The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and Tolkien - The One Ring

by **VTSG** » Wed Feb 04, 2004 8:09 am

WELCOME! If you have not yet done so, please read the READ THIS FIRST sticky thread at the top of the forum page, for guidelines, links to all threads and other helpful information. This OOC thread is a new thread started for the discussion of The Hobbit and perhaps also for the Lord of the Rings. The previous thread can be found <a href='http://www.tolkienonline.com/thewhitecouncil/messageview.cfm?catid=53&threadid=50469' target=_blank>here</a>. This is where you sign on to let us know you're interested, even if all you want to do is lurk. It's heartening for all the regulars to know that we are not alone! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> You can contribute to the discussions as and when you feel comfortable. This is also the thread for asking any and all questions about anything in the forum, and for any comments or suggestions you might have. We also use this thread to exchange information about the VTSG and we encourage you to keep up with posts here, as it is the only way you will hear of changes to timetabling or other issues/topics being discussed by participants. Bellow you will find the Timetable of study portions, listing names of thread leaders and our schedule. If you would like to volunteer as a thread leader, don't be shy about it! All are welcome, veteran and newby alike. All thread leaders will get hold of the password of this particular username (VTSG) and will have access to the OOC thread. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif"border=0> Happy reading! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif"border=0>

by **VTSG** » Wed Feb 04, 2004 8:11 am

TIMETABLE

This timetable may be varied if we find we need less/more time per portion. Please make suggestions and volunteer to fill the gaps. For a list of suggested background reading please see the second post on the Virtual Study Group Resources thread.

1 February 2004, Sunday
TEXT The Hobbit, Chapter 1: An Unexpected Party
OPENING SUMMARY Starlin
THREAD LEADER Starlin

1 March 2004, Monday
TEXT The Hobbit, Chapter 2: Roast Mutton
OPENING SUMMARY Rowanberry
THREAD LEADER Rowanberry

1 April 2004, Thursday
TEXT The Hobbit, Chapter 3: A Short Rest
OPENING SUMMARY Rowanberry
THREAD LEADER Rowanberry

1 May 2004, Saturday
TEXT The Hobbit, Chapter 4: Over Hill and Under Hill
OPENING SUMMARY Starlin
THREAD LEADER Starlin

1 June 2004, Tuesday
TEXT The Hobbit, Chapter 5: Riddles in the Dark
OPENING SUMMARY Lillassea
THREAD LEADER Lillassea

1 July 2004, Thursday
TEXT The Hobbit, Chapter 6: Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire
OPENING SUMMARY Mahima
THREAD LEADER Mahima

1 August 2004, Sunday
TEXT The Hobbit, Chapter 7: Queer Lodgings
OPENING SUMMARY Rowanberry
THREAD LEADER Rowanberry

1 September 2004, Wednesday
TEXTT he Hobbit, Chapter 8: Flies and Spiders
OPENING SUMMARY Mahima
THREAD LEADER Mahima

1 October 2004, Friday
TEXT The Hobbit, Chapter 9: Barrels Out of Bond
OPENING SUMMARY Lillassea
THREAD LEADER Lillassea

1 November 2004, Monday
TEXT The Hobbit, Chapter 10: A Warm Welcome; Chapter 11: On the Doorstep
OPENING SUMMARY Eruname127
THREAD LEADER Starlin

1 December 2004, Wednesday
TEXT The Hobbit, Chapter 12: Inside Information
OPENING SUMMARY Thewhitetree
THREAD LEADERS Mahima, Thewhitetree

1 January 2005, Saturday
TEXT The Hobbit, Chapter 13: Not at Home, Chapter 14: Fire and Water
OPENING SUMMARY Thewhitetree
THREAD LEADERS Thewhitetree

1 February 2005, Tuesday
TEXT The Hobbit, Chapter 15: The Gathering of the Clouds, Chapter 16: A Thief in the Night
OPENING SUMMARY Starlin
THREAD LEADERS Starlin

1 March 2005, Tuesday
TEXT The Hobbit, Chapter 17: The Clouds Burst, Chapter 18: The Return Journey, Chapter 19: The Last Stage
OPENING SUMMARY scion_arwenevenstar
THREAD LEADERS scion_arwenevenstar

1 April 2005, Friday
TEXT Final section: comments, summaries of the main themes etc.
OVERVIEW

February 04, March 04, April 04 - starlin
May 04, June 04, July 04 - scion_arwenevenstar
August 04, September 04, October 04 - rowanberry
November 04 - any takers?
December 04, January 05 - Mahima
February 05, March 05 - any takers?

