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Home , Beorn, Enchanted forest, Gollum, Wizards (Middle-earth)

Selection Review #1

The Hobbit Chapters 1-3

1. What are the two sides of Bilbo’s personality? What role do these two sides play in his feelings about the dwarves’ adventure? The two sides of Bilbo’s personality come from the two sides of his family, the Tooks and the Bagginses. His Baggins side is very ordinary, re- spectable and predictable. It likes things to be orderly and comfortable. However, the Took side of Bilbo’s personality is more mysterious, daring, and adventurous. The Baggins side of Bilbo wishes that the dwarves had never come barging into his house with their crazy talk of mountains and dragons. However, his Took side is thrilled with their songs of faraway places. It leads him to decide that he will show the dwarves that he can indeed be a fierce and daring “burglar” when the need arises. 2. Describe the dwarves and tell where they come from. What is their goal? The dwarves are underground craftsmen in precious metals and stone. They once lived with a huge amount of treasure under a Mountain far to the east. A terrible dragon stole their treasure, killed their families, and destroyed the countryside around the Mountain. They are returning to the Moun- tain to take revenge on the dragon and recover the treasure. 3. Who is Gandalf? What is his relationship to the dwarves? What part does he expect Bilbo to play in their plan? Gandalf is a famous, powerful wizard. The dwarves consider him their friend and counselor. They asked him to find a fourteenth person to join them since they think thirteen is unlucky. Bilbo was Gandalf’s choice. Gandalf sees possibilities in Bilbo that he himself is not aware of. He calls Bilbo a “burglar” because he expects Bilbo to cleverly help the dwarves to steal their treasure back. 4. Describe the settings of the first three chapters. In what ways is Bilbo’s world different from our world? In what ways is it similar? The setting of the first chapter is Bilbo Baggins’ comfortable home, a cozy, well-stocked hole in the ground. Most of the second chapter is set in a wild, frightening forest on a dismal, rainy night. The third chapter takes us to the warm, safe home of Elrond in Rivendell, the last place of safety before the Misty Mountains. All of the story is set long, long ago in a fantasy world peopled by such magical beings as dwarves, wizards, elves, trolls, goblins and of course hobbits. The magic makes their world different from ours. However, it is also similar to ours in many ways. The characters’ feelings and be- havior toward one another have all the good and bad moments of relationships between people in the real world. The characters also have to deal with everyday problems, such as dishwashing and gloomy rainy days. Just as natural laws govern our world, their magic also works within definite limits. continued... 88

5. How do Bilbo’s mistakes bring on trouble with the trolls? How are the travelers res- cued? When Bilbo discovers the trolls, he decides to prove his skill as a burglar instead of going back to warn the dwarves of danger. The purse he tries to steal begins to talk and alerts the trolls. Soon the dwarves are all captured and Bilbo is trapped in a tree. Gandalf returns and rescues them by mimicking the trolls’ voices. He keeps them quarrelling amongst themselves until dawn comes and turns them to stone. 6. What important things do the travelers learn at Rivendell? How might these discoveries help them in the future? At Rivendell, the travelers learn that the swords they found in the trolls’ cave are magical swords made to fight goblins. They are glad to hear this since they expect trouble with goblins on their journey. They also learn that there is more secret writing on Thorin’s map. This writing gives them mysterious instructions about how to enter the secret door to the dragon’s cave under the Mountain. 89

Selection Review #2

The Hobbit Chapters 4-6

1. Give examples of some of the onomatopoeic words used to describe the goblins. What do these words suggest about the goblins’ nature? How do the goblins capture Bilbo and the dwarves, and how do the travelers escape from them? The writer describes the goblins using onomatopoeic words like snap, grab, crash, crush, smash, yammering, and jabbering. These words suggest that the goblins are noisy, violent, cruel, and destructive. The goblins open a crack in the back wall of the cave where Bilbo and the dwarves are hiding, and take them all prisoner. The travelers escape when Gandalf, who has been following them, blinds the goblins with a flash from his magic wand. 2. Describe the creature that Bilbo encounters at the underground lake. Why does he want to play a riddle game with Bilbo? How does he react when Bilbo wins the game? When Bilbo reaches the underground lake, he encounters Gollum, a horrible slimy creature that lives on an island and eats fish and young goblins when he can catch them. Gollum offers to play a riddle game with Bilbo because he wants to find out more about him without facing his magical sword. When Bilbo wins, however, he is furious. He decides to put on a magic ring that makes him invisible so that he can kill Bilbo. 3. Why does Bilbo have Gollum’s ring? How does it help him to escape the cave? Why is finding the ring a “turning point” in Bilbo’s career? Bilbo found the ring when he was crawling through the tunnels in the dark. He put it in his pocket and later asked Gollum what was in his pocket to win the riddle game. When Gollum tries to catch Bilbo to kill him, Bilbo slips on the ring and Gollum goes past without seeing him. Bilbo follows Gollum to the goblins’ back door. When the goblins try to catch him, he puts the ring on again and manages to slip out through the crack of the heavy stone door. Finding the ring is a turning point in Bilbo’s career since it will help him to become a good “burglar,” as the dwarves expect him to be. 4. Why doesn’t Bilbo tell the dwarves and Gandalf about finding the magic ring? Why is this disturbing? Bilbo does not tell the others about the magic ring because he enjoys having a secret magical power that they do not know about. He also enjoys making them think that he could escape from Gollum and the goblins thanks to his own cleverness and skill. However, in order to keep up this act Bilbo has to lie to his friends. This dishonesty is disturbing because Bilbo has always been honest in the past. 90

