The Hobbit Questions and Answers

The Hobbit

Several notable characters die in The Hobbit. Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the dwarves, perishes in the Battle of the Five Armies. His nephews, Fili and Kili, also die in the same battle while...

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The Hobbit

In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins undergoes significant character development from a comfort-loving hobbit to a brave adventurer. Initially, Bilbo is depicted as a conventional hobbit,...

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The Hobbit

In The Hobbit, Bilbo introduces himself to Smaug using a series of riddles and titles. He calls himself "Barrel-rider," "Luckwearer," "Web-cutter," "Stinging Fly," "Ring-winner," "Clue-finder," and...

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The Hobbit

In The Hobbit, J. R. R. Tolkien uses similes to create vivid imagery. Bilbo Baggins' home has a “perfectly round door like a porthole” and a “tube-shaped hall like a tunnel.” Hobbits move silently...

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The Hobbit

The major conflicts in The Hobbit include external conflicts such as the dwarves and Bilbo versus Smaug, as well as encounters with spiders, trolls, goblins, Gollum, wargs, and adverse weather....

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The Hobbit

Important symbols in The Hobbit include the Arkenstone, representing Thorin's greed and desire for power; the One Ring, symbolizing corruption and the struggle for control; and Sting, Bilbo's sword,...

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The Hobbit

Gandalf leaves Thorin and the company in The Hobbit to allow Bilbo to grow as a hero, as Gandalf's presence often meant instant rescue. His absence forces Bilbo to face challenges alone, such as the...

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The Hobbit

Bilbo reveals Smaug's weak spot by flattering the dragon into showing off his belly. In chapter 12 of The Hobbit, Bilbo uses praise to make Smaug feel invincible, prompting the dragon to roll over...

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The Hobbit

In The Hobbit, Bilbo gives the Arkenstone to Bard and the Elves to help negotiate peace and prevent war between dwarves, men, and elves. Thorin's obsession with the Arkenstone and his greed threaten...

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The Hobbit

A strong thesis for The Hobbit should present an argument, such as analyzing a character or theme. For instance, "Although Bilbo is not initially an ideal hero character, he absolutely becomes worthy...

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The Hobbit

Understanding the source of this change helps us to understand the nature of hobbits. We have seen that although Bilbo is a Hobbit, he certainly has a propensity for adventure and a desire to...

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The Hobbit

Bilbo's decision to go on the adventure is not due to a "fear of being thought cowardly." Rather, Bilbo has something of the Tookish spirit in him, and the dwarves' song about the glories of their...

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The Hobbit

In The Hobbit, the runes on Thror's map provide a crucial clue for entering the Lonely Mountain, where Smaug guards the dwarven treasure. The translation of the runes reads: "Five feet high the door...

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The Hobbit

Bilbo rescues the dwarves in The Hobbit using his wit and the magical ring he found. He first saves them from giant spiders by distracting the creatures and freeing the dwarves from webs. Later, he...

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The Hobbit

After the spider attack in The Hobbit, the dwarves' attitude toward Bilbo changes significantly. They gain a newfound respect for him, recognizing his bravery and resourcefulness in rescuing them....

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The Hobbit

Bilbo's contract with the dwarves outlines that he will receive up to one-fourth of the total profits upon successful completion of the quest, with all travel and potential funeral expenses covered....

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The Hobbit

Bilbo Baggins possesses several skills and abilities that make him an effective member of the Dwarves' expedition. His small stature and quiet movement make him a natural burglar, while his...

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The Hobbit

Beorn advises the group traveling through Mirkwood to avoid drinking or bathing in the enchanted stream that causes deep sleep and to always stay on the path to avoid getting lost. This advice is...

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The Hobbit

In the first chapter, Bilbo does not explicitly ask Gandalf to go on an adventure. Instead, Gandalf cleverly interprets Bilbo's polite excitement about Gandalf's past adventures as a request for one....

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The Hobbit

Gandalf says Bilbo is as fierce as a dragon in a pinch to reassure the dwarves of Bilbo's hidden potential and courage. Gandalf, knowledgeable about hobbits and a keen judge of character, believes in...

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The Hobbit

Bilbo Baggins undergoes significant changes in his character throughout the story. One pivotal event is when he rescues the dwarves from spiders in Chapter 8, showcasing his independence and...

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The Hobbit

Gandalf comes to the home of Bilbo Baggins to convince Bilbo to join the dwarves on their trip to Lonely Mountain to defeat Smaug the dragon. He chooses Bilbo because he believes that he has...

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The Hobbit

Thorin's plan in the first chapter involves reclaiming the lost kingdom of the Lonely Mountain and its vast treasures from the dragon Smaug. As the rightful heir, he intends to use a secret entrance...

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The Hobbit

Bilbo's near betrayal of the dwarves, and his disobeying of Gandalf's instructions are clear examples of an individual acting for the good of all characters. This shows Bilbo's moral courage and has...