(for this section please see below in this thread, somewhere on the 8th page and further: all participants can join us in doing the final summaries)

by **starlin** » Wed Feb 04, 2004 8:19 am

OK, so I opened this thread, I hope everyone agrees... <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif"border=0> I copied the info from Novice's thread and made the schedule, which is yet IMHO to be debated. I gave each chapter a month, but maybe it is not necessary. Any suggestions? Maybe some chapters should be done in two? Now when other thread leaders appear, I'll email them the password of this VTSG username. What say you? <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif"border=0>Starlin<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif"border=0>

by **tolkienpurist** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 12:32 am

I'm interested - I will first and foremost proclaim that I am relatively ignorant of Tolkien as compared to most people who would probably post in VTSG. Thus, for now I will be primarily lurking, but may be willing to help out gradually as I grow more informed. Thanks to all who are doing this - it's a wonderful resource, especially for those of us who are 'average' level at best in Tolkien knowledge. - TP

by **Gamil_Zirak** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 4:44 pm

And i thought I was knowlegdeble until I met Romestamo.

by **Evenstar_of_Imladris** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 4:56 pm

I had said in the other OOC thread that I was interested and I still am <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> I printed out the discussion questions so I can have them with me while I re-read the first chapter. Evenstar_of_Imladris

by **miles2go** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 8:11 am

Hi everyone! I see so many new names that there is probably no one who remembers I was here for some of the Silmarillion. No matter. I hope you don't mind if I join you now. I will try to belly up along the way for a summary or two, but I can't for the next couple of months. Just a thought: I wonder if it would be possible to start a whole new catagory under Books that would show up as VTSG: The Hobbit. There are probably more folks interested in studying The Hobbit than there were the Sil, but they may not know what we are doing. In some cases in the US it is required reading in high school, so there are likely to be a lot more people who have read it and feel comfortable with it. Thanks, starlin, for starting things off. Miles

by **rowanberry** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 10:49 am

I added a link to the VTSG into my sig - maybe someone notices it and checks this forum... <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Starlin, I might be able to write the summary for the discussion of Roast Mutton; I'll be on vacation for a week in the end of February, and can maybe use a day or two for thinking of reasonable questions.

by **Evenstar_of_Imladris** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 1:34 pm

I think it's a very good idea what you did with your sig rowan- I would encourage anyone participating who has a sig to provide a link, perhaps it'll spark some more interest <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Evenstar_of_Imladris

by **jaspur** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 7:56 pm

I just wanted to say that I have just finished "The Hobbit" , and am going to follow along with the vtsg and re-read the chapters as you go. I will mainly be lurking , and only adding when I have information/ points of view that add insight. Well done so far , by the way.

by **starlin** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 7:11 am

Welcome and welcome back (to some <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0>) Rowanberry, so I'll add you to the Roast Mutton, allright? Both to summary and thread leaders. And I'll send you the password a little bit later (currently I have some problems with my mailbox, soon it'll be fixed).

by **laureanna** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 11:28 pm

I just finished rereading The Hobbit, too, and would like to lurk, until I get the hang of it.

by **SharonAllen** » Sun Feb 08, 2004 12:52 pm

Hi I am interested I haven't bought The Hobbit yet but plan to on Tuesday....I am a total Tolkien Virgin as I haven't read any of his work as of yet. Just let me know what to do to participate (sorry I'm a newbie) and I will follow along and participate! Sharon

by **starlin** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 7:45 am

Hello, SharonAllen. Don't hesitate to join us in the discussion thread! I suggest reading the first chapter (of course, when you buy the book) and the summaries in the first post. These will provide you with additional information. We would be very glad to hear your fresh impressions on the book! If you have any questions, please ask. As for a Tolkien Virgin I think a categorie of the same name here on TORC might prove useful as well, so you may want to search through it. And... use our virtual resource library, it's good! Good luck, I look forward to seeing you in the discussion. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0>Starlin<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0>

by **holbytla** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 7:37 pm

Hey all. I posted in the "OOC: sign on, ask questions and chat about the VTSG" a few months back about my interest in this. Glad to see it has started. Looking forward to the discussion. I'll read and possibly post if I can add anything to the discussion.

