English 8/ Writing Workshop/ The Hobbit: the Final Test

Transcription

1 1. Bilbo Baggins is a very different hobbit at the end of the story than he was the start. What evidence suggests that he is a dynamic character that changes during the story? Bilbo Baggins is a dynamic character that changes during the course of his adventures. At the start of the tale, he is, and. Also, he is, and. However, adverse circumstances force him to. For example, when, Bilbo. Moreover, when, Bilbo. Furthermore, Bilbo shows considerable when. Finally, although, Bilbo. Thus, when Thorin Oakenshield is on his deathbed, he commends Bilbo for being and, and the hobbit is given honour and respect from dwarves, men, and elves alike. When Bilbo finally returns to his home in the shire, the Baggins in him, the part that loves, emerges again. However, he is no longer considered respectable by his neighbours, and. Bilbo is therefore forever changed from a hobbit, to one that also makes room for.

2 2. Thorin Oakenshield is sometimes brave and resolute, but he is greedy and stubborn at other times. What evidence from the story suggests that he is a complex character? Examples of his bravery He organized and led the quest to reclaim the mountain from the Dragon. He fought and defeated Azog the Defiler. He fought to the death against overwhelming numbers of goblins and wargs. Examples of his stubbornness He refused to even negotiate with the Elf king whenever he was a prisoner in Mirkwood. He refused to negotiate whenever Bard and the Elf king arrived at the mountain (not even to avoid war). Examples of his resolve He never gave up on his dream to reclaim the Dwarven kingdom of Erebor. He refused to give up his quest to reclaim his family s kingdom, not even to buy his freedom from the elven king. Examples of his greed He would rather have died than give up one gold piece of the treasure. Rather than share the gold with the survivors of Laketown or the elves, he was willing to sacrifice the lives of Bilbo and his party. He valued the Arkenstone over the lives of his dwarven kin, and almost killed Bilbo when he found out Bilbo had given it to Bard.

3 Now input these examples into the paragraph below: Thorin Oakenshield is a complex character who is at times brave and heroic, while, at other times, selfish and greedy. First,. For instance,. Also,. As well,. Second,. For example,. Moreover,. However, while Thorin is both brave and dedicated, he also demonstrates character traits that are less heroic. First,, such as when. In addition,. Second, Thorin. For instance,. Also,, and. Therefore, Thorin is a character that we can both admire and criticize, for he reflects all that is best in Tolkien s dwarves, with their courage and resolve in the face of adversity, but also their tendency to be stiff-necked and possessive of their wealth.

4 3. Discuss how the different conflicts in the Hobbit connect into a greater struggle between good and evil. Instructions: Number these sentences in a logical order. Then re-write the paragraph. These conflicts between good and evil are finally resolved when the goblins, spides, wargs, and dragon are all defeated, but also when Thorin and his friends are reunited in friendship at the end of the great battle, and the wealth of Erebor is shared freely among dwarves, elves, and humans. However, all of these individual struggles play a part in the greater conflict of the story: the fight between good and evil. On the one hand, smaller conflicts carry the story from the unexpected party at Bag End to the great battle of the five armies at its climax. Bilbo between his conservative and anxious Baggins half and his courageous and adventurous Tookish part, or within Thorin Oakenshield, as he is torn between his loyalty towards Bilbo and the dwarves and his greed for the Arkenstone. On the other hand, however, this struggle between good and evil also emerges within characters, as Bilbo attempts to overcome his complacency or cowardice and selflessly help his friends, or when Thorin is torn between loyalty to his friends and his own selfishness and greed. Yet, although these conflicts are temporarily resolved, this struggle between good and evil is eternal, and remains a possibility for future tales. Second, there are the inner conflicts within characters, such as the struggle within On the one hand, the giant spiders, goblins, wargs, and Smaug the Terrible all embody cruelty, malice, and greed. First, there is the struggle of Bilbo and the dwarves against the problems they encounter, from bad weather and storm giants, to imprisonment by goblins, giant spiders, and elves, to the seemingly impossible task of stealing back treasure from a live, angry dragon. While there are multiple minor conflicts in the story The Hobbit, there is one overarching struggle: between good and evil. In the end, friendship and courage win out over greed and cruelty.

