The Hobbit An Introduction By J.R.R. Tolkien

By Lynn Forest-Hill © The Tolkien Society 2014 1

Tolkien Society Education Packs

www.tolkiensociety.org

The Hobbit – An Introduction

Introduction

This pack provides some basic and essential information about the book, including:

 a list of major characters, places and objects

 a short summary of the whole story

 a chapter-by-chapter summary

Additional information and connections between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings (LotR) are

given in square brackets - [].

The full title of the book is The Hobbit, or There and Back Again

It is set in Middle-earth in the Third Age. Tolkien did not make up the name Middle-earth. It is in

fact a modernised version on the name of the world inhabited by humans that was used in

ancient northern European languages such as Anglo-Saxon (middangeard - Old English) and

Middle English (middelerde).

It tells the story of Bilbo Baggins - the hobbit of the title - and the adventures he becomes

involved in with Gandalf the wizard and a group of dwarves.

The Hobbit was originally a story Tolkien told to his children. In this form it was composed

sometime between 1929 and 1936.

It was published in 1937.

It is described as a fantasy novel, a story of heroic quest, and a children's story.

It is a third-person narrative and has an omniscient narrator. This means that the narrator tells

the reader the thoughts of the hobbit and also comments on them and the progress of the

quest.

The narrator and the tone of the narration are sometimes comic, and sometimes condescending

to the reader. This condescension was not unusual in books for children in the early 20th

century.

Tolkien uses a variety of styles of writing. Sometimes the narration becomes almost poetic. Many

of the characters are given their own kinds of speech.

 Bilbo sometimes is offended by Gandalf or the dwarves and then his speech changes to

sound more formal and 'dignified'.

 Thorin is usually terse, sometimes angry

 The trolls use colloquial language and bad grammar

 Gollum always seems to be talking to someone else, and his speech is full of 's' sounds

 The language of the goblins is full of violence

 Tolkien introduces many old and unusual words into the story because he loved

language.

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Themes:

 The development of a reluctant hero

 Luck and how it serves characters who are brave even when scared

 Power and its misuse [the Ring symbolises power]

 Leadership [the Master of Lake-town is not a good leader]

 The relationship between the natural world and that of humans or humanlike beings.

Main Characters in the Story:

 Bilbo Baggins the hobbit of the title

 Gandalf the wizard

 Thorin Oakenshield, leader of the dwarves. His dwarf companions are: Dwalin, Balin,

Kili, Fili, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur. [The names of all the dwarves,

and 'Gandalf' come from the Icelandic stories written in the Prose Edda. In LotR Gloin is

Gimli's father]

 The three trolls

 Elrond Half-Elven, master of Rivendell

 Gollum - possesses and loses a Ring which confers invisibility

 Beorn - a shape-shifter who helps the travellers

 The Elvenking, lord of the Elves of Mirkwood [His name is Thranduil and in LotR we learn

he is Legolas's father]

 The Master of Lake Town

 Smaug the Dragon

 The thrush

 Bard the Bowman

 Goblins

 Wargs

 The Lord of the Eagles

Many of these characters and beings appear again in The Lord of the Rings.

Important Places:

 Bag End - the name of Bilbo's home

 Hobbiton - the place where he lives

 Rivendell - the deep valley where Elrond and his household live

 The Misty Mountains - where the Great Goblin and his soldier live in caves, and where

Gollum lives on an island in a lake

 The Edge of the Wild - the land on the far side of the Mountains

 The Carrock - a great rock in a river, close to Beorn's home

 Mirkwood - a vast dark forest where giant spiders live. It also surrounds the under-

ground realm of the Elvenking and his people.

 The Long Lake - Bilbo is astonished that any expanse of water could be so big without

being the Sea.

 Lake-town, also called Esgaroth, built out over part of the Long Lake

 Dale - a town ruined by Smaug

 The Desolation of Smaug - all the lands that have been destroyed and defiled by the

Dragon

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 The Lonely Mountain - ancient home and realm of Thorin's people. Taken over by the

dragon who guards the treasure he has also taken.

 Middle-earth - the place where everything in the story happens. [Not somewhere

Tolkien invented, but a modernised form of the medieval name for the whole world in

which we live. As 'middangeard' or 'middelearde' it meant the land in the middle - that is

between heaven and the underworld. Tolkien chose this name for his world because the

events that happen in it are supposed to have happened in a very distant or mythic past

time before the history we know about.]

Important Objects:

 The Arkenstone - a great white jewel. It was the dwarves' most prized treasure but was

left behind when they fled from Smaug. Also called the Heart of the Mountain.

