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Similes
Chapter 15: The Gathering Storm
Explanation and Analysis—Eat Your Gold:
In Chapter 15, the men of the lake demand that Thorin share some of the treasure with Bard; it is only fair, they argue, given that Bard slayed Smaug. Thorin furiously shoots an arrow back at the messenger, who fires back with verbal and situational irony:
“Since such is your answer,” he called in return, “I declare the Mountain besieged. You shall not depart from it, until you call on your side for a truce and a parley. We will bear no weapons against you, but we leave you to your gold. You may eat that, if you will!”
Related Themes:
Chapter 18: The Return Journey
Explanation and Analysis—Invisibility's Drawbacks:
Bilbo finds immense power in the discovery that he can put on Gollum's ring and become invisible, creating dramatic irony whenever he needs it. In Chapter 18, when Bilbo wakes up on the battlefield, he finds that his weaponized dramatic irony has given rise to a situation that is ironic in its own right:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Suddenly he was aware of a man climbing up and coming towards him. “Hullo there!” he called with a shaky voice.
“Hullo there! What news?”
“What voice is it that speaks among the stones?” said the man halting and peering about him not far from where Bilbo sat.
Then Bilbo remembered his ring! “Well I’m blessed!” said he. “This invisibility has its drawbacks after all. Otherwise I suppose I might have spent a warm and comfortable night in bed!”
Related Themes:
Chapter 19: The Last Stage
Explanation and Analysis—Bilbo and Thorin Go Home:
When Bilbo arrives back at home after a year away, he finds that he has been presumed dead and that his house is being looted. The situational irony—he is forced to buy many of his own belongings back—reinforces Bilbo and Thorin's status as foils:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The return of Mr. Bilbo Baggins created quite a disturbance, both under the Hill and over the Hill, and across the Water; it was a great deal more than a nine days’ wonder. The legal bother, indeed, lasted for years. It was quite a long time before Mr. Baggins was in fact admitted to be alive again. The people who had got specially good bargains at the Sale took a deal of convincing; and in the end to save time Bilbo had to buy back quite a lot of his own furniture.
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