1) Do you see any parallels between Frodo’s and Bilbo’s journeys to
Rivendell? At first glance, it seems obvious that there are parallels,
but I think there are fewer than what's on the surface.
Bilbo and Frodo both stayed in Rivendell which helped them rest and prepare for
the remainder of their journey. However, Bilbo already had his quest and
his companions, he didn't need protection from evil that was pursuing him, and
he didn't need healing. Of course, Frodo's situation was just the
opposite.
Additionally, in The Hobbit Rivendell was just a stop along the way and didn't
change the course of Bilbo's journey. In LOTR however, Rivendell was a
pivotal point not only tying the first part of the story to what happened
later, but actually changing the entire course of the journey. In other
words, I think the Rivendell of The Hobbit more matched Tolkien's first
definition, and the Rivendell of LOTR matched the second.
2) Did you think it strange that Frodo was left to fend for himself in an
unfamiliar social situation? The first time I read it, yes. Now I
think it's just how things were done there. It was a place of reflection
where people were allowed some solitude; no one was expected or required to
look after anyone, or be looked after.
3) Are we seeing a hint here that the Dwarves are also fading? As
someone else said, I got the impression they were doing quite well. So
'no' to fading, but 'yes' to being threatened by the same shadow that was
threatening the rest of
ME.
"I don't suffer from insanity...I enjoy every minute of it!"
