Independent+Novel+Study

Independent Novel Study

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

__ Journal Entry #1 __ __ Pages 1-73 __

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 * What is the setting of the novel? Is the setting important or could the novel be happening anywhere? Why? **======

The setting for the novel is in a different world (universe really), one with other creatures than that exist in our world. The protagonist (Bilbo Baggins) is a hobbit, there are also dwarfs and elves and even dragons. This world also had things like magic and things that just would not make sense in our world. But more precisely it starts in a valley where other hobbits live.

It could not be happening anywhere because that only certain places have hobbits and dwarfs so you could say that the setting is very important.

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 * Q uestion #4 **======

**What's going on as the story begins? **
At the beginning of the story the narrator explains somethings to make sure that the story makes sense. Bilbo is having a nice quite morning when a great wizard who's name is Gandalf comes they converse for a wile when Gandalf seems to decide that Bilbo needs to go on an adventure. But of course he does not want to go on one of those (and as he said it) “mad adventures”. The next day dwarfs arrive at his door (13 of them in fact) and Bilbo is to be their master burglar assigned by Gandalf. So even though he does not want to he is sucked into an adventure.

**Why did you select this novel? **
I selected this novel because it was recommended to me by my brother, mother and father. Also my brother has explained the plot of the sequel series (The Lord Of The Rings) several time so i was curious to see what happened before it. __Journal Entry #2__ __Pages 74-164__


 * Question #2 **
 * What information did you need to know before reading the novel? **

I did not need to know anything because at the beginning of the book the narrator explains most of what we need to know, but if the narrator did not explain what something is at the beginning then when said unknown thing comes up the narrator usually explains what it is, but sometimes the reader is left slightly in the dark and is forced to find out what it is through the dialog.


 * Question #7 **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What is the initial or first problem faced by the main character? **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">That Gandalf volunteers Bilbo to go on an adventure for great treasure with some dwarfs, but Bilbo does not want to go on an adventure. But in the end he does, and so far throughout the story Bilbo has never completely decide if this is a good or bad thing.


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Question #8 **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How does the author get you to read on or hold your interest? **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">At the moment, a change of character. Bilbo use to be shy of adventure and fighting and would dearly like just to go back home, but now after fighting a huge giant spider he feels more confident and risk’s his life (twice!) for the dwarfs. Also earlier in the story it says “Biblo never saw them again - except high an far off in the battle of the Five Armies. But that comes at the end of this tale we will say no more about it just now.” Witch is forshadowing for what may come later in the story. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Journal Entry #3__ __Pages 165-221__


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Question #9 **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What new things are added to the original problem as the novel progresses? **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Biblo (and company) finally reach there destination, the lonely mountain. The dwarfs have come here to reclaim the dwarven kingdom of old that was destroyed many years ago. There is also great treasure in said mountain-kingdom, unfortunately they have woken a dragon who has taken over and incurred his wrath. The dragon is also attacking a nearby town, which help them along earlier in the story.


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Question #3 **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What has happened before the novel began? **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A dragon named Smaug has driven the dwarfs out of their mountain kingdom. The Baggins’ are a very respected family of hobbits, they never do anything unexpected (like go on an adventure). The Took’s are a family of hobbits that are not very respected, sometimes they do very unexpected things (like go on an adventure), though they are quite wealthy from all of these discrete adventures. Bilbo is born, his father a Baggins his mother a Took. **<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Question #13 **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">To what age group is the novel aimed? Support your answer with evidence. **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I don’t think the novel was really aimed at any particular audience, the writing style is more geared toward children, but the events and giant spiders not so much. I think the book was originaly aimed at children but is appeals to everyone. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Journal Entry #4__ __Pages 222-257__


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Question #20 **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Is the novel believable? **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Generally no, you don’t go to school with hobbits and elves, or hear news about dragons. Almost no one would believe that this is true. And another thing its not even based on earth, the land masses are different and and there is no magic on earth. So i guess technically the novel could be based far far in the future.

But on the other hand, if we look at the story from in this world of hobbits and dragons i could say that this is totally believable. The facts fit from their perspective.


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Question #22 **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Why did (or didn't) the novel meet your expectations? **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The novel did meet my expectations of it because, it is quite a good novel. it had a good plot with very very good fantasy elements, evolving and deep characters with a good writing style. so yes it does live up to my family's recommendations.


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Question #21 **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Why would you (or why wouldn't you) recommend this novel to a friend? **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I would recommend this book to a friend for good read, bot only id they like a fantasy setting. I would also only recommend it over a larger period of time because it is not the most captivating book i have ever read. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Journal Entry #5__ __Pages 258-285__


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Question #19 **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What message did you get from the novel? How was this message conveyed? **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One of the main messages that i got from the book was that it’s good to do something unexpected for a change as that is what the whole book was about really about. It was conveyed mostly at the beginning and the end. At the beginning Bilbo does not want to go on a adventure but he comes back a changed man (hobbit). 61


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Question #14 **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Is there a message or main theme emerging in the book? How is it shown? **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One of the main themes seems to be coming together and working as a team with divers talents. For example when the travelers go through the misty mountains they wouldn't have survived without the help of Gandlaf. And the dwarfs wouldn't have survived without the help of Bilbo in Mirkwood. 50


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Question #10 **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What plot twists or unexpected events happen as the novel goes on? **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Some of the major plot twists are: Smog the dragon attacking the human village, The goblin and warg army arriving at the end of the book, Bilbo finding out that his house was up for auction and he was assumed to be dead and Bilbo stealing the Arkenstone (not necessarily in that order.) __<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Focus Assignment __ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The theme of the hobbit is to be **<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">bold **<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">don’t be afraid to try something new and never fall in to habits or let you emotions. The novels title doesn't have much metaphoric meaning it just means that the book is about a (the) hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. The one who is telling the story is a narrator but they never reveal their identity. The main conflict in The Hobbit was Bilbo and his friend making their way to the lonely mountain and defeat smog the dragon. The story happens at a unknown time and place but its on a planet somewhat like earth in a medieval fantasy setting. The climax is when the two armies clash at the end of the book the epic battle between the goblins and wargs on one side and the elves, dwarfs, humans (and one hobbit) on the other. The climax is resolved went the humans, dwarfs and elves (and a hobbit) defeat the other side (this is not shown in the book because Bilbo is knocked unconscious. I did enjoy the plot but not as much as some other books, (ex: city of bones). It was a deep plot with much detail but it was not the most exciting book. The plot was diverse and intriguing but slow and hard to follow. My favorite part of the book was when the companions where in the forest mirkwood and they fought giant spiders and got captured by elves. The escape was quite intriguing and exciting.  <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">media type="custom" key="12108808"