Selection Review #3

The Hobbit Chapters 7-8

1. Why and how does Gandalf take precautions to avoid annoying Beorn? In what ways is Beorn’s point of view both similar to and different from that of the dwarves? How does Beorn help them on their journey? Gandalf is careful not to annoy Beorn because he is a very large, powerful man who can change into an enormous bear when he wants to. Although Beorn is warm-hearted, he has a quick temper. For these reasons Gandalf introduces the party of travelers to him gradually. He warns Bilbo and the dwarves not to mention anything to do with furs in Beorn’s presence because Beorn is a lover of animals. Gandalf also warns the travelers to stay in the house at night, when Beorn is out prowling in the form of a bear. Like the dwarves, Beorn hates evil creatures such as goblins and wolves, but he does not share the dwarves’ love of treasure. However, Beorn helps the travelers on their way by lend- ing them ponies to ride, giving them generous provisions of food and water, and offering them valuable advice. 2. Explain why Bilbo and the dwarves feel so upset when they reach Mirkwood. What warnings were they given about going through the enchanted forest? The travelers feel de- pressed when they reach Mirkwood because it is a place of gloom and death. They are sorry they have to send the borrowed ponies back to Beorn, and Gandalf tells them he is leaving them just as they reach what seems to be the most dangerous part of their journey. The travelers have been warned to stay on the path through the forest at any cost, and not to drink or bathe in the black stream that crosses the path. 3. How does Bombur’s accident at the stream make the travelers’ journey more difficult? Why do they decide to leave the path in spite of Gandalf and Beorn’s warnings? Why is this ironic? When the travelers cross the enchanted stream, Bombur accidentally falls in. He falls into a deep sleep and the other dwarves have to carry or drag him through the forest with them for several days. The travelers decide to leave the path because they are out of food and terribly hungry. Bombur wakes up and tells them he dreamed about a wonderful feast in the forest, so when the dwarves see lights among the branches, they (wrongly) think that Bombur’s dream is coming true. They also believe (mistakenly) that they are far from the forest’s edge because they sent Bilbo up a tree to look, and he reported that the forest went on as far as he could see. The travelers decide to take their chances by leaving the path rather than face starvation by staying on it. The travelers’ decision is ironic because it is based on several badly mistaken ideas. continued... 91

4. List the personal qualities, skills, and magical powers that Bilbo uses to rescue the dwarves from the spiders. How does this change the way Bilbo, and the dwarves, feel about the hobbit’s abilities? In rescuing the dwarves from the spiders, Bilbo shows personal qualities of courage and quick-mindedness. He also uses his skill with words and in throwing stones, along with his magical sword and ring. The rescue gives the dwarves a new appreciation for Bilbo’s resourcefulness and bravery. Bilbo himself begins to feel more and more like a true “burglar.” 5. Explain why the elf-king imprisons Thorin in his dungeon. Why is this ironic?The elf- king imprisons Thorin because he considers dwarves his enemies. He is also suspicious because Thorin, who does not want to share any of the treasure with the elves, refuses to explain what the dwarves were doing in the forest. This is ironic because the travelers suc- cessfully escaped evil creatures such as giant spiders. However, because of greed and pride, Thorin has become a prisoner of the elves, who are basically good. 92