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The Hobbit

The Tooks and Bagginses are distinguished by their attitudes toward adventure. The Bagginses are seen as respectable and predictable, embodying a life without surprises or adventures, which aligns...

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The Hobbit

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is rich with fantasy and fairy tale elements that create a captivating world. Fantasy elements include mythical creatures like hobbits, dwarves, goblins, and dragons, as...

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The Hobbit

Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, is about three feet tall, without a beard, and has brown, curly hair and brown eyes. Initially, he is stout but becomes leaner and more muscular by the end of his journey....

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The Hobbit

Bilbo's first attempt at burglarizing is to investigate a fire in the woods. He fails in his attempt to pick a troll's pocket and is captured.

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The Hobbit

The Hobbit is often considered more accessible for children due to its lighter tone and simpler reading level, while The Lord of the Rings is seen as more complex, appealing to adults. However,...

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The Hobbit

The secret door appears when a thrush knocks and the last light of Durin's Day reveals the keyhole, as decoded from moon letters by Elrond. The dwarves couldn't predict this event because the...

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The Hobbit

In chapters 16-19, Bilbo loses his respectability among the hobbits. Upon returning home, he finds his possessions being auctioned off as he was presumed dead. Although he recovers most of his...

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The Hobbit

Bilbo's share of the treasure in The Hobbit is determined by a contract signed by Thorin, which promises him "cash on delivery, up to and not exceeding one fourteenth of total profits (if any);"...

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The Hobbit

Bilbo shows compassion for the Elves in chapter 9 when he returns the Wood-elf guard's key ring after freeing the Dwarves from their cells. He does this in order to spare the guard even worse trouble...

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The Hobbit

Both The Hobbit and Beowulf feature epic heroes, but they differ in their journeys and characteristics. Bilbo Baggins is an unlikely hero who grows into his role, relying on wit and courage, while...

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The Hobbit

Bilbo Baggins's actions in The Hobbit highlight both strengths and weaknesses. His adaptability and cleverness are evident when he uses the ring and his sword, "Sting," to defeat spiders in Mirkwood....

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The Hobbit

Gandalf tricks Bilbo into wanting to go on an adventure by twisting his own words around and invoking his Took ancestry. The dwarves contribute by singing stimulating songs about journeys to distant...

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The Hobbit

Bilbo Baggins initially resists the idea of adventure due to the conservative nature of the Shire and his Baggins heritage, which values respectability over adventure. However, his Took side, known...

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The Hobbit

The biblical perspective in The Hobbit includes themes of the battle between good and evil, the use of unlikely individuals for great purposes, and the concept of destiny versus chance. These align...

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The Hobbit

The Hobbit is considered a fantasy genre because it features elements that defy natural laws, such as talking animals, magical races, and mythical creatures. It is set in a fictitious world...

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The Hobbit

During his adventure in The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins experiences a range of emotions, including fear, excitement, and homesickness. Initially reluctant and apprehensive, he gradually gains confidence...

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The Hobbit

Fear aids Bilbo by compelling him to confront challenges and grow throughout his journey. Initially, Bilbo is averse to adventure, but his fear prompts him to act bravely, such as when he faces...

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The Hobbit

Roac, a decrepit old raven and son of Carc, is crucial to the dwarves in The Hobbit because he brings them news of Smaug's death and warns them about the lake-men seeking compensation for their...

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The Hobbit

The event that allowed Thorin to fit the key into the keyhole was the setting sun on Durin's Day, when a thrush knocked on the stone, revealing the keyhole. This moment was foretold by the prophecy...

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The Hobbit

Both are heroes with the same goal, which is to return home. Odysseus returns home to Penelope and his son Telemachus after spending 10 years on a journey so he can be reunited with them. Bilbo...

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The Hobbit

Bard is brave, responsible, and a natural leader, exemplified by his heroic slaying of Smaug and his role in rallying the people of Lake-town. Gandalf is wise, powerful, and enigmatic, often...

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The Hobbit

Thorin is depicted as the leader of the dwarves through his superior attire, such as a light blue hood with a silver tassel and a golden belt, and his choice of wine over tea or beer. His unwavering...

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The Hobbit

Elrond is the elven Lord of Rivendell and plays a crucial role in assisting the company by offering them rest and providing vital information. He is described as wise and venerable, and he helps the...

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The Hobbit

Tolkien rejected allegorical interpretations of his works, including any direct symbolism of European nationalities in "The Hobbit." The book emphasizes the artificiality of racial divides and the...

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The Hobbit

Bilbo is most challenged in Chapter 12 when he enters Smaug's lair alone. This moment is described as requiring the greatest courage from him, as he faces the dragon by himself. The narrator...

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The Hobbit

After Smaug's death, two types of birds appear: carrion birds to feast on his remains, and thrushes and finches marking nature's return to the mountain, which had been lifeless under Smaug's reign....

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