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** 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. **
Sara Wirthlin 3/3/11 Wiki Hobbit Answer:

I thought that the conflict character against character really fits in with the Hobbit. An example of this in the story is Gollum against Billbo. This is located in chapter five on page 76. The first conflict they have is that Billbo needs to get out of a very dark cave and because it is so dark he doesn't know where he is going, and for all he knows he could be walking in a circle. Gollum on the other hand, a small slimy creature that is as dark as darkness except for his two big round green eyes, is hungry and is wondering if Bilbo is good to eat. Since they both have a conflict they decide to play a riddle game and the loser would have to do what the winner wanted. At the end of the game Bilbo wins by a question asking the question "what is in my pocket?" He gave Gollum three guesses, but Gollum didn't guess it. So then Bilbo asked him to show him the way out, but Gollum wanted to eat Bilbo. Then because Gollum wanted to eat him he said he would be right back because he needed to get something, and that something happened to be a magical ring that made you invisible when you put it on. When Gollum was looking for it he had realized he dropped it and that Bilbo must have that in his pocket. So Gollum tried to attack him to get the ring back and as Bilbo was running from him he tripped on a rock, and he realized that he put the ring on. When Gollum walked right passed Bilbo, Bilbo then realized that the ring was magical and made you invisible. That is the second conflict because they both want the ring for themselves. Bilbo needes the ring because that is his only chance to get out, but Gollum wants the ring because that was his birthday gift and that is his secret weapon for getting food. This keeps the story going because the ring is a very valuable peace piece!!! of jewelry because of its power and now when people figure out its power they will want it too. Also Bilbo can now use this to his advantage and will change his actions when it comes to being sneaky. The ring will have a major impact on the story. ~Nice job! Mrs. Best

Kate Thomas Reading-8th

I loved this part! This is the same conflict that I did. The riddles that they said back and forth made it so intense and I couldn't stop reading! I cannot imagine how scared Bilbo must have been when he fell and saw Gollum, the creepy, slimy, dark creature, coming after him! I would have freaked out! I was so relieved that Bilbo put the ring on before Gollum got to him, or else something really bad could have happened to him. I think that Bilbo will soon find out how important the ring is and how it will be able to help him in his other conflicts. I am hoping that was the last time we heard about Gollum, but maybe he will show up later in the book again, trying to capture Bilbo and get his ring back.I think that this was one of the best and most intense conflicts so far. Nice job Sara! It was really good! ~Great lit response. Just what I was hoping for! Very positive. ~Mrs. Best

Hobbit Question 2

 March 4, 2011

 In your own words, describe what happens next to Bilbo and the dwarves in

the forest.

Sara Wirthlin 3/6/11 Wiki Hobbit Answer: As Bilbo, the dwarves, and Gandalf walked through the woods, they came to an open clearing in the woods were no trees grew, and the moon happened to be shining. It struck all of them that it was a nice place, but they were wrong. When they were standing there, suddenly they heard a howl away down hill, a long shuddering howl. Then it was followed by another howl to there right and was a good deal closer to them. Then another one not to far away to there left. It was wolves howling at the moon, wolves gathering together. Gandalf didn't know what to do so told them to go to the trees that were closest to them and climb up them. Soon the wolves or Wargs trotted howling into the clearing, and soon there were hundreds of eyes looking at all of them in the trees. The wolves stayed there guarding each tree, as some other wolves started planning what they will do, waiting for there evil friends, the goblins. Gandalf knows that if he doesn't do something that when the goblins get there they will be able to climb the trees and capture him, and his friends. So Gandalf starts throwing pine-cones that are lit with fire at the wolves. The wolves start freaking out and start taking off in all different directions. Then disappointment falls over Gandalf, Bilbo, and the dwarves. They see the goblins appearing. The goblins weren't afraid of fire so they start stalking fern and brushwood round the tree-trunks. They lit the fern and bushwood and soon the fire engulfed the trees. The fire started coming closer and closer to the dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf that they thought they were done for it, but then eagles appear and save them by letting them jump on them. The dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf fly away leaving the angry wolves and goblins behind. ~ Good summary. Would like to hear your reaction to this. What did you think about this scene? ~Mrs. Best

When Gandolf first visits Bilbo, looking for someone to share in an adventure, Bilbo tells Gandalf that hobbits are

"...plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can't think what anybody sees in them "(7).

The dwarves are not quite sure that Bilbo will be able to handle the adventures at all, and Bilbo himself wonders how he found himself at The Green Dragon Inn, riding a pony away from Hobbiton. But now, Bilbo has become the unspoken leader of the party. Without Bilbo, the dwarves would never have made it to Lonely Mountain.

Is an adventure something that happens to us or how we react to what happens? Often in life, adventures are not as obvious as killing giant spiders or escaping from an Elven king's dungeon. Sometimes adventures are made out of ordinary days and ordinary events, with ordinary people who become the heroes. You may not even realize you've been in an adventure until after it's over!

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.

When I was a little girl, I would always be afraid of saying home alone. I would always feel like a person would try to rob our house, and would hurt me if he saw me. When ever my mom would go somewhere I would always try to go with her, so I wouldn't have to be at home alone. One day when I got home from school, I was so excited because I was going over to Nicole Zingale's house! My dad was at work, my sister was at soccer practice, and my mom had to take my brothers somewhere, and I was going over to Nicole's house. Before my mom was going to leave with my brothers she had to tell me that I had to stay at home because Mrs. Zingale would be picking me up there. I was fine with it until I figured out I would be all alone! I didn't want my mom to leave me, but eventually she had to. When she left I tried watching some television to get my mind off things. I got so in to the show I was watching that I forgot I was even home alone. Before long I heard the door bell ring and Nicole was there with a big smile on her face. I felt very brave after that because I conquered my fear. From that point on I was never afraid of staying home alone again. My story connects to Bilbo because he was also afraid of something which was going on an adventure, and he conquered it. Bilbo realized that he could take care of himself, and that he was a lot of help even though in the beginning of his adventure it didn't seen like it. This tells you that anyone can be a hero, even if you are not the bravest one, or the smartest. Everyone should try to conquer there fear because if you don't you will always have to deal with it through your life. ~ Good job! This is a good story! Mrs. Best

**//Hobbit Question 4 March 29, 2011 //**

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;"> 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.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">If Thorin had lived, I think that he would indeed regret his greed. I think this because someone else had risked their live to kill Smaug, and Smaug had destroyed the Men of the Lake's town, but Thorin didn't care. He wouldn't agree to give them any of the treasure, when the Men of the Lake people were very nice to them and helped them when they were in time of need. Thorin believed that just because he was king under the mountain that all the treasure belonged to him and the dwarves. I am glad though because Bilbo had made the right choice by giving the Men of the Lake some of his treasure. Also I am happy with the end of the book because everybody was happy, and had peace with one another. I am sure that if Thorin could have relived that part of his life he would have gladly given some of his treasure away. (don't have book so I couldn't get any page numbers)

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">~ Not finished - Mrs. Best (sorry went to tennis practice)