My last highlighting of important areas in Chapter 1 is almost at the end. It is a very important long passage that is centre to the back story, which what makes a story even more interesting:
"I have often wondered about my father's and my grandfather's escape. I see now they must have had a private Slide-door which only they knew about. But apparently they made a map, and I should like to know how Gandalf got hold of it, and why it did not come down to me, the rightful heir.
I did not get hold of it, I was given it, said the wizard. (1)Your grandfather Thror was killed, you remember, in the mines of Moria by Azog the Goblin.
Curse his name, yes, said Thorin.
And (2)Thrain your father went away on the twenty-first of April, a hundred years ago last Thursday, and has never been seen by you since.
True, true, said Thorin.
Well, your father gave me this to give to you; and if I have chosen my own time and way for handling it over, you can hardly blame me, (3)considering the trouble I had to find you.
Your father could not remember his own name when he gave me the paper, and he never told me yours; so on the whole I think I ought to be praised and thanked! Here it is, said he handing the map to Thorin.
I dont understand, said Thorin, and Bilbo felt he would have liked to say the same. The explanation did not seem to explain.
Your grandfather, said the wizard slowly and grimly, gave the map to his son for safety before he went to the mines of Moria. Your father went away to try his luck with the map after your grandfather was killed; (4)and lots of adventures of a most unpleasant sort he had, but he never got near the Mountain. (5)How he got there I dont know, but I found him a prisoner in the dungeons of the Necromancer.
Whatever were you doing there? asked Thorin with a shudder, and all the dwarves shivered.
Never mind you. (6)I was finding things out, as usual; and a nasty dangerous business it was. Even I, Gandalf, only just escaped. I tried to save your father, but it was too late. He was witless and wandering, and had forgotten almost everything except the map and the key.
We have long ago paid the goblins of (7)Moria, said Thorin.
We must give a thought to the Necromancer.
Dont be absurd! (8)He is an enemy far beyond the powers of all the dwarves put together, if they could all be collected again from the four corners of the world. The one thing your father wished was for his son to read the map and use the key. The dragon and the Mountain are more than big enough tasks for you!"
This whole passage is very well structured precisely because it speaks about back story history, it gives you the feeling that this story is real because there is a history to it, a history of war, evil, prison, loss and death.
1- Your grandfather Thror was killed, you remember, in the mines of Moria by Azog the Goblin. A scene of death, someone important being killed ruthlessly by a goblin in a dark place like mines. It makes the reader wonder how did this person die.
2- Thrain your father went away on the twenty-first of April, a hundred years ago last Thursday, and has never been seen by you since. A hundred years is a very long time, makes the reader wonder for how many years this has been going on. And giving an exact date also gives a touch of realism to the story. And saying that he has never been seen again has a chill to it, a dark mystery to it too.
3- Considering the trouble I had to find you. This statement implies that Gandalf the wise wizard has gone into a great deal of trouble to find Thorin. Something the reader would wish to know the story to but doesnt get the chance which leaves the reader thirsty for more.
4- And lots of adventures of a most unpleasant sort he had. This statement also implies that there is a story running in the background that is perhaps as big as The Hobbit. It also leaves a feeling of thrust and curiosity to know what it is. The reader can only imagine...
5- How he got there, I don't know. Again the theme of mystery is back which adds up to the general impression and atmosphere. It gives the reader the feeling that there is something dark out there, something dangerous out of the borders of the Shire.
6- I was finding things out as usual; and a nasty dangerous business it was. This statement pours into the creation of Gandalf's personality and character more than it has to do with the effect of the general theme. It implies that Gandalf as a wizard is a very busy person trying to maintain peace in middle earth. And that is why he faces many dangerous encounters. What he was doing down there in the dungeons remains a mystery to the reader.
7- Moria. The repetition of this name, the author wants you to know that this is a very important place, a lost kingdom full with gems and gold that has been taken over by the enemy. It ignites feelings of sympathy inside the reader that he wants the victory to the dwarves and they should restore back Erebor and Moria. It makes the reader excited and want to know more what ever happened to the lost kingdom of Moria.
8- He is an enemy far beyond the powers of all the dwarves put together, if they could all be collected again from the four corners of the world. This is a very short yet detailed description of an enemy. An enemy so powerful that not all the dwarves of all kingdoms can defeat. It does not describe exactly what this goblin evil is but it describes its power, which gives room to the reader to imagine. It also ignites the curiosity of the reader towards the dwarves. It is hinting that there are or were 4 dwarve kingdoms and they (the reader) are just exposed to 13 dwarves for the time being. Tolkien never satisfies the thirst of the reader, he always leaves them searching for more.
So, such passages include mystery, suspense, background story, history, death, danger, trouble and adventure. This is my analysis, you can of course disagree with me. But if you do, I would be interested in knowing what's yours.
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