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From: allison@mitre.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: Tolkien's dwarf names
Message-ID: <3444@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU>
Date: Wed, 28-Aug-85 08:42:30 EDT
Article-I.D.: topaz.3444
Posted: Wed Aug 28 08:42:30 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 30-Aug-85 01:18:42 EDT
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Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
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From: Burgess Allison <allison@mitre.ARPA>

    
>Funny thing ... each time I read "The Hobbit" it seems that the
>dwarf names are silly and invented for their alliteration and
>rhyming.
    
The first few times I read the Hobbit I had no idea this was going on,
but when I recently read the Hobbit to my 3-1/2 year-old daughter --
out loud -- I found out that the book is *particularly* well suited to
that type of reading, and exceptionally well suited for reading to
children.
    
The book is broken into fairly discreet 15-30 minute reading segments
(if you're reading out loud to a child).  The names and words and
descriptions are a fascinating combination of alliteration, verbal
whimsy, and (in a few instances of what seem sheer spitefulness)
tongue twisters.  The concepts and conflicts presented in the Hobbit
are also well within the ken of even *very* young children.
    
My daughter enjoyed it, got a lot out of it, remembers it, and
(I suspect) will get more and more out of it when she reads it again --
on her own.  I have no doubt that the dwarf names were, indeed, invented
for their alliteration and rhyming.  And I, for one, can see why it
was done that way.
    
Burgess Allison
<allison@mitre>