“Bilbo Baggins was standing at his door after breakfast smoking an enormous long wooden pipe that reached nearly down to his woolly toes (neatly brushed)—Gandalf came by.”
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Analysis
In this quote from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," we are introduced to Bilbo Baggins in a moment of calm before his life is about to be turned upside down by the arrival of Gandalf. The image of Bilbo standing at his door, leisurely smoking his pipe, conveys a sense of comfort and routine in his otherwise uneventful life. The mention of his woolly toes being neatly brushed suggests a certain level of fussiness or attention to detail in Bilbo's character. This peaceful scene of domesticity is about to be disrupted as Gandalf enters the picture, signaling the beginning of an epic adventure for Bilbo.
The Power of Simple Pleasures in a Busy World
In J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," the image of Bilbo Baggins standing at his door, leisurely smoking a pipe, captures the essence of finding joy in simple moments. In today's fast-paced world, where everyone seems to be constantly on the go, taking the time to pause, relax, and appreciate the small things can serve as a reminder to slow down and enjoy life.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
In the opening scene of The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins is described as standing at his door after breakfast, smoking a long wooden pipe. This sets the tone for the rest of the story and introduces readers to the whimsical world of Middle-earth.
Reflection Questions:
As we read this passage from J.R.R. Tolkien's work, we are introduced to the familiar and beloved character of Bilbo Baggins. Let's take a moment to reflect on this scene and consider some questions:
- What does Bilbo's appearance and actions in this passage reveal about his character?
- How does the author's description of Bilbo's pipe and Gandalf's arrival set the tone for the story?
- In what ways does the interaction between Bilbo and Gandalf foreshadow events to come in the story?
- What emotions or thoughts does this scene evoke in you as a reader?
- How does the setting of this scene contribute to the overall atmosphere of the story?
Similar quotes
“All that the unsuspecting Bilbo saw that morning was an old man with a staff. He had a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, a silver scarf over which his long white beard hung down below his waist, and immense black boots."Good morning!" said Bilbo, and he meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. But Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his shady hat."What do you mean?" he said. "Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I wish it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?""All of them at once," said Bilbo. "And a very fine morning for a pipe of tobacco out of doors, into the bargain." Then Bilbo sat down on a seat by his door, crossed his legs, and blew out a beautiful grey ring of smoke that sailed up into the air without breaking and floated away over The Hill.”
“Gandalf, dwarves and Mr. Baggins! We are met together in the house of our friend and fellow conspirator, this most excellent and audacious hobbit—may the hair on his toes never fall out!”
“I am like a burglar that can't get away, but must go on miserably burgling the same house day after day.—Bilbo Baggins”
“Good Morning!" said Bilbo, and he meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. But Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his shady hat."What do you mean?" he said. "Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?""All of them at once," said Bilbo. "And a very fine morning for a pipe of tobacco out of doors, into the bargain...."Good morning!" he said at last. "We don't want any adventures here, thank you! You might try over The Hill or across The Water." By this he meant that the conversation was at an end."What a lot of things you do use Good morning for!" said Gandalf. "Now you mean that you want to get rid of me, and that it won't be good till I move off.”
“Then Frodo came forward and took the crown from Faramir and bore it to Gandalf; and Aragorn knelt, and Gandalf set the White Crown upon his head and said:Now come the days of the King, and may they be blessed while the thrones of the Valar endure!”
“A great dread fell on him, as if he was awaiting the pronouncement of some doom that he had long foreseen and vainly hoped might after all never be spoken. An overwhelming longing to rest and remain at peace by Bilbo's side in Rivendell filled all his heart. At last with an effort he spoke, and wondered to hear his own words, as if some other will was using his small voice. "I will take the Ring," he said, "though I do not know the way.”