5 English 8/ Answer Key The Hobbit: the Final Test 1. Bilbo Baggins is a very different hobbit at the end of the story than he was the start. What evidence suggests that he is a dynamic character that changes during the story? Bilbo Baggins is a dynamic character that changes during the course of his adventures. At the start of the tale, he is conservative and unimaginative, loving comfort, consistency and simplicity. Also, he is an anxious hobbit, and avoids taking risks or having adventures, as they might make him late for supper. However, adverse circumstances force him to adapt and become more resourceful. For example, when lost within the caverns of the Misty Mountains, Bilbo relies on creative thinking to outwit Gollum and use the magic ring to escape to the surface. Moreover, when his companions are captured by the giant spiders of Mirkwood, Bilbo draws on his courage to fight them off and free his friends. Furthermore, Bilbo shows considerable cunning when the dwarves are prisoners of the Elven King, and Bilbo devises and executes a plan to free them all using the barrels and the river. Finally, when Bilbo is forced to choose between obeying Thorin and handing over the Arkenstone or betraying Thorin and avoiding war, Bilbo chose the more difficult path. Thus, when Thorin Oakenshield is on his deathbed, he commends Bilbo for being courageous and honourable, and the hobbit is given honour and respect from dwarves, men, and elves alike. When Bilbo finally returns to his home in the shire, the Baggins in him, the part that loves simplicity and comfort, emerges again. However, he is no longer considered respectable by his neighbours, and has also grown into the adventurous, Tookish part of his character. Bilbo is therefore forever changed from a nervous, fearful, and conservative hobbit, to one that also makes room for adventure, risk-taking, and courage.

6 2. Thorin Oakenshield is sometimes brave and resolute, but he is greedy and stubborn at other times. What evidence from the story suggests that he is a complex character? Thorin Oakenshield is a complex character who is at times brave and heroic, while, at other times, selfish and greedy. First,. For instance,. Also,. As well,. Second,. For example,. Moreover,. However, while Thorin is both brave and dedicated, he also demonstrates character traits that are less heroic. First,, such as when. In addition,. Second, Thorin. For instance,. Also,, and. Therefore, Thorin is a character that we can both admire and criticize, for he reflects all that is best in Tolkien s dwarves, with their courage and resolve in the face of adversity, but also their tendency to be stiff-necked and possessive of their wealth.

7 3. Explain why the killing of Smaug does not end the conflict(s) in the story. Answer Key: While there are multiple minor conflicts in the story The Hobbit, there is one overarching struggle: between good and evil. On the one hand, smaller conflicts carry the story from the unexpected party at Bag end to the great battle of the five armies at its climax. First, there is the struggle of Bilbo and the dwarves against the problems they encounter, from bad weather and storm giants, to imprisonment by goblins, giant spiders, and elves, to the seemingly impossible task of stealing back treasure from a live, angry dragon. Second, there are the inner conflicts within characters, such as the struggle within Bilbo between his conservative and anxious Baggins half and his courageous and adventurous Tookish part, or within Thorin Oakenshield, as he is torn between his loyalty towards Bilbo and the dwarves and his greed for the Arkenstone. However, all of these individual struggles play a part in the greater conflict of the story: the fight between good and evil. On the one hand, the giant spiders, goblins, wargs, and Smaug the Terrible all embody cruelty, malice, and greed. On the other hand, however, this struggle between good and evil also emerges within characters, as Bilbo attempts to overcome his complacency or cowardice and selflessly help his friends, or when Thorin is torn between loyalty to his friends and his own selfishness and greed. These conflicts between good and evil are finally resolved when the goblins, spides, wargs, and dragon are all defeated, but also when Thorin and his friends are reunited in friendship at the end of the great battle, and the wealth of Erebor is shared freely among dwarves, elves, and humans. In the end, friendship and courage win out over greed and cruelty. Yet, although these conflicts are temporarily resolved, this struggle between good and evil is eternal, and remains a possibility for future tales.