Hobbit+Discussion+Page

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Question 4: March 29, 2011

In the end of the story, Thorin is defeated, and only his legacy remains. If he had still survived, I believe he would thoroughly regret his greed. It was a petty thing, but Thorin thought that the gold and jewels were everything, that they might give him power, or help him succeed people and be high in stature. Thorin would realize that jewels and pearls are not greater than his own life, the life he could of done bigger things during. Unfortunatley, he didn't realize this until his last breaths. Nonetheless, he was very brave and courageous in battleto get what he thought he deserved. The author, Tolkein, is trying to display the message that greed should not be felt, it often leads to your own downfall. In Thorin's case, he thought that the treasures were all rightfully his, and no one else would ever get it from him. The bitter journey to find the treasures may also made him very eager to grab it for himself. I think he was very smart to display this in such a witty and clever story. Mrs. Best I agree with you! Good response. The only thing missing is textual evidence. 4/20

(I'm sorry this was posted late)

~ WOW! Amazing Wordl!! This page should link back to student pages. ~Mrs. Best Question #4 Missing Question 3: March 22, 2011

 In my life, though I may not realize it, I have many adventures. Often just trying to make it through the day, I don't realize how much is actually out there for me! I can realize some of my own adventures, however. When I go practice preforming every Thursday and Sunday with my friends at the theater, it's an adventure all on its own. Standing on the stage with blackness all around with the curtains closed is scary and thrilling, and waiting on the wings makes my heart beat three times as hard. Right before the show, we all are jumping up and down, just trying to get rid of the nerve-racking jitters in our shaking bodies. When the curtain opens, and the spotlight's heat pokes through the darkness, I might as well be flying. I hope and pray that we won't mess up and ruin it, but that usually won't happen. It gives me an airy, soaring feeling when the first song goes just right, and everyone sang beautifully. Its that feeling of adventure, like when I walked on a wood slated rope bridge over a river in Kentucky, or rode on a huge roller coaster. I'm scared, but terribly excited all at once, and to me, that is one of the best feelings of all! This whole theater experience has really made me change a lot. By doing all of these musicals and plays, it really makes me a very confident person, and it has a very positive effect in that way. I am more daring. Some people could never get on stage and talk in a funny accent or dare try to make the audience laugh. They might be afraid of failure. But, in my experience with doing this, I can say that I can hold my head up high, no matter if the audience didn't laugh, or if my voice cracked while singing. The fear is no longer there, and it's all replaced with confidence, and I have fun getting it!

 I can imagine that Blibo has felt the same exact way at some points in the book. For example when the dwarves and he are captured by the goblins, or from the book when "there were howls all around them now, getting nearer and nearer." (110) That just sends shivers down my spine. I think this entire adventure has really made Bilbo grow as a hobbit. At the beginning he was worried about how much food he had, and now, he's worrying about a dragon being after him or being killed! You must have a immense amount of bravery to do that, which, in the beginning, he didn't really have at all. He was not adventurous one bit! Now he is. I think Bilbo has gotten more and more confident throughout the book, and I'm really hoping to see what happens next! ~Great job making connections! ~Mrs. Best

Question 2: March 4, 2011

While in the forest, the dwarves and Bilbo have an unpleasant time. After Bilbo escaped from the nasty goblins, he finds Gandalf and the dwarves in the woods, trying to think of where to find him, and arguing whether or not they should try to. They stay the night there, and decide to get moving as fast as possible, before the goblins catch up and find them again. So they trudge through the forest aimlessly, and suddenly run into some unexpected visitors. They hear wolves. As fast as they can, they climb into the nearby pines. The pine is too high for Bilbo to climb into, so they must hoist him up, and one of them almost is snatched by a wolf. They wait in the pines, trying to throw things at them to get them to go away. Gandalf uses his wand to start pinecones on fire and throw them at the wolves. While the wolves howl in pain and start to run away, the Goblins come. They chant horrible things, and have torches and weapons. When it just was getting bad, a huge eagle swoops in, and they all grab on, holding onto each others ankles. They are then safe from the dangers of wolves and goblins, but who is to say that they will again? ~ Nice job! Mrs. Best

Question 1: March 2, 2011

A conflict in the story is between Bilbo, the dwarves, and nature. Throughout the story, they have to fight against horrible conditions, dark forests, rainy cold days, and frightening lightning storms. It adds a great essence of excitement in the book, as well as leaving the reading thinking how they will get through it. In such places like the forest, the darkness led Bilbo and the dwarves to go off the path, and meet new scary creatures. On the mountain, the big thunderstorm added a fun tension to the otherwise plain occurrences. I also think that the weather adds a nice setting or "background" to the story, making the feelings either sleepy, scary, exciting, or calming. I think this is very important to any story, and adds some fun to it! I agree! These kinds of details make me feel like I am living the story too! ~ Mrs. Best