 Thror's Map

 The Ring

 Glamdring (elvish for Foe-hammer)

 Orcrist (elvish for Goblin-cleaver)

 Sting [These three swords were made in ancient times by elves. They shine when

enemies are near. They are again important in LotR.]

Connections with The Lord of the Rings:

Bilbo's adventures in The Hobbit happen before the story told in The Lord of the Rings, but the

story includes moments of foreshadowing:

Things happen in The Hobbit which will later be important in LotR, such as Gollum calling the Ring

his 'Precious'. The petrification (turning to stone) of the trolls in The Hobbit becomes a playful

sign of Sam's special qualities in LotR.

There are many echoes of The Hobbit in LotR, but they are often on a larger scale in LotR, or more

dangerous and serious. For example, on the quests in both books the travellers visit Rivendell for

rest and advice. After this, in both stories, they experience storms in the mountains.

The Hobbit includes many songs, rhymes, and riddles that form part of the story, help to create

characterisation, or explain earlier events. Some are more comic, others are more childish, than

songs and poems in LotR, but they are all important in their own ways within the stories. They

also help to create the distinctive tone of Tolkien's storytelling.

A note on pages before Chapter 1:

The map at the very start of the book is important - it is Thror's map and is not like modern

maps. It is like medieval maps that showed important places and things in pictures.

If you look closely, the compass directions are not like modern maps. Tolkien explains that this is

how dwarf maps are made. But medieval maps did not use modern compass points.

Tolkien chooses to use plural form of 'dwarf' that is not spelt as it is in modern English. He

explains his choice at the very start of the book, where he also explains the occasional use of

'orc' rather than 'goblin', and gives and introduction to the use of runes.

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FAQs of The Hobbit An Introduction by J.R.R. Tolkien

What is the main plot of The Hobbit?

The Hobbit follows Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who is unexpectedly recruited by Gandalf the wizard and a group of thirteen dwarves to reclaim their homeland and treasure from the dragon Smaug. Initially reluctant, Bilbo embarks on a journey filled with challenges, including encounters with trolls, goblins, and giant spiders. Throughout the adventure, he discovers his own courage and resourcefulness, ultimately playing a crucial role in the quest's success.

Who are the main characters in The Hobbit?

Key characters in The Hobbit include Bilbo Baggins, the titular hobbit; Gandalf, the wise wizard who orchestrates the adventure; and Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the dwarves seeking to reclaim their treasure. Other notable characters include Gollum, who possesses a magical ring, and Smaug, the fearsome dragon guarding the treasure. Each character contributes to the themes of bravery, friendship, and the struggle against evil.

What themes are explored in The Hobbit?

The Hobbit delves into several themes, including the development of a reluctant hero, as Bilbo transforms from a complacent hobbit into a brave adventurer. The story also examines the misuse of power, symbolized by the One Ring, and the importance of leadership, as seen through Thorin's character. Additionally, the relationship between humans and nature is highlighted, showcasing the beauty and dangers of Middle-earth.

What important locations are featured in The Hobbit?

Important locations in The Hobbit include Bag End, Bilbo's cozy home; Rivendell, the serene refuge of the elves; and the Lonely Mountain, which is the dwarves' ancestral home now occupied by Smaug. Other significant places include Mirkwood, a dark and dangerous forest, and Lake-town, where the inhabitants aid Bilbo and the dwarves on their quest. Each location plays a vital role in shaping the narrative and character development.

How does The Hobbit connect to The Lord of the Rings?

The Hobbit serves as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings, introducing key elements and characters that reappear in the later work. Notably, the One Ring, which Bilbo acquires during his adventure, becomes central to the plot of The Lord of the Rings. Themes of friendship, bravery, and the battle against evil are echoed in both stories, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected narratives.

What is the significance of the Ring in The Hobbit?

The Ring in The Hobbit is a powerful artifact that grants invisibility to its wearer, symbolizing the corrupting nature of power. Bilbo's discovery of the Ring during his encounter with Gollum marks a turning point in his character development, as he learns to navigate the dangers of his quest. The Ring's significance expands in The Lord of the Rings, where it becomes a central element in the struggle between good and evil.

What role do songs and riddles play in The Hobbit?

Songs and riddles are integral to The Hobbit, enhancing the storytelling and providing insight into character personalities. They serve to create a whimsical tone, particularly in the interactions between Bilbo and Gollum during their riddle game. Additionally, songs reflect the cultural heritage of the dwarves and elves, enriching the narrative and deepening the reader's connection to the world of Middle-earth.

The Hobbit An Introduction by J.R.R. Tolkien

Key Points

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100 Preposition Examples in Sentences

101 Questions Before Getting Engaged

10th Step Promises Chapter 6, page 84-85

11 General Orders

12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson

FAQs of The Hobbit An Introduction by J.R.R. Tolkien

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