The Date of the Long Expected Party: Analyzing Tolkien’s Timeline

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”, the Long Expected Party is a significant event that sets the stage for the epic journey that follows. The party, thrown by Bilbo Baggins to celebrate his 111th birthday, is meticulously planned and prepared for. However, a question arises when considering the timeline Tolkien provides. He mentions that “the end of the second week in September a cart came”, which seems to leave little time for all the preparations listed. So, what exact date was this? Let’s delve into the details and analyze Tolkien’s timeline.

Understanding the Shire Calendar

The first step in deciphering the date of the Long Expected Party is understanding the Shire Calendar. The Shire Calendar is different from our Gregorian calendar. It consists of 12 months, each of 30 days, with five additional days to bring the total to 365. The months are not named the same as ours, but they correspond closely. The second week of September in the Shire Calendar would correspond to the period from 7th to 13th of our September.

The Timeline of the Long Expected Party

Tolkien writes that the cart arrived at the end of the second week of September. This would mean that the cart arrived on or around the 13th of September. However, the actual party does not take place until the 22nd of September, Bilbo’s birthday. This leaves approximately nine days for all the preparations.

Is Nine Days Enough for the Preparations?

Given the scale of the party, nine days might seem insufficient for all the preparations. However, it’s important to remember that Bilbo had been planning this party for a long time. The arrival of the cart likely marked the beginning of the final phase of preparations, not the start of planning. The cart could have been carrying supplies that were needed for the final touches, such as food and drink that couldn’t be prepared too far in advance.

Conclusion

While at first glance the timeline of the Long Expected Party might seem tight, a closer look reveals that it is plausible. The key is understanding the Shire Calendar and remembering that Bilbo was a meticulous planner who had likely been preparing for his party for a long time. The arrival of the cart at the end of the second week of September marked the home stretch of preparations, leading up to the grand event on the 22nd.