Selection Review #4

The Hobbit Chapters 9-12

1. Describe Bilbo’s life in the Elvenking’s palace. How does he use the information he learns to help the dwarves escape? Bilbo uses his magic ring most of the time that he is in the Elvenking’s palace. He remains invisible and wanders around, learning where the dwarves (including Thorin) are imprisoned. He also learns about the trapdoor under the cel- lar of the palace where the elves receive barrels of good from the men at the Lake-town down the river. Bilbo helps the dwarves escape by packing them into the empty barrels that are being sent back down the river to Lake-town. 2. Describe Lake-town. Tell about its history and present situation. Lake-town is a town built on wooden pilings out over the waters of the lake itself. It is connected to the shore by a long bridge. Many years ago, before the coming of the dragon, Lake-town was a wealthy port han- dling trade with the dwarves under the Mountain and the town of Dale that was near the Mountain. Lake-town is no longer as prosperous as it was before the destruction of Dale, but it still survives on trade from the south and commerce with the elves. The dragon is seldom seen, and some of the younger people do not really believe it exists. The memory of the old days is kept alive in songs and legends, but many only half believe that these are true. 3. What kind of welcome are the dwarves given at Lake-town? How do the Master of Lake- town and the elf-king feel about the dwarves’ mission to recover the treasure? The dwarves are warmly welcomed in Lake-town, since many of the people believe that the return of dwarves under the Mountain will lead to good times for Lake-town as well. The Mas- ter of Lake-town, however, does not really believe the dwarves’ story. He expects that the dragon will destroy them, but at the same time, he intends to benefit if the dwarves really do recover the treasure. The elf-king also learns what the dwarves’ mission is and plans to have a part of the treasure if they succeed. 4. Why have the dwarves lost their enthusiasm by the time they reach the Mountain? How does Bilbo help them to find the secret door into the Mountain? The dwarves lose their enthusiasm because the Mountain is a grim, barren place. The scorched earth and trees re- mind them of the dragon, and they feel hopeless and discouraged. Bilbo, however, insists that they look for the secret door and that they move their camp there when it is found. He also alerts them when the prophecy of “Durin’s Day” is fulfilled, so they can use the magic key to open the secret tunnel. continued... 93

5. How does Bilbo show his courage, intelligence, and leadership after the secret door is opened? What possible mistakes does he make? After the secret door is opened, Bilbo courageously goes into the heart of the Mountain to find the treasure. He also shows courage, intelligence, and leadership when he tells the dwarves to hide in the passageway when Smaug comes out of the Mountain. Bilbo again shows courage and intelligence when he goes back down the passage to spy on Smaug and exchanges riddles and flattery with the dragon. Finally, Bilbo once more exercises leadership when he insists that the dwarves close the door to the passageway only moments before Smaug attacks the moun- tainside. One possible mistake that Bilbo makes is stealing the two-handled cup, because this act angers Smaug and alerts him to the fact that his enemies are close by. Another possible mistake occurs when Bilbo calls himself a Barrel-rider. This draws the dragon’s attention and anger to the Lake-town. Finally, Bilbo makes the mistake of letting the dragon make him mistrust his fellow travelers, the dwarves. 94

Selection Review #5

The Hobbit Chapters 13-19

1. How does Smaug punish the people of Lake-town for helping the dwarves? How does Bard help to save the townspeople? Smaug flies over and sets fire to the town. Bard sees him coming and warns the townspeople so that most of them escape, though some die later. He also leads the archers who shoot at Smaug. As a descendant of the ancient lords of Dale, he understands the old thrush. He shoots Smaug in the open spot on his chest, killing him. He leads efforts to rebuild the town, and sends to the elves for help. 2. Why does Bard believe Thorin should share part of the treasure with him and the other townspeople? Why does Thorin refuse to do so? Bard wants Thorin to share the treasure for several reasons. First, it was Bard who killed the dragon. Second, part of the treasure was stolen from Bard’s ancestors, the lords of Dale, long ago. Third, when the dwarves stirred up Smaug’s anger, the lake people suffered terribly. Fourth, the lake people were very kind to the dwarves when they first came. Thorin, however, accepts no responsibility for Smaug’s destructive acts. He refuses to negotiate with armed men, or with anyone if the elves are present. Thorin is driven by pride and greed for the treasure. 3. Why does Bilbo feel guilty about taking the Arkenstone? How does he try to use it to avoid war between the dwarves, elves, and men? Why is this effort unsuccessful? Bilbo feels guilty about taking the Arkenstone because he took it sneakily. He knew that it was part of Thorin’s heritage and very precious to him. Bilbo tries to make the best of the situation by giving the Arkenstone to Bard for his negotiations with Thorin. He hopes this will help avoid bloodshed. Bilbo has good intentions, but Thorin is furious that he took the stone. Al- though he makes a bargain with Bard, he does not plan to keep it. He hopes to recover the stone by force when his cousin Dain and 500 warrior dwarves arrive. 4. How does the goblins’ arrival lead the dwarves, men, and elves to make peace? How does this battle bring out the best in Thorin? Whose help finally brings about a victory? When the goblins appear, the dwarves, men, and elves realize that their quarrel over the treasure is unimportant compared to this evil threat. They join forces to fight the goblins and wolves. Thorin shows great courage and leadership. However, the forces of good are about to lose the battle when the Eagles come. Thanks to the Eagles’ help and that of Beorn, the goblins and wolves are finally destroyed or driven away. continued... 95

