11. Book 1:Chapter 1 - A Long-expected Party - [LoTR Read Along]

Green Dragon Live

The Nicks are ready to go on an adventure, and there's no better way to start than with a party! But after the food, drink, friends, and fireworks, how is it that such a little thing can cause such big problems? And how does this chapter kick off such an expansive story?

This is the first episode of an ongoing read-along podcast series, for The Lord of The Rings. If you are reading along (and we encourage you to do so), especially if this is your first time reading this book: we recommend that you finish reading Chapter 1 of Book 1 in The Fellowship of The Ring.

Send us your questions about this chapter or any other Tolkien/Middle-earth topic. Links below!

NOTE: Nicholas Jon's audio was destroyed by a digital Balrog - and we were forced to use our backup track for his audio.

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Maps

Map of Middle-earth

LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!

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Notes from this episode:

"Who or what brought you to Middle-earth or The Lord of The Rings?"

Tweet us your answer @greendragonlive

Novel or Novels? - Listen to Episode

Last Time In The Lord of The Rings

Bilbo went on an adventure with the wizard Gandalf and some Dwarves, on the way he found a magical golden ring that helped to make him invisible. Many different things happened throughout that narrative as a result of Bilbo allowing himself to become invisible. Close that story and fast forward 60 years, and Bilbo is very much the same as he was at the end of the Hobbit narrative, and he’s itching for another adventure.

Where Are We in the Narrative?

Year 3001 of the third age - The Shire - Bilbo is turning eleventy-one (111) and Frodo, his adopted heir, and nephew, is turning 33 and coming of age. Bilbo and Frodo are planning an extravagant joint birthday party to celebrate, and everyone is invited.

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3001 is the same as Shire Reckoning 1401.

Who is the narrator, can she or he read minds, and, more importantly, can we trust her or him?

This story is told from the perspective of a "Third Person (Omniscient)" narrator, in short, this means that the narrator is separate from or watching the action, and also happens to be able to know all of the actions, thoughts, or feelings of anyone in the world in any place or time.

Read More about Tolkien's choice of narration here:

Hobbit Culture - Listen to Episode 2

Read more about J.R.R. Tolkien's writing style here:

Family Stories and the Re-hashing of the same stories over and over again

- Think of the Hobbits as a big family, telling these stories is a way of keeping their identity, culture, and public opinions intact, and in check. Read more about why we might tell family stories here:

Read about Tolkien's use of poetry in The Lord of The Rings

The Nicks think this is an interesting video: Sir Ian McKellen, on acting - [VIDEO]

New Characters from this episode (dates in Shire Reckoning)

• Bilbo - Loner - Rich - Peculiar - Long-lived - Eccentric! - Feels stretched - 1290 - first adventure at age 50 - returned to the Shire in 1340
• Frodo - young - coming of age - generally liked by all, especially the younger cousins - 1368
• Gandalf - old - fiery - wearing blueish-grey - uses [Dwarvish] Runes/Elvish - hidden power & purpose “Fires - Smokes - Lights” - worried about the Ring
• Merry Brandybuck - Frodo’s friend - helps with the distribution of presents - young - not yet of age - 1382 (Pippin 1390)
• Sackville-Bagginses - Family of Bilbo’s - want Bag End - foiled by the inheritance Frodo is given

Links

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Special thanks to our friend Harry Murrell for the use of his music. Listen to more and subscribe to his channel here.