Barrels: the Role of Natural Objects in World-building, Plot Progression

            In regards to natural and unnatural (or both) items in Tolkien’s works, what intrigues me the most is decidedly the former. Magic and magical items play a large role to be sure; however, seemingly normal items can subtly establish world-building and simultaneously advance the plot all at once. One interesting example is a humble wooden item that is essentially Chekhov’s gun, though in this case it is more Chekhov’s barrel. Obviously, from the start of their introduction in Chapter 9 of The Hobbit the barrels serve an important purpose – allowing the escape of the dwarves and Bilbo from the elves. However, the barrels also contribute a substantial amount of world-building. These barrels hold wine from other elven lands and Dorwinion to be sure (164), but they also are known to hold “other stuffs, butter, apples, and all sorts of things, to the king’s palace” (166). Through describing the barrels, the reader learns that the elves must trade for many consumables and thus rely on the river for said trade. This adds a lot of realism to Tolkien’s story; before the advent of industrialization waterways were crucial in trade around the world (of course, this only makes the inner world-builder in me wonder how this transport system operates in winter).

           
            In addition to this, the physics of the barrels themselves aid in advancing the plot as the party reaches the Lonely Mountain. Thankfully, Tolkien excellently describes the physical repercussions of Archimedes principle, which leads to great hilarity from Bilbo’s initial attempts at riding the barrel: “Every time he tried, the barrel rolled a round and ducked him under again” (170). Of course, this barrel-riding not only provides comic relief, but also leads to dire consequences when Bilbo names himself “Barrel-Rider” whilst talking to Smaug. Smaug makes the unfortunate connection of barrels to Lake Town and ultimately attacks the town, though it all turns out all right in the end. And to think, all of this world-building and plot progression from a humble, natural thing as a barrel!