5. How does the great battle change Thorin’s attitude and that of the other heroes? How does this change reflect the themes of the novel? After the battle, Thorin is about to die. He apologizes to Bilbo and admits that the love of treasure can be dangerous. The other dwarves, men, and elves are content with their share and want to make sure that the others receive their part. This change reflects several themes of the novel. One is that evil is not only outside of us, but inside us as well. Another theme is that the love of riches and beautiful things can be a dangerous trap. A third theme is that material wealth is of little importance compared to the riches of friendship, loyalty, and hospitality. 6. How do you know that The Hobbit is a work of fantasy? Fantasy is fiction based on pure imagination. It may include an imaginary setting, imaginary creatures, and magical events. The setting of The Hobbit is a mythical, imaginary world called Middle Earth. Hobbits, dwarves, elves, wizards, trolls, goblins and dragons are all imaginary creatures. Many have magical powers and abilities. Examples include a magic wand, a ring that makes people invisible, the ability to change into a bear, and the ability to fly and breathe fire. These facts clearly show that The Hobbit is a work of fantasy. 96 Name:

Literature Test #1

The Hobbit

Chapters 1–3

1. Contrast the Baggins and the Took sides of Bilbo’s personality. How do these two sides con- tribute to his mixed feelings about joining the dwarves’ adventure?

2. Why do the dwarves want to return to the Mountain? What roles are Gandalf and Bilbo ex- pected to play in their plan?

continued... 97

3. List two important things that the dwarves learn at Rivendell. How will these discoveries help them in their adventure?

4. How do the settings of the first three chapters differ from one another? Compare and contrast Tolkien’s fantasy world with our real, everyday world. 98 Name:

Literature Test #2

The Hobbit

Chapters 4-6

1. What are onomatopoeic words? How does the use of onomatopoeia help us understand what the goblins are like? Give some examples.

2. Describe Gollum and his way of life. Why does he invite Bilbo to play a riddle game with him? Why does he become angry at the end of the game?

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3. What is special about the ring Bilbo found in the tunnel? How does it help him escape from the cave? What is wrong with the way Bilbo describes his escape to Gandalf and the dwarves?

4. Why does Gandalf throw burning pine cones at the wolves? How do the goblins turn the situation to their own advantage? Describe the travelers’ last-minute rescue. 100

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Literature Test #3

The Hobbit

Chapters 7-8

1. Describe Beorn. In the Venn diagram below, show differences and similarities between Beorn’s concerns and the concerns of the dwarves.

Dwarves Beorn Both ______

2. What warnings do the travelers receive about going through Mirkwood? Which warning do they decide to ignore, and why? Explain why this is ironic.

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3. Bilbo uses personal as well as magical resources to rescue the dwarves from the giant spiders. List any four qualities, skills, or powers that he uses in this rescue. Explain how the rescue affects the dwarves’ opinion of Bilbo.

4. Explain why Thorin is imprisoned in the elves’ dungeon. Why is this ironic? 102

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Literature Test #4

The Hobbit

Chapters 9-12

1. Explain how Bilbo helps the dwarves escape from the elf-king.

2. Describe the welcome the dwarves receive from the people of Lake-town. What are the true feelings of the Master of Lake-town about the dwarves and their mission?

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3. What qualities in Bilbo make the dwarves begin to look to him for direction? List at least three specific instances in which Bilbo shows one or more of these qualities.

4. Describe one mistake or possible mistake that Bilbo makes in his dialogue with the dragon, Smaug. What negative consequences do you think this mistake might have? 104

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Literature Test #5

The Hobbit

Chapters 13-19

1. Describe Bard’s efforts to save the town from Smaug’s attack. How successful is he? Explain.

2. Give at least two reasons why Bard feels that the dwarves should share a part of the treasure. What are the real reasons behind Thorin’s refusal to do so?

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3. Explain why it was wrong for Bilbo to take the Arkenstone, how he tries to make it right, and why this effort does not succeed.

4. How does the goblins’ attack change the attitude of the dwarves, men, and elves, toward one another and toward the treasure? What change does the battle bring about in Thorin?

5. List at least two typical characteristics of fantasy, and show how they are found in The Hob- bit. 106

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Vocabulary Test #1

The Hobbit Chapters 1–3