...." And now "Good morning" meant "Good Bye!" And Bilbo was somewhat perturbed at that point! The "respectable" side of his nature came out.
Anyway, I would have become curious about Gandalf if he had made his statement about the meaning of Good morning to me. After having invited him to sit down with his pipe and blow smoke rings with me, I would have been very interested in going on the adventure with him. There is something very alluring about just taking a few belongings and heading out the door to see the wide world with a wizard! I would have gone!
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Post by Stormrider on Jul 10, 2004 5:01:24 GMT -6
I had a few more questions on Gandalf and Bilbo's relationship:
Bilbo does not recognize Gandalf at first. Why? Once he does, a flood of memory comes back to him. What type of adventures and mischief did Gandalf inspire in the Took side of Bilbo’s family?
Bilbo seemed torn between finding Gandalf’s exploits interesting and upsetting. What do you think Bilbo really feels toward Gandalf and his adventures?
Why didn’t the hobbits, in general, like adventure?
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Post by Greenleaf on Jul 10, 2004 17:54:27 GMT -6
Perhaps Bilbo was still a child the last time he saw Gandalf, so it appears reasonable he didn't remember him at once. Or perhaps he had subconsciously chosen to "forget" this "troublemaker". Which seems more likely to me.
One might say that Bilbo and the hobbits in general represent the simple, ordinary people, who mind their own business and are content with a secure, quiet life. This kind of people are usually afraid of the unknown, of anything unexpected and unpredictable that might shatter the fragile structure of their carefully orderly existence. However, it is also common that deep in their hearts a lot of these people wish for something exciting to happen in their routine lives, that they dream of "adventures" and imagine themselves playing a prominent part in said "adventures". (The word adventure may apply to anything, according to the deep unspoken desires of each person.) It is another matter altogether whether given the chance, they will find the courage to realize these dreams, giving up the security of their carefully structured lives.
Bilbo is seemingly content with his peaceful way of living and dreads anything that would shatter it. But only seemingly as it turns out to be. Even if hasn't admitted as much to himself, it is obvious that he is secretly fascinated by adventures and he subconsciously wishes for something extraordinary to happen to him.
Gandalf, who is an excellent reader of minds and hearts, has apparently seen through Bilbo's external aversion for anything unexpected or even slightly adventurous. And being an excellent manipulator too (with the good sense), he arranges this "unexpected" party, knowing how it would wake up Bilbo's Tookish side and prompt him to pursue his secret desires, something which otherwise he'd never dare to do.
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Post by Stormrider on Jun 26, 2012 17:24:49 GMT -6
It seems to me that Gandalf had always been known for his fireworks. To a young hobbit, that would have been very exciting. It is for me even as an adult. I don't think that would be something Bilbo would easily have forgotten! However, as a child, the memory of Gandalf himself may have dimmed but the fireworks were well implanted.
I was looking though a few other books in the HOME series to see if I could find more references to Gandalf inspiring other hobbit lads and lasses to take adventures and I was sorry to say that I could not find much at all. Too bad, that would have been an interesting diversion to learn of such adventures. Evidently Bilbo had heard of those exploits and remembered them once his memory was jogged. Too bad JRRT's Narrator didn't fill in some information on those adventures!
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