By Jenna, Rikio, Annie, Madison, Sammy and Alex
McElroy, Jenna
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:04:11 PM PT
00:16:cb:cb:74:fa
Distilled Page
The distilled page shows a picture of two paper-chain dolls attached at the hands.
They appear to be polar opposites of each other - the doll on the left is very neat with
tidy clothes (including a pocket square) and a clean, somber face, while the doll on the
right seems almost manic in its sheer disarray of outward appearance. The doll on the
right has torn clothes, wildly untamed hair, a knife tucked into its belt, and a ring on a
string around its neck with a wide smile on its face. The title of the book (The Hobbit)
appears in lower case above the dolls’ joined hands, while the author’s name (J.R.R.
Tolkien) appears in all capitals below the dolls’ joined hands.
The paper doll represents Bilbo. the side on the left represents Bilbo before his
adventure because it is very neat and put together and mostly reserved because it has
no flashy details. The Tookish part is represented through the brightly colored
handkerchief in his breast pocket and it is hidden because he repressed it to fit in. He
is not smiling because Bilbo was only content with himself before his adventure. His
shirt is blue because it represents his mild disposition. The doll on the right
represents Bilbo after his adventure because the doll on the right is very wild looking.
His clothes are torn and his hair is unkempt and he is smiling because even though he
came back looser and lost all his friends in the shire, he was much happier being
estranged from the hobbits and friends with the dwarves than with the friends he was
before. There is a knife in his belt because it shows that he came back a burglar and
far more in touch with his Took side, and the ring is around his neck because it shows
how dependent he became on it through his adventure. The title of the book is
lowercase and in blue to show that Bilbo was still the same humble hobbit throughout
the entire book.
McElroy, Jenna
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:04:11 PM PT
00:16:cb:cb:74:fa
Table of Contents
Article
Page #
Theme Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Author Biography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Connector/Investigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Character . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
McElroy, Jenna
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:04:11 PM PT
00:16:cb:cb:74:fa
Theme Statements
When faced with adversary, you must find the courage within
yourself to overcome it.
You will never know your full abilities until you step outside of
your comfort zone.
When using teamwork, a group must have faith, trust and
confidence in one another to achieve a common goal
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McElroy, Jenna
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:04:11 PM PT
00:16:cb:cb:74:fa
Author Biography
J.R.R Tolkien (John Ronald Reuel Tolkien) January 3, 1892 -- September 2 1973
Early:
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (J.R.R Tolkien or "Ronald") was born on January 3rd, 1892 in Bloemfontein
South Africa. His memory of Africa was small as his family left in 1896 after his father died. He grew-up
in and around the poverty of Birmingham, England. So most of his young childhood memories are of the
West Midlands.
Ronald, His mother, and his brother all moved to Kings Heath when Ronald started at the King Edward's
School. Soon after they moved to Edgbaston, a Birmingham Subarb. During all of this moving Ronald
and his mother had found god and both started down the path of devot Catholic's.
Ronald's mother, Mabel Tolkien, died November 14, 1904 of diabetes. Mable left behind her two
orphaned sons. Father Francis became the boy's tutor and mentor though they moved in with their aunt
Beatrice. He continued schooling at Kind Edwards but moved into the Mrs. Faulkner Boarding house
after a short time with Beatrice. The Boarding house is where Ronald met his future wife Edith Bratt.
Adult:
World War I broke out in 1914, and most people Ronalds age were enlisting. However in 1915 Ronald
applyed for a delayed deploment to finish his degree. He deployed out to france june 4, 1916, only
months after taking Edith to be his wife. 1917-1918 Ronald jumped between hospitals on duety as his
case of trench fever continued returning. Around this same time Edith gave birth to the Tolkien's first
child--and three more in later years.
Tolkien also served for a brief time in World War II as a codebreaker.
McElroy, Jenna
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:04:11 PM PT
00:16:cb:cb:74:fa
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Author Biography (cont.)
