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Post by Sparrow on Jul 12, 2004 6:17:57 GMT -6
SPOILER ALERT!!!! RESPONSES TO THIS QUESTION MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS, IF YOU ARE READING THIS STORY FOR THE FIRST TIME.
When caught by the trolls, Bilbo proposes a deal: he will cook them breakfast if they will promise not to eat him and the dwarves. Does Bilbo offer other deals in the course of the story? What does this reveal about Bilbo's character and his qualifications as a burglar and as a hero?
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Post by Stormrider on Jul 3, 2012 7:00:00 GMT -6
Bilbo is becoming a wheeler dealer! I think he is trying to live up to his burglar status in the eyes of the dwarves so he is trying to do things he thinks would show them he is a good burglar. Although burglaring is more like stealing rather than dealing, he has to be crafty in order to make the deal to get them out of the pot with the Trolls.
Bilbo's riddle game with Gollum helped Bilbo escape the dark roots of the mountain. It was another type of trade off. All Bilbo wanted was to get out of the mountain (and try to meet up with the dwarves again). By winning the game, Bilbo traded off for Gollum's promise to lead him out. Bilbo won the riddle game but it backfired when Gollum realized Bilbo had the Ring in his pocket. Accidenytally slipping the Ring on his finger and becoming invisible was pure luck, but Bilbo had become smart enough to keep it on and follow Gollum out!
Bilbo's deal with the Arkenstone is another example. Biblo traded for all the parties involved to make an agreeable settlement for damages owed. Thorin would not have agreed to pay the people of Laketown or the Elves for any damages incurred from the dragon or the captivity in the Elf Cave. After seeing the hoard of treasure, Bilbo was wise enough to know the dwarves needed to make amends with their neighbors and by taking the object of Thorin's desire gave Bilbo the leverage to make the deal work. Bilbo had grown in his wisdom to see what was right and just for everyone and smart enough to know how to make that happen.
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