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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. If Thorin were still alive, I think that he would have regretted his greed. I think that he was so excited and overwhelmed that he was back to his true home, that he forgot about everyone that helped him get there. He would have probably lost a lot of his companions and if he were in trouble he would not have the help of the elves or the Lake Men because he was being so selfish and rude to them. Thorin was so wrapped up in all of the gold and silver that he forgot about everyone else who might have needed it more than he did or at least just SHARING a portion of it. He completely ignored the fact that Bard was the one who killed Smaug and made it possible for Thorin to have the treasure back. Even when Bard came to the mountain and begged Thorin for a little portion of the treasure Thorin said that, "To the treasure of my people no man has a claim."(265,266) he also said that "//nothing// will we give, not even a loaf's worth."(266) Thorin could have given them some of the treasure to repair their town and buy new supplies, but he was only thinking of himself. If Thorin only knew that treasures can't buy happiness, than this war and his death might not have happened. I think that everything would have been different if he only shared and thought of others. ~ I agree with you, but you don't really cite anything from the book to support your response that Thorin would have changed. Look at his words on hid death bed. ~Mrs. Best

The Hobbit Discussion Questions  Hobbit Question 3 An adventure that I have had that made me grow and change was when we got our new puppy, Remy. It was Christmas Eve and we just got back home from Christmas Eve mass. My grandparents came to our house while we were at mass so that they could celebrate Christmas with us in the morning. We were all gathered in the kitchen talking about school, sports, jobs, and what we have been doing lately, when my dad handed my three sisters and I all a bandana to put on our eyes so that we could not see anything. This was certainly weird and unexpected, but we did what we were told and put the bandanas on our eyes. Then my parents guided us around the corners and through the narrow halls of our house, until we reached their bedroom. Soon, my dad left my side and we were now just standing there waiting for something to happen. Suddenly I heard heavy, quick breathing and when my mom told us to take off our blind folds, we saw my dad holding a little lab puppy! We were so excited that we got a dog! We played and cuddled with it all night long! Later that night when we were all getting ready for bed my mom told us that we should know that having a dog is a big responsibility. She told us that it wasn't her job to take Remy outside, play with him, and feed him everyday. Of course we told her that we would do it and she would never have to remind us again, but...a couple weeks later we were already slacking on the job and my mom had to start reminding us almost everyday. My sisters and I soon realized that instead of forgetting to do it all the time and my mom having to do it instead, we decided that it was our responsibility, and we should do this one little thing for her since she does so much more for us. Bilbo's adventure was a similar to mine because his was also certainly unexpected. Bilbo grew and changed just like I did because he knew that he had a responsibility of leading the group, just like I had a responsibility of taking care of the dog. I think we both learned that you can't just blow off your responsibility because someone isn't always going to be there to cover for you. Although Bilbo's adventure involved fighting giant spiders and slaying dragons, I think we both learned a valuable lesson that will certainly help us in the future. ~Great connections. I am sure that a puppy provides a lot of adventure! I'll never know first-hand though! ~Mrs. Best

Question #1: 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. Question #1 Answer: A conflict in The Hobbit is between Bilbo and Gollum. Tolkien uses this conflict to move the story forward by making it very suspenseful between them. They ask riddles back and forth, and one wrong answer could be the end of Bilbo's life or the opportunity for Bilbo to be set free. Gollum guesses wrong, but he wont let Bilbo go that easily. Gollum tries to kill him! Finally, Bilbo discovers something very important that helps him escape. I think this conflict will help Bilbo later on in the story because he has now faced some problems and now knows what to expect later on. This is found on pages 71-87. Why don't you tell me what he has discovered? That would add more to this response. What kind of conflict is this? How did you react when you were reading this? Did it make you want to read more? ~Mrs. Best

=== I totally agree with your answer. I wrote the same answer for mine. This does keep the story going because now that Gollum knows that Bilbo has the ring I think that Gollum will try to go get the ring back. Also this affects the story because the ring will change the Bilbo's personality because he can use that to his advantage and if other people find out the rings power and figure out Bilbo has it they are going to go after it too. This section in the book when Gollum and Bilbo were saying the riddles really kept me going like you said. Bilbo could have died so that was scary to find out what the results would be. I can't wait to find out what Bilbo will now do with the ring! Good job!! ~ What a great response. This is how you talk about books! ~Mrs. Best ===

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

Question #2 Answer: Bilbo and the dwarves were walking through the forest and wanted to find a safe place to stay for the night, after the long day they had. They stopped in a big opening in the forest, which they thought would be safe, until they started hearing a lot of howling that was getting closer by the second. It was the big wolf pack called the Wargs. They started running around, frantically, trying to find a place to hide. Gandalf and all the dwarves climbed up the trees because they knew that the Wargs couldn't climb them, but poor Bilbo was to short to even reach the first branch! Dori was on the branch closest to the ground so he was ordered to help Bilbo up into the tree. Bilbo of course could still not even grab Dori's hand while it was dangling from the bottom branch, so Dori got down and lifted Bilbo up. Dori got back into the tree just in time because a wolf was just about to grab him. The Wargs were now calling the goblins over to help them get everyone down from the trees. Gandalf started throwing down blue flames of fire right onto the wolves. It started so much commotion that even the eagles from far off could hear the wolves' loud howling. By the time to goblins arrived, everything was catching on fire. But, that didn't stop the goblins. They had a plan. They put leafs and broken branches around all of the trees that the dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf were in, so that the trees would catch on fire and burn to the ground. Right when Gandalf was about to be burned, The Lord of Eagles swooped down and carried him away from the burning forest. After that, many other eagles came swooping by carrying the dwarves and Bilbo away. The goblins and wolves were furious and dumbfounded. Once again, Gandalf, Bilbo, and the dwarves made it out safely. === **~ This is a good summary. Again, what did you think about this event? Did you like it? Did he do a good job keeping your interest? ~Mrs. Best ** ===