h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A great entry about a great novel!

I have enjoyed reading this conversation thread immensely, and hopefully it has been helpful in adding some detail for your entry. However, you're probably wanting to wrap this baby up so that it can be included in the edited guide, and it can only include so much. Inevitably wherever you decide to draw the line, someone will feel that something unfairy missed the cut. That being said, I would still like to see the Eagles and/or Thorondor make the Races and/or Characters lists.

Don

The Eagles are cool, but it might muddle things. These particular Eagles aren't just birds, they are the Heralds of Manwë!

Yeah, I didn't want to make it too complicated....but all suggestions are thanked, I want to get it to the standard where a scout will pick it.....







*waits*





















*waits more*























*taps her foot and waits for the barrage of scouts*














No?

If you think the entry is ready to be picked, I will give it a detailed going over and point out all the spelling mistakes. The last time through was just to check that the basic content was ok. But I won't be able to do it until lunchtime.

I thought we were already picking it.

Thanks Gnomon

to you too

Why, thank you.


*s the bunny*

I loved your article. I did read the plot summary (although I am not inclined towards technical prose) and it is admirably concise. The titles are a little strange, understandable but strange. I am very glad you put in tom, as he seems to have some significance to the author, as he adds so little to the plot. I have read the book(s) at least twice, though not recently, and not the appendices. (technical prose).

I loved your article. I did read the plot summary (although I am not inclined towards technical prose) and it is admirably concise. The titles are a little strange, understandable but strange. I am very glad you put in tom, as he seems to have some significance to the author, as he adds so little to the plot. I have read the book(s) at least twice, though not recently, and not the appendices. (technical prose).

sorry, I messed up.

Glad you liked it

OK, Luthiena. Here are corrections. I know it seems like a lot, but that's the price you pay for writing a long entry.

Some content changes:

You list goblins as different from Orcs. Tolkien explained that he used the term goblins in The Hobbit because it would be familiar to children, but that it is just another name for orc.

I still feel that Merry should not be listed as naive. Of the three of Frodo's friends, he was the one that knew most about what was going on.

The ring is never "offered freely" to Faramir. You should say instead, "refusing to take the Ring even when it is entirely within his power to do so".

Of Isildur, you say "He originally stole the Ring after he gained it in a battle with Sauron, it corrupted his heart and led him to become an evil creature" - this isn't accurate. Isildur never became an evil creature, although he didn't listen to Elrond's advice. I'd say instead, "He gained the Ring in a battle with Sauron, but kept it, not heeding the advice that he should destroy it immediately."

Sauron did not create all the rings. The elven rings were made by Celebrimbor and the other elves of Eregion (the Elvish Kingdom west of Moria). I don't know who made the Dwarf rings and the Man rings.

Sam does not kill Shelob, but hurts her enough that she retreats and doesn't come into the story again.

Typographic changes:

Remove the heading "The Poem". There is no need for a heading at the start. The poem acts as an introduction to entry. There is also no need for the heading "Brief Introduction".

Change the GuideML for the poem at the start. Remove the and from each line. Put after each line (except possibly the last one).

Move the in the first paragraph from where it is, just before THe Lord of the Rings, to the start of the sentence.

