The+Hobbit+-+Week+2

Below is Tolkien's own description of [|__The Hobbit__] : "If you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take an interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage and considerable good luck), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the domination of men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the mountains were full of danger."

The Hobbit presents an intriguing variation on the usual quest narrative. The object of the expedition, Smaug's treasure, is not desired by the main character, Bilbo Baggins. The seeker is instead the obsessive dwarf Thorin Oakenshield. But Bilbo is also on a kind of quest. By joining the dwarves he hopes to prove to himself that he has inherited his grandfather's courage. While we would expect to find a brave-hearted fighter like Thorin venturing into a dragon's cave, Tolkien demonstrates that "a humble hero" may also be suited to such exploits.

Preliminary Quiz 1. In what sort of dwelling did the Wood-elves of Mirkwood live? (Answer: a great underground hall) 2. How did Bilbo survive while his companions were imprisoned? (Answer: He stole food from the elves.) 3. What was the name of the great jewel coveted by Thorin Oakenshield? (Answer: the Arkenstone) 4. What was "the bravest thing" Bilbo ever did? (Answer: continuing through the tunnel to Smaug's lair) 5. Why is it wise to bring Cram on a journey? (Answer: You can eat it.) 6. Who slew Smaug, and how? (Answer: Bard, with an arrow) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7. What common threat caused the Elves and Dwarves to join forces? <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(Answer: an attack by goblins) <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #800000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Inventing a Language. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Working with a partner/or by yourself make up a name for a nonexistent language — Blorgolese, Arcanian, Friktic, whatever — then flesh it out with ten verbs, ten nouns, ten adjectives, and five prepositions. Prefixes and suffixes are allowed. Verbs will prove the biggest challenge. Do the speakers of this secret tongue look to the future, or do they live only for the moment? <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Can you write a sentence with your invented language? Come to the next lesson prepared to recite your sentence to the group. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #800000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Magic Sword, Enchanted Loaf, Golden Road. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">W. H. Auden identifies six basic elements to a quest adventure: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Read [|"The Water of Life"] and using a table similar to the one above, identify the six elements. Finally, identify each element in The Hobbit and add to the table. What tests does Bilbo face as the journey progresses? How close does he come to being weeded out?
 * || The Water of Life || The Hobbit ||
 * 1) a precious object, ||  ||   ||
 * 2) a heroic seeker, ||  ||   ||
 * 3) a long journey, ||  ||   ||
 * 4) fierce guardians, ||  ||   ||
 * 5) tests that screen out the unfit ||  ||   ||
 * 6) supernatural helpers. ||  ||   ||