Writing:
After the wars Ronald took up a job at Oxford English Dictionary but in 1920
moved to work at the University of Leeds as a reader. Whilst working at
Leeds Tolkien produced A Middle English Vocabulary and Sir Gawain and the
Green Knight and translated Sir Gawain, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo. Ronald went
back to work at Oxford in 1925 and studied at Pembroke College. There he
wrote The Hobbit (or There and Back Again) and the first 2 volumes of The
Lord of the Rings--the trilogy wasn't completelyy finished untill 1948. (During
this time he also finished alot of lesser works)
Themes:
Much of Tolkiens insperation for The Hobbit came from his job at the time.
Tolkien was working at oxforb reading through ancient texts like Beowolf. The
importance of family and family linage are shown very prominantly through
this book, which is something that was also very important in older texts.
Heroism is also very important in the book and is one of Bilbo's
characteristics discovered on his journey. Heroism is something Tolkien had
to find on his "Journey" in World War I and II.
McElroy, Jenna
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:04:11 PM PT
00:16:cb:cb:74:fa
3
Connector/Investigator
The hobbit has a lot of its ideas and content taken from Norse Mythology. Some examples of this
are the names of the characters in the book. The names of the dwarves are named in the Voluspa
(the story about how the earth was created), and J.R.R Tolkien used these names in his book The
Hobbit. These names are Dwalin, Bombur, Fili, Kili and so on. Another name that is taken is
Gandalf, -which literally translated into English means "magic-elf"- is also the name of one of the
dvergar in the Voluspa. This is different because Gandalf is modeled on the Norse god Odin. The
mythical god Odin- when he is reincarnated into “the wanderer”- is an old man with one eye, who
has a long white beard, a large wide brimmed white hat, and a very long wooden staff. Where
everyone in the story lives and the name of the world is “Middle-Earth”. In Norse Mythology
“Middle-Earth” is the land where the Human race lives.
In Norse Mythology they value three things above all else in their lives. They value courage.
Courage is a large part in Norse Mythology because without courage you would not be able to
do most of the dangerous tasks, and you wouldn’t bring honor to yourself and your family.
They value honesty. Without honesty you are a petty liar who can’t be trusted by anyone. If
you can’t be trusted then you will bring dishonor to your family and yourself. And finally
people in Norse Mythology value dying in battle. If you do not die in battle you go to
Niflheim – the land of the dead. If you are evil you go to Hell, which has many similarities to
what we know as Hell. But when you die in battle in Norse Mythology you go to the magical
place called Valhalla. Valhalla is a land in heaven where violence, feasting, and jubilance
rules. Everyone outside of the main hall is always fighting and in war, yet when you get hurt
all of your wounds are magically healed so you can keep fighting ‘till your hearts content.
When people in Valhalla are not fighting, they are in the hall feasting great quantities of food.
McElroy, Jenna
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:04:11 PM PT
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Connector/Investigator (cont.)
These values are shown in J.R.R Tolkien’s book The Hobbit in
every chapter. Courage is shown all through the book (which is also
the main point of our theme). Bilbo Baggins always has to
overcome adversities and battles of wit and body in which he has to
have huge amounts of courage to do. When he was in Gollum’s
cave and was faced with getting killed, robbed, and eaten, he didn’t
waver in his riddle challenge and didn’t show fear or weakness.
When he went to give Thorin’s Arkenstone to the Elvenking and
Bard, he had to betray his comrades so he could do what was best
for everyone both elves and dwarves. Bilbo follows these values to
the bone perfectly except for the value of dying in battle. The
people who follow the value of dying in battle are the dwarves.
This makes more sense because of how the dwarves are actually
taken from Norse Mythology unlike Bilbo who was not. And
finally honesty is shown in Bilbo and Gandalf the most through the
story. They are always telling each other the truth and always
believing in each other no matter what the hardships are.
