Student Question
What would be a good thesis for J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit?
Quick answer:
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 of the hero title," allows for discussion of his transformation. Alternatively, examining themes like courage or loyalty among characters can also provide a compelling thesis, guiding the paper's focus and argumentation.
A good thesis is going to make an argument. That's the point of a thesis. It can't be a statement of fact, because then there is nothing for the paper to argue for and support. The thesis statement will guide the rest of the paper's argument. For a lot of literature, a thesis that forces the paper into a close examination of a character or theme is a good place to start. With The Hobbit you could have a thesis that closely examines Bilbo as a hero character. For example, "Although Bilbo is not initially an ideal hero character, he absolutely becomes worthy of the hero title." This thesis format is a solid format because it allows you to discuss both sides of the issue. You are forced into discussing how and why Bilbo is not a good hero. The next part of the paper will then be why that initial argument is flawed. If you want to examine a theme instead, there's a lot to choose from. You could focus your thesis on Bilbo's courage or how loyalty is observed or not observed by certain groups of characters within the story.
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