Burglary, Pockets and the Hobbit

[Maedhros]

It's very interesting the way that the Hobbit revolves about pockets.
So he stood and hesitated in the shadows. Of the various burglarious proceedings he had heard of picking the trolls' pockets seemed the least difficult, so at last he crept behind a tree just behind William.
Bert and Tom went off to the barrel. William was having another drink. Then Bilbo plucked up courage and put his little hand in William's enormous pocket.
Well, you could say that Bilbo had to do that because he was a "burglar" after all (supposedly), but what about the ring.
"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.
"Not fair! not fair!" he hissed. "It isn't fair, my precious, is it, to ask us what it's got in its nassty little pocketses?"
Interesting to note that the most important artifact in ME lay in Bilbo's pocket.
I wonder, Bilbo's pocket and the fact that he was a burglar that pick pockets. A coincidence or not? I mean, after all:
"What's a burrahobbit got to do with my pocket, anyways?"
Che pensi tu?

[Bonos-Girl]

thats really weird maybe tolkien had a small obsession with pockets....

[Bawax]

maybe tolkien puts his hands in his pockets for inspiration or perhaps just to pass the time? (don't ask me why :angel: )

[Bonos-Girl]

..best not to i think....

[Mirkgirl]

tsk tsk tsk I should chase you two back to topic!

Well I've read somewhere that you can understand a lot about what person keeps in their pockets... because that's probably either what they use/need 24/7 or something they thought precious for the moment and then forgot. The trolls pockets can represent the first and Bilbo's riddle the second.
Talking about pockets, I'd think of another use of pocket in the Hobbit - pocket-handkerchief - the thing that represents the home Bilbo leaves behind. The hankerchief is replaced by the ring in a way. The previous Bilbo would have had a hankerchief in his pocket, which represents the peaceful home, the new Bilbo has a ring which represents adventures.
The both times Bilbo decides to make something on his own, his first and his last 'adventure' includes a pocket. The trolls pocket which gains him the respect of the dwarves and the last (the Arkenstone which goes to his deepest pocket) prevented a battle between dwarves, men and elves which would give the victory to the goblins.

[Bonos-Girl]

thats cool...but what if that person doesn't have any pockets....if you took what i wear at school it means that i think that postcards free rfom the library are important..and tissue..and lolly sticks..and ranbdom pieces of paper......

[Mirkgirl]

okay that wont work... guess Ill just have to live with this thread off-topic... well half topic as its about pockets after all :p

Anyone want to comment about the Hobbit and make my day ;)

[Bonos-Girl]

i agree that pockets feature strongly in the storyline of the hobbit...is that ok? lol

[Mirkgirl]

Enough to keep me alive lol

[Bonos-Girl]

thank god for that! lol

[Ludibunda]

Pants pockets, coat pockets, pocket on a string.
Our pockets conceal most anything.
A treasured note from you to me.
Hands don't have to dangle free.
Many pockets carry cash.
Some people pocket trash
Have you a locket in your pocket?
What's in there?

[Mocha]

:mmmm: I sure hope that I did not skip that poem as I read the LOTR and The Hobbit....

[Mirkgirl]

lol no

[Alatar]

that was a cool poemlol

[Bonos-Girl]

that was an..erm..interesting poem! lol

[Ludibunda]

I was inspired - but I still can't write poetry - oh well
Somehow this thread reminds me of the Artful Dogdger in Oliver Twist--hmmm
Are we not still into pockets with our hunter jackets and cargo pants? Checking the pockets before laundering is a nightmare anymore. At least they didn't seem to wash anything in the LOTR or the HOBBIT I suppose - just burgled, sneaking things out and tucking them away. Funny theme!

[Trahald]

To wonder slightly off topic, has anyone ever thought to wonder how odd it seems that trolls should even HAVE pockets.. or Gollum either for that matter.

Makes it even more quaint.

The thought of it.. Gollum blooming around in that dank lair for five centuries in soggy trousers.. never mind the fact that there's nobody to be modest for in such a dark place, and never mind the fact that there's no real reason for Gollum to have pocketses. He never wanders too far from that island, and all he needs is there save for the Ring.

Okay..so suppose you are Gollum. You have to have a secondary place to store your Precious when it's not in use. You could

A) Use a bit of Goblin-hair woven to fashion yourself a niiice lanyard to go round your neck to hold the Ring..or

B) find your needle and thread..and thimble..and a bolt of khaki brush demin and sew yourself a snazzy pair of cargo pants.