Student Question

What mistake do Fili and Kili make when finding a cave in The Hobbit?

Quick answer:

Fili and Kili make a critical mistake when they locate a cave to shelter the group from an approaching storm. They fail to notice that the cave has a hidden passage at the back, which allows goblins to enter and capture the dwarves. This oversight leads to their capture and sets off a chain of events that significantly impacts the group's journey.

Expert Answers

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First, the mistake that Fili and Kili make is that the cave in which they seek shelter when a storm approaches has a passage that opens in the back and through the passage, goblins capture the dwarves.

Second, Gollum's birthday present, as he calls it, is the ring - the ring the renders the wearer invisible.  Bilbo stumbles upon the ring when he is in Gollum's lair and he isn't aware, at first, of the ring's power.

Third, the goblins and the Wargs meet before they join forces in the battle of 5 armies.  They are in opposition to the dwarves, the men and the elves.

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