McElroy, Jenna
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:04:11 PM PT
00:16:cb:cb:74:fa
5
Plot
In The Hobbit, the central theme was, “When a person faces adversity, they must find courage
within themselves to overcome it.” The plot helps to convey this message in subtle and obvious
ways. In the story, the challenges gradually increase in intensity. Bilbo’s ability to handle these
situations shows how he grows emotionally. The different types of conflict, like character versus
character, for example when Gandalf brings the dwarves into Bilbo’s house and when Bilbo
verbally battles Gollum; character versus setting, specifically when Bilbo is traveling through
Mirkwood forest; and character versus self, for instance when he gives away the Arkenstone.
The first encounter of adversity is when Gandalf shows up with the dwarves. Gandalf thrusts the
responsibility of becoming a burglar for thirteen dwarves he has never met before. Bilbo is
frightened at the thought of such a perilous journey to slay a dragon and recover stolen treasure
that isn’t even part of his affairs! The type of conflict in this example is character versus
character. Bilbo doesn’t know how to react to the strangers in his house. However, Bilbo musters
up courage that Gandalf knows he has in him and sets out on the dangerous quest.
Another example of how this theme continues throughout the book is when Bilbo is captured by
the goblins. After getting separated from the dwarves, he finds a magic ring and encounters a
creature named Gollum who wants to eat Bilbo. Bilbo’s courage shows up in the form of
cleverness when he plays the riddle game with Gollum. Bilbo wins the game. Bravely, he then
escapes the goblins’ layer and returns to his friends the dwarves. Meeting Gollum is an example
of character versus character too.
McElroy, Jenna
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:04:11 PM PT
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Plot (cont.)
The next stage of Bilbo’s next adventure takes him to the forest of Mirkwood. He wanders off the trail and
wakes up to find an enormous man-eating spider preparing him for his meal. Quickly, he draws out his
sword and faces the spider. This shows how courage emerges when he is in a dangerous situation. In search
of the other dwarves, Bilbo explores the forest and finds them hanging off of a tree branch… about to be
eaten by a whole colony of gigantic spiders! Fending off spiders proves that Bilbo’s courage transpires
when others are in danger, not just himself, therefore he is able to save his friends. The character versus
setting shows how he is improving his courageous actions.
Giving away the Arkenstone is the final example of the central theme. Although Bilbo knows how the
dwarves, especially Thorin, will react when they discover his action, he continues in spite of the fact it is not
even his to give away. This is an example of Character versus self because Bilbo is debating between
himself whether he should do this or not. The reason he carries out the action is because he believes it is the
right thing to do. Fortunately, it works out in favor of Bilbo and the other dwarves. It unites them with the
Wood-elves and the men of Lakewood so they can battle the goblins and the wargs.
Bilbo’s immense courage builds up throughout the story and evolves to the point where he is not only
courageous when he faces adversity, but when others are in need, he is able to come to their aid. The types
of conflict show how Bilbo’s courage grows throughout the story. The character versus character events are
the beginning for Bilbo’s journey where his courage has not yet fully developed. Character versus setting
shows Bilbo’s improvement. Finally, character versus self shows Bilbo’s final accomplishment. The author
uses Bilbo to teach the readers that when a person faces adversity, they must find courage within themselves
to overcome it.
McElroy, Jenna
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:04:11 PM PT
00:16:cb:cb:74:fa
7
Setting
The setting of The Hobbit is almost as important as the plot itself. The Hobbit
is a mythical adventure, and through setting the author, JRR Tolkien, is able to
convey his fantasy land and the theme of adventure fostering personal growth.