renouned --> renowned
also known as Halflings are peaceful --> also known as Halflings, are peaceful
is it quite common --> it is quite common
the ‘gods’ of Middle-Earth, the Illuvatar --> the 'god' of Middle Earth, Iluvatar
some where corrupted --> some were corrupted
foul creatues --> foul creatures
Orcs are foul creatures who were originally made by torturing and corrupting elves --> Orcs are foul creatures who were probably originally made by torturing and corrupting elves
most common form of evil, they are used --> most common form of evil; they are used
it's sole aim --> its sole aim
previous adventure, he handed --> previous adventure; he handed
are to be told in The Hobbit --> are told in The Hobbit
very small, however, as a previous ring-bearer --> very small. However, as a previous ring-bearer
keep him going --> keep him going.
one of the strongest and loyal hearts of all --> one of the strongest and most loyal hearts of all
keeps good to that promise --> keeps good that promise
completing the Quest, he marries --> completing the Quest; he marries
loyal warrior of Gondor, he even grows --> loyal warrior of Gondor. He even grows
power of the ring, he murders --> power of the ring. He murders
the Ring and it's power --> the ring and its power
who question him, he is finally --> who question him. He is finally
to pursue the Ring --> to pursue the Ring.
through it’s many trials --> through its many trials
steward of Gondor, he and his forefathers --> steward of Gondor; he and his forefathers
their possible destiny’s --> their possible destinies
Sauron was originally a Maiar (created as servants of the Valar --> Sauron was originally a Maia (a servant of the Valar
free-people's of Middle Earth --> free-peoples of Middle Earth
the Ringwraiths; who nearly overcome --> the Ringwraiths, who nearly overcome
Caradhas --> Caradhras
'The Fellowship of the Ring' should be a HEADER to match 'The Two Towers' and 'The Return of the King'.
no trace of the hobbits, they search --> no trace of the hobbits. They search
working fro Saruman --> working for Saruman
which Pippin picks up, he then sees --> which Pippin picks up. He then sees
realises he isn't dead after all --> realises Frodo isn't dead after all
at the last moment that Rider of Rohan arrive --> at the last moment the Riders of Rohan arrive
Gollum who, driven mad by his desire for the Ring --> Gollum, driven mad by his desire for the Ring
the pain from his old wound begin to worsen --> the pain from his old wound begins to worsen

Celebrimbor and his elven smiths made all the rings of power, except the One Ring. Sauron helped with all but the Three, so the Seven and the Nine quickly fell under his power when he put on the One. The Three were made by Celebrimbor without Sauron's help (or knowledge, I think), and when he put on the One, the wearers of the three rings saw his purpose, and took their rings off before he could dominate them.

Sauron later gave the Nine to men and the Seven to dwarves, and later still after Sauron lost the One, it was safe for the bearers of the Three to put them on again.

Thanks, Zube!

My, haven't you been busy

All in all, I think the changes are a major improvement.
That being said, let's get on with the nitpicking, shall we?

Gnomon already covered most of it, so these are mainly minor points...

I think you should mention the names of the three volumes in the "Books"-section

Dividing the races into Good and Evil is a good idea, but it kind of leaves Men out in the open. Most fought for Gondor, but many fought for Sauron. You've kind of acknowledged this by saying that they are more easily corrupted than other races, but I'd like it if you'd spell it out a bit more.

The Istari (...) are immortal, only dying when their task is complete. - Are you sure about that? Gandalf was sent back, that's true, but do you think that applies as a general rule?

They don't unusually concern themselves -> usually

Maiar are other servants of the Valar (as explained above with the Istari) - The Istari are also Maiar.

[Orcs] are now the most common form of evil - when is now? At the time of the LotR or now-now?

combining the genetic material of orcs and goblins - A bit too scientific a way to put it in my mind (I'd go for good ole' crossbreeding), but that's your call.

Although these creatures do not feature in The Lord of the Rings - I'm not terribly sure about this, haven't read LotR in English for ages, but isn't it goblins that dwell in Moria?

It is soon apparent that the ring is - Not exactly soon...

his advisor, sent from Saruman - It still isn't clear that this advisor is, in fact, Grima



As I said, your changes have already improved a lot on this, but there's still a bit of work to be done.


cheers
~Bistro

I think the Elves gave all the Rings away, and the only reason the Men fell under his spell is because they crave power. The Dwarves are greedy, so they aren't easily manipulated. I haven't figured out yet wether Sauron takes the Nine back after they become Wraiths or not.

Righto, those changes will either be made today or monday...

*tries to think of some more nit-picking to do*