by **Mahima** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:03 am

Hello everyone, boy I stay away for a while... and the old OOC thread has reached the bottom of the first page!!! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif"border=0> I have been FORCED to take a sabbatical from our dear TORC by my company... and unfortunately, I don't think I will ever be the kind of regular visitor I was at TORC... either way, I am not disappearing or leaving as some of us have decided to... <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif"border=0>, I just will not be a permanent fixture like I used to be. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> As of now, I am resisting taking on any summary till I get into a some kind of arrangement wherein I can be a little regular again... Its great to see renewed interest in the VTSG. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Hey miles2go, good to see you back! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0>

by **miles2go** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 4:01 pm

Thanks, Mahima! You too. I miss the old familiars, but these guys have a good thing going. Thanks and congratulations to everyone who has picked up the ball and kept this thread alive. You are doing a great job.<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Miles

by **Faramond** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 2:12 am

I'll be participating.

by **Alcina** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 12:20 pm

As requested in the introduction, I'm stating that I'll be joining your community. Though I probably won't contribute much to the current topic for the next few months, as I can't stand 'The Hobbit'. In spite of trying. I always lurk in any forum for a few weeks anyway (part of the old netiquette of the early 90s I guess) If anyone is interested in an introduction, I live in Cambridge UK, I've not been active on any Tolkien boards for the last few years, though I spent a lot of time on r.a.b.t a few years ago when messageboards were out of fashion. I'm female, and I'm really called Elizabeth, or sometimes Bonzo. Hello all.

by **Minuial** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 1:13 pm

Hello everyone!! Just popping in to say that I'll be lurking here as well. I've been a career lurker in the Movies forum, but I'm moving to books now. I know I'm joining a little late, but my only internet access is at work and things have been kind of hectic here for the past few weeks. Tolkienpurist: I've enjoyed and/or agreed with a very large amount of your posts in the movies forum, so I look forward to enjoying even more of them here! Everyone else: I definitely look forward to everyone's opinions and feelings about The Hobbit, new perspectives are always enjoyable!!

by **truehobbit** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 7:34 pm

Hi all! It's nice to see so many new faces, and some familiar ones! (Hi Mahima and miles! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> ) I used to take part in the Sil discussion (well, the first two or three chapters <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif"border=0> ), and was quite surprised to see you've started on the Hobbit. As I should really re-read that, the VTSG might be a good incentive! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> However, I see the VTSG has acquired a "committee" thingy or whatever you'd call it. Like the "uktorcers" in Events, or the "Kitten Heels" in Talk - a group ID instead of a user name as thread-starter. I don't know why that's so fashionable, but I don't like it much. It feels like talking to a group of anonymous individuals. Even if you know who the group consists of, you never know who you are talking to at the moment. Or maybe it's not a group at all? So, although I know it's not exactly good manners to ask this, I'd really like to know who is behind the VTSG ID!

by **rowanberry** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 10:32 am

Truehobbit, welcome to join the discussion! At the moment, behind the VTSG are Starlin and myself; our purpose is to later include some others that are active here as well. The group identity was created simply because that way, it is possible to update the timelines, thread leader names, etc., even though the originator of the OOC thread would be away for a long time.

by **miles2go** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 11:14 am

Truehobbit-- Good to see you, too.<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> I'm here, guys, and I'm reading your posts. I hope to have time to make some decent, thoughtful comments this week. My sons are at the end of their hockey season and somehow I got volunteered to coordinate parties. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-rolleyes.gif"border=0> Miles

by **Mahima** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 10:02 am

Hi miles, rowan and Hobby - good to see you all around. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> And great to see many new faces and so much interest in the Hobbit discussion. I will try and jump in soon... hopefully very soon. Take care everyone. Thanks for taking the helm, Starlin and Rowanberry.

by **truehobbit** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 5:49 pm

Thanks for your patience in explaining the procedure and answering my question, rowanberry! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> It's good of you and starlin to take up the responsibility of continuing the VTSG <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> And thanks to miles and Mahima for remembering me. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> There are some more people around, though, aren't there?

by **Gayalhawiel** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 3:21 pm

Hi! I just wanted to sign in and say I'm here! This is the first time that I've posted in this forum, and I'm very happy I stumbled across it!<img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0>

by **shadowcat** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 7:19 pm

rowanberry, Thanks for the link, this will give me a chance to re-read the hobbit, I've only read it once. So I might be just asking questions. YAz

by **rowanberry** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 4:52 am

Welcome to the club, Gayalhawiel and Shadowcat! <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Questions are welcome.

by **Arvegil** » Wed Mar 03, 2004 10:34 am

Uh, hello? Anyone? What I am trying to say is: we have a fresh topic that needs postings!

by **starlin** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 2:59 am

Yes yes, I'm here, sorry for leaving the group for a while, I've been terribly busy. I'll try to add to the discussion today or tomorrow...

The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and Tolkien - The One Ring

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