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Hobbit Question 4 March 29, 2011  If Thorin could have lived, do you think he would have regretted his greed? What do you think Tolkien is trying to teach us about material wealth by Thorin's death? In your response, site textual evidence to support your response. Use page numbers too.

I think that he both would have. When he was on his dead bed with Bilbo next to him, he "wished to part in friendship" (290). I think that this showed that he would have regretted it. He didn't necessarily like Bilbo in the beginning, but towards the end, he starting to acknowledge that Bilbo was brave and kind. He grew to liking Bilbo after he saw that Bilbo wasn't just a sit-at-home-all-day-doing-nothing-but-eating hobbit after all. I believe that this showed a change in his attitude towards the whole adventure. I think that if he had lived, he would have definitely regretted being greedy. He would have seen that the right thing to do was appreciate what he had, especially after almost dying. I think that Tolkien is trying to teach us that even if we have lots of riches or jewels or money in our life, it won't do us any good in heaven, so we should focus on family and relationships rather than material things. ~First sentence?? I think you meant 'death bed' ? What textual evidence is there to support his change? Wanting to be Bilbo's friend was nice, but doesn't show he regrets his greed. ~Mrs. Best

March 20, 2011 Think about the times you have learned a new skill, moved, changed schools, competed in sports, welcomed a new pet, discovered a new friend, performed in front of an audience, or had a terrifying fall. These events are adventures in process. Have you grown or changed from your experience with any of these situations, as Bilbo grew and changed because of his adventure with the dwarves? Recall a time when something happened to cause you to grow and change in a positive way. Respond on your wiki page.

I have had a few of these types of moments. One of my favorites was about forensics. In sixth grade, I was having trouble deciding whether or not to participate in forensics. I went to the initial meeting and soon decided that I didn't want to join. I pushed the thought out of my head, believing I would not have to think about it again. One pair of my friends did decide to join, though. They picked out a play called Dumb Bunny. After practicing for a few weeks, one of them found out they could not participate, due to a forgotten vacation. I was then asked to take her place, the leading role. At first I was scared because I have never, ever liked speaking in public, or even reading out loud. Another added pressure was that I received the script only a mere week before the scheduled performance! I hurried to get to work, seeing as we were hoping to have it memorized. We practiced several times a day, starting over at the slightest mistake. It was time-eating and rigorous work. Finally, the day arrived. We got there early to practice once more, and then we started to watch the others as they nervously performed their monologues and skits. Sooner than I would have preferred, it was our turn. I stumbled through the first few lines, forgetting some here and there, but by the time we got to the second page, I was performing like it was something I had done for all my life. After we were done, we nervously sat down and awaited the results. Shortly, we were called up to receive our certificates and ribbons. To our astonishment, we took first! Although I am still not completely comfortable with public speaking, I now know that even if I mess up, nothing's going to happen, no one will say something about it. I think that Bilbo felt the same way I did when he was invited on his adventure. He never would have gone an adventure if not for his Took blood. To his surprise he was being looked at as the leader of the group, the head. He was given almost no time to adjust to this, seeing as he was just abruptly thrown into it. He was a little shaky at first, but later realized that he was destined to be a leader. So far, with his leadership, the dwarves have gotten farther than the might have with Thorin as their leader. ~ What a great connection! You certainly did leave your little hobbit hole to participate in the forensics meet. This year too! Way to step outside of yourself and take a challenge!! ~Mrs. Best

Question March 2, 2011

A good story contains conflicts to keep the reader reading. Three types of conflict frequently found in literature are: Examples Character against Character (Ponyboy's conflict with older brother Darry) Character against Nature (Conflict in survivor stories like Hatchet) Character against Self (Conflict when a character must choose between right and wrong) Choose one conflict in The Hobbit, and explain how Tolkien uses it to move the story forward. Don't forget to cite page number when appropriate.

Character Against Character  One conflict in The Hobbit is between the adventurers and the trolls. Tolkien uses this to move forward because Gandalf makes sure that the trolls are fighting. This ensures that the trolls will be out when the sun comes out and turn to stone. When the trolls turn to stone, the adventurers took their things for use. (All found in pages 34-44)

You must not have realized what I wanted. Look at Allison's, Nikki's, or Thomas D's. If you re write - let me know to look. I can give some points back ~ Mrs. Best

﻿One conflict in the book was the conflict with Bilbo and Gollum. It was a character against character conflict. When Bilbo sees Gollum, he wants to find a way out. Bilbo and Gollum decide to have a riddle contest. If Bilbo wins, Gollum must show him the way out. If Gollum wins, he will eat Bilbo. I think that this really kept the story moving because you just wanting to keep turning the page, reading riddle after riddle, trying to predict the answers after you read them. You wanted to see if both would keep their promises after the contest was over. After many riddles being asked and answered, Bilbo asked what was in his pocket. Gollum claimed him needed "three guesseses, my preciouss, three guesseses" (79). Gollum guessed string, hands, and knife. Bilbo had won the contest and was counting on getting his promised path to the door. Gollum didn't stay true to his word, and he tried to eat Bilbo. At this part, I couldn't put the book down because I so badly wanted to know what would happen to Bilbo. Would he find his way out? Would he be eaten? Bilbo jumped over Gollum and stealthily followed him to the exit. (pages 71-90) This is very nice, Maddie. I love this conflict! ~Mrs. Best

Hobbit Question 2 March 4, 2011 In your own words, describe what happens next to Bilbo and the dwarves in the forest.

Maddie Schultz Reading 8 March 4, 2011

When they are in the forest, they hear wolves. They scurry into the trees, almost leaving Bilbo behind. The last of them just gets in the trees before the wolves come. Some of the wolves came to sit under the occupied trees, so as to prevent any escape. The wolves held their meeting, saying that that they were planning to kill the woodmen. Gandalf, wanting to get away, sent fire balls to the wolves, one catching the chief on the nose. The goblins came running in, and hatched a plan. They stacked wood and brush underneath the trees. They kept a fire going under the trees, with the heat and smoke being forced upon the dwarves. During all of this, the Lord of the Eagles heard what was going on. He swooped down with other eagles to save the dwarves, and carried them off to safety. This was a good summary. I would like a little reaction from you regarding this section. Though it only says tell me what happened, I would always like to hear what you think about it. That is what we do when we respond to literature. ~Mrs. Best

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