Chapter 5 picks up immediately after Chapter 4 ends. Bilbo wanders through some tunnels and meets Gollum, an odd creature that lives beneath the goblins' mountain. Gollum (who is tired of eating blind fish and the occasional goblin) is determined to snack on Bilbo. Bilbo also found a ring earlier in the chapter, and it allows him to turn invisible. Bilbo avoids being Gollum's dinner, sneaks by some goblins, and escapes.
Chapter 5 was suspenseful to say the least. The riddle game was an important part of the chapter, partly because it keeps the suspense going, but mostly because it gives us a view of the culture of the universe in which the book is set. Apparently, mental challenges are a major part of this culture. I liked it very much, namely because of the riddles. I like mind games. I had pity for Gollum.
Bilbo is on the "Tests, Enemies, and Allies" stage of the Hero's Journey. Gollum is a powerful foe, and since Bilbo has no way of physically fighting this insane creature, he decides to use his wits. He wins a riddle game by dumb luck when Gollum stumps him on the final riddle (the answer to which is "Time", and Bilbo pleads "Give me more time!"), and he leaps over Gollum while invisible. He has just passed a very important test.
In Chapter 6, Bilbo finds everyone else and sneaks up on them by using the ring he found. After a happy reunion, they keep on travelling until a rockslide blocks the path. Then, some wolves appear, causing Bilbo and company to climb some trees. Gandalf tosses some burning pinecones at wolves, the goblins set fire to the area near the trees, and all seems lost. However, some eagles rescue our heroes. The chapter ends with everyone safe and sound.
Chapter 6 thrilled me with the action. The incident with the wolves, the timely rescue, and the entire scene where everyone is up the nearest convient tree makes this chapter one of my personal favorites.
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