Connections - Chloe

Relating to this book is not an easy thing to do. After all how do you relate to a short, big footed and hairy toed person... maybe it isn't as hard as I thought.

while reading this book, I was very surprised to be relating to the main character, Bilbo. In the beginning of this section of the book, Bilbo is torn between leaving his comfortable hobbit hole for an adventure and staying home and relaxing. I relate to this because I am also often conflicted between going out with friends and having fun or staying home and watching anime. Although, unlike Bilbo I often choose the less interesting path. 

Another (slightly unfortunate) connection I have with Bilbo is our feet. My feet have always been big and generally hobbit-like. I take pride in my large feet. Like my mother once said, "It simply means it is very difficult to fill your shoes."



When the dwarves leave Bilbo's home, they leave the kitchen a fearful mess. Unfortunate as it is a relate to this strongly. But instead of thirteen dwarves I have to deal with one little sister. Sometimes I think she eats as much as thirteen dwarves and makes a mess much bigger. Which is strange because she still manages to be a reasonable weight for the amount of food she eats. My father used to tell me she has a hollow leg and thats where all of the food goes.

Riddles in the Dark - Illustration (Stephanie)

For this section of the book, I chose to draw the scene where Bilbo and Gollum are exchanging riddles. Here is what I drew.

In this drawing I chose to emphasis shadow, and drew it entirely in cold colors to portray the fear and discomfort that Bilbo is feeling. I tried to make Gollum look creepy, but I think it came off as cheerful and cute. Oops. I made the sword glow more than it probably would in the book, just so that I would have a source of light in the picture. I made the background simple because I am a lazy artist who hates drawing backgrounds so that the characters would pop, and kept the characters simple and cartoony so that I could focus on the colors and how they effect the mood. I also chose not to show an exit, so that it would seem like he was trapped with Gollum.

Overall I am pretty satisfied with the drawing. I could have done better if I hadn't procrastinated if I had more time, but for the time that I had, I think it is okay.
 ~Stephanie

section 1 Character Commander

Gollum

Deep down here by the dark water lived old Gollum a small slimy creature.

In the Hobbit one of the most interesting characters is Gollum he lives deep in the mountains beneath Goblin caves in the center of a deep dark under ground lake, eating fish and the occasional goblin. He's always on the lookout for a free meal, but finds himself intrigued when Bilbo stumbles upon his lake.  

He was watching Bilbo now from the distance with pale eyes like telescope.

From the safety of the lake Gollum curiously watched Bilbo as he felt his way around the lake in the pitch black. When Gollum approached him Bilbo was terrified of the creature in front of him. Gollum for what ever reason gave Bilbo a chance to defended himself by challenging him to a game of riddles.

"Sssss"said Gollum, and became quite polite. "Praps ye sits here and chats with a bitsy, my preciouss. It like riddles ,praps it does, does it"

After seeing that the hobbit had a sword in his hands Gollum was quick to avoid conflict, but gave Bilbo the chance of escape by making a deal to show the hobbit the way out if he can win a game of riddles.

Gollum was disappointed once more; and now he was getting angry, and also tired of the game.

After many riddles Gollum is being left hungry, and both are running out of riddles. In many attempts to confuse the other they are becoming slower with both their riddles and their answers but who will run out first the hobbit or the creature who lives in the lake.

"What have I got in my pocket?" he said aloud. he was talking to himself, but Gollum thought it was a riddle, and he was frightfully upset.

When Bilbo realized that Gollum thought this was a riddle he was quick to enforces it. Gollum made him give him three guesses and they were the following his hands, knife, and lastly nothing. All answers are wrong. Now I'm not going to tell you whats in Bilbo's pockets or what happens next if you want to know that than go read the book.