The story begins at the Hill, in the Hobbit hole of Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo has
lived a warm, comfortable life in his predictable, cozy home. The arrival of the
band of Dwarves and Gandalf the Wizard completely changes his mild
existence. Bilbo is persuaded to come along. He is taken from his dull life and
thrust into a treacherous adventure. As the journey progresses, Bilbo is taken
further and further away from his beloved Hobbit hole into a treacherous world
he has never seen before. The setting follows, as the landscape becomes
harsher, and all hints of the familiar grassy shire are long gone. One specific
example of setting contributing to the theme of adventure promoting personal
growth is Bilbo’s clever navigation through the caverns of the Goblins. Though
it was dark and mysterious, using his wit, he was able to escape. By being
able to interact with the setting and overcome it, Bilbo grew as a person and in
the eyes of his comrades.
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McElroy, Jenna
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:04:11 PM PT
00:16:cb:cb:74:fa
Setting (cont.)
In another example, later in the story, while trying to navigate the dark woods
of Mirkwood, the band of Dwarves is captured by the Wood Elves, leaving Bilbo
behind. Bilbo is able to cleverly sneak into the castle behind the band of
captives shortly after they are thrown into the dungeon. He navigates the great
castle in order to find his dwarf friends and helps them to escape. Once again,
Bilbo’s interaction with the setting helps him become a stronger, braver
person. In a final example of the way in which the setting conveys theme,
while walking down the great tunnel to the dragon Smaug, Bilbo becomes
frightened of his surroundings. But with his newfound confidence he is able to
overcome his fear and confront the horrible dragon.
In conclusion, the setting helps progress the story of Bilbo from a plain, fat
Hobbit into a brave, cunning burglar. Bilbo must face and overcome harsh,
unknown environments, and through these exciting exploits, he is able to
grow. Most importantly, J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterful use of setting to convey the
theme of self-growth through the mastery of adventures, transports the
reader into the story. This helps the reader to feel as if they are actually
accompanying the band of Dwarves and Bilbo, taking part in their exciting
journey and may be the main reason why the Hobbit is one of the best-selling
fantasy novels of all time.
McElroy, Jenna
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:04:11 PM PT
00:16:cb:cb:74:fa
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Character
Bilbo –
Bilbo is the protagonist of the book, and he started out as a boring hobbit that
never took any risks. By the end of the book, Bilbo was much more
adventurous and had learned more about the world around him. Plus, he also
made some new friends.
Gandalf –
Gandalf is like the groups guide, and comes in to help them, but he wanted
Bilbo and the rest of the group to do it by themselves, so he only stepped in to
help if it was absolutely necessary. Gandalf didn’t really change throughout
the book; he was just the really powerful wizard/guide the whole time.
Thorin –
Thorin is the leader when Gandalf isn’t around (which is most of the time) and
he only changed a little bit throughout the book. At first he wasn’t very
accepting of Bilbo, but he gave him a chance, and Bilbo earned his trust by
repeatedly helping the group out of sticky situations. After that, he seemed like
a nice and respectable person.
McElroy, Jenna
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:04:11 PM PT
00:16:cb:cb:74:fa
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Character (cont.)
Smaug –
Smaug is the antagonist, because the whole point of the story was for Bilbo and the rest of his
group to kill Smaug and take back their treasure. Smaug was a total jerk the whole book; all he
did was steal from people and burn down villages.
Beorn –
Beorn was very helpful throughout the book, when he was first introduced he gave Bilbo and
the others shelter, and then helped them get to the forest. In the end of the book, he also comes
to their aid when they are fighting the army of goblins. If it weren’t for him and the eagles,
Bilbo’s team probably would have lost.
Bard –
Bard is a small but very significant character in this book. He was only in the book at the end,
but he was the one that shot Smaug in the heart and killed him when he was attacking Lake
Town. He was also the one that Bilbo gave the Arkenstone to use for his negotiations with
Thorin.
The Eagles –
The eagles assist Bilbo’s group a few times, like when they were being chased by goblins and
wargs, and were forced to climb up a tree. Right before they took their final stand, the eagles
came in and saved the day. The eagles also came in when Bilbo’s friends were fighting a losing
war against golbins and wargs, saving the day.
McElroy, Jenna
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:04:11 PM PT
00:16:cb:cb:74:fa
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