Personally I think Bilbo is written with two side (Took and Baggins) very intentionally - they are both good. Tolkein encourages the necessity of adventure without taking away from the glory of the peaceful Shire. The Shire is in many ways ideal. It's not for nothing that Thorin's dying words at the end of the adventure are that if more people valued food and cheer (comfortable Hobbitish things) then the world would be a merrier place. It's good to be willing to take on the needed adventure but then to also be ready to get back to your books and gardens and rest when it's done.
Welcome to Substack! And well said. Glad to have you writing and contributing here and starting an adventure of your own here!
Thank you friend! Good to be on here with such excellent and admirable friends :)
Personally I think Bilbo is written with two side (Took and Baggins) very intentionally - they are both good. Tolkein encourages the necessity of adventure without taking away from the glory of the peaceful Shire. The Shire is in many ways ideal. It's not for nothing that Thorin's dying words at the end of the adventure are that if more people valued food and cheer (comfortable Hobbitish things) then the world would be a merrier place. It's good to be willing to take on the needed adventure but then to also be ready to get back to your books and gardens and rest when it's done.
Read this article once through in between some busy sessions of work.
Needless to say, I will be reading it again. Probably every day, for the next week.
I think something Tookish inside me, too, is gulping down the oxygen of your words like a greedy flame.