Text Complexity Analysis of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Quantitative
QualitativeMeasures
Measures
Qualitative Measures
Levels of Meaning/Purpose: This book has multiple meanings and purposes. Set
in a created world, The Hobbit focuses on the quest of Bilbo, a simple hobbit, who
wanted to be allowed to stay that way, but is drawn into the hostile world of dwarves,
orcs, evil spiders, and many other serious dangers. The story can be taken literally,
but also as a commentary on societal issues such as abuse of power.
The Hobbit has a Lexile measure of 1000L. It also is within the text complexity band
between the 6th-8th grades. The complex themes and length of the book would
indicate the higher level reading skills are needed to successfully and fully
understand the material.
Structure: Told from a third-person, omniscient narrator who knows all and even
knows aspects of the characters’ futures, it follows the quest in a chronological order,
but does go into flashbacks to give the background of dwarves and elves.
Language Conventionality and Clarity: The narration is sometimes in more
sophisticated and complex sentence structures. Tolkien uses a lot of imagery,
figurative language, diction, syntax, etc. There is also a lot in the created languages
of the hobbits, dwarves, and elves.
Reader-Task Considerations
Potential Challenges this Text Poses: The created languages can be complicated
for some students to grasp, as well as the deeper meanings attached to the theme of
abuse of power can be hard to grasp in this age group.
Knowledge Demands: There are many themes in the novel such as the theme of
quest that is deepened by the allusion to the search for the Holy Grail. Also, the
theme of uses of power makes students contemplate personal, moral, and ethical
struggles within the novel as well as the Industrial Era.
Recommended Placement
The quantitative measures suggest placement in the 6th-8th grade level text complexity band, the qualitative measures and reader and task considerations
suggest that the novel is best placed at the 6th-8th grade complexity band.