Hobbit Shake Guide
The Hobbit Chapter Guides
Chapter One: "An Unexpected Party"
Summary
We are introduced to hobbits and to Bilbo Baggins, a stay-at-home, utterly respectable hobbit with a secret desire for adventure. Bilbo receives a visit from Gandalf the wizard. The next Wednesday Gandalf returns for tea, bringing with him a party of thirteen dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield. Despite misgivings on both sides, on Gandalf's recommendation the dwarves hire Bilbo as Burglar on an expedition to the Lonely Mountain, where they plan to recover their ancestral treasure from the dragon Smaug.
Comprehension Questions
1.What is Gandalf's reputation?
2.What kind of mark does Gandalf put on Bilbo's door?
3.How many dwarves come to tea?
4.What does Thorin wear to distinguish himself from the other dwarves?
5.What two things does Gandalf give Thorin?
6.How did the dwarves lose their treasure and kingdom?
Vocabulary
audacious (29) rune (32) abreast (32) legendary (34) obstinately (34) prudent (34) remuneration (34) necromancer (37)
Discussion and Essay Topics
1. What does the word hobbit make you think of? (The possibilities include rabbit, hobby, Babbit, habit and hob. The word is probably best seen as a blend of rabbit and hob, an obsolete British word meaning "a rustic, peasant" or "sprite, elf.") How does Bilbo resemble a rabbit in this chapter? When you finish the book, ask yourself if he still reminds you of one.
2. What is an adventure? Is it something that happens, or is it the way we react to what happens?
Can we live without adventures? Is there any "magic" in this book? (Return to these questions as the book progresses.)
3. Explain all the meanings of "good morning" (pp. 17-19).
4. What about adventures awakens Bilbo's "Tookish" side (pp. 26-28, 30)? What causes his
"Baggins" side to reemerge (pp. 30, 38)? Is the Baggins side timid or practical? Is the Tookish side heroic, curious or proud?
5. Even this early in the book, we can see some of the characteristics of dwarves. What are
Chapter One: "An Unexpected Party"
Summary
We are introduced to hobbits and to Bilbo Baggins, a stay-at-home, utterly respectable hobbit with a secret desire for adventure. Bilbo receives a visit from Gandalf the wizard. The next Wednesday Gandalf returns for tea, bringing with him a party of thirteen dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield. Despite misgivings on both sides, on Gandalf's recommendation the dwarves hire Bilbo as Burglar on an expedition to the Lonely Mountain, where they plan to recover their ancestral treasure from the dragon Smaug.
Comprehension Questions
1.What is Gandalf's reputation?
2.What kind of mark does Gandalf put on Bilbo's door?
3.How many dwarves come to tea?
4.What does Thorin wear to distinguish himself from the other dwarves?
5.What two things does Gandalf give Thorin?
6.How did the dwarves lose their treasure and kingdom?
Vocabulary
audacious (29) rune (32) abreast (32) legendary (34) obstinately (34) prudent (34) remuneration (34) necromancer (37)
Discussion and Essay Topics
1. What does the word hobbit make you think of? (The possibilities include rabbit, hobby, Babbit, habit and hob. The word is probably best seen as a blend of rabbit and hob, an obsolete British word meaning "a rustic, peasant" or "sprite, elf.") How does Bilbo resemble a rabbit in this chapter? When you finish the book, ask yourself if he still reminds you of one.
2. What is an adventure? Is it something that happens, or is it the way we react to what happens?
Can we live without adventures? Is there any "magic" in this book? (Return to these questions as the book progresses.)
3. Explain all the meanings of "good morning" (pp. 17-19).
4. What about adventures awakens Bilbo's "Tookish" side (pp. 26-28, 30)? What causes his
"Baggins" side to reemerge (pp. 30, 38)? Is the Baggins side timid or practical? Is the Tookish side heroic, curious or proud?
5. Even this early in the book, we can see some of the characteristics of dwarves. What are