The Fellowship of the Ring

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Council of Elrond Debate”

In this activity, students will have a classroom debate that mirrors the Council of Elrond, taking on the roles of various characters and arguing their perspectives on what should be done with the One Ring.

As readers delve into The Fellowship of the Ring, they encounter a scene that shapes the course of the entire saga—the Council of Elrond. This isn’t just a meeting; it is a gathering of leaders, each with their own complex histories and stakes in the future of Middle-earth. In this debate, take on the role of one of these characters. Analyze and interpret the views presented; paraphrase the messages and ideas conveyed by the character, challenge and be challenged by the other characters, and make clear the subtext and any hidden significance of this scene. Utilize text details about your character from all points in the novel to advocate their thoughts on what to do with the One Ring.

• Analyze your character. What do they want? What do they fear? What is their history with the One Ring and with the other participants in the Council?
• Create a short statement from your character’s point of view specifying what should be done with the One Ring. Use the book to gather quotes and arguments that support your character’s point of view.
• Sit in a circle with your classmates, like the Council of Elrond. When it is your turn, present your character’s position on what should be done with the One Ring.
• Listen to others and challenge their views with questions or points that your character would realistically make. Be ready to defend your character’s position against questions and challenges from others.

After the debate, write a brief reflection. Based on the arguments presented, what predictions can you make about the choices the characters might face in the future of the story? If the One Ring had taken a different path as a result of the debate, how do you imagine the story might have changed?

Teaching Suggestion: For larger classes, roles might be doubled (e.g., two students could take on the role of Gimli, two for Gandalf, etc.) Additionally, characters who did not participate in the novel’s Council, such as Tom Bombadil or Bilbo, might be included. If the debate stalls, you may wish to present hypothetical situations (e.g., “What if the One Ring could be hidden forever without being destroyed?”) to encourage creative and critical thinking beyond the text.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The One Ring symbolizes the heavy burden of power and its corrupting effects.

• How do the different characters respond to the Ring’s power, and what does this show us about their true natures? (topic sentence)
• Choose 3 characters whose interaction with the Ring most closely supports your topic sentence. What does each character’s reaction to the Ring reveal about the danger of its power and what it means to be tempted?
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, briefly evaluate and summarize what these moments reveal about Tolkien’s ideas on power and its ability to reveal a person’s inner strengths or weaknesses.

2. Characters like Frodo, Sam, Aragorn, and Gandalf stand as beacons of goodness in the ongoing Battle Between Good and Evil.

• In what ways do Frodo, Sam, Aragorn, and Gandalf demonstrate goodness in the face of evil? (topic sentence)
• Choose 3 acts or decisions made by any of these characters that exemplify goodness combating evil. Describe these moments and analyze how they contribute to the overall theme of The Battle Between Good and Evil in the story.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, paraphrase and summarize the message conveyed by these acts of goodness about the role of individual choices in this struggle.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Reflect on the idea of “journey” in the novel, both physical and metaphorical. Consider how the characters’ journeys contribute to character development and the broader narrative. In a 3- or 5-paragraph essay, discuss how the challenges and experiences faced on these journeys shape the characters. Identify at least 3 significant events that underscore the importance of the journey in shaping the adventurers. How do the different settings they travel through on their journey reflect or contrast with the internal struggles each character faces? Utilize text details from a variety of locations in the story and cite any direct quotes appropriately.

2. Throughout the novel, songs and verse play a crucial role, often reflecting the histories and cultures of Middle-earth. Select one of the songs presented in the novel and analyze its significance to the character who sings it in a 3-paragraph essay. Consider what the song’s lyrics and the context of its performance reveal about the singer’s identity, heritage, conflicts, or emotional state. Additionally, discuss how the song connects to larger themes within the novel and enriches the reader’s understanding of the world Tolkien has created. Does it foreshadow events to come, recall a historical event, embody a particular aspect of the novel’s mythology, or have some other purpose? How does this musical interlude contribute to the depth and meaning of the work as a whole? Utilize text details and cite at least 1 direct quote appropriately.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. How does Frodo’s perspective on adventure change from the beginning to the end of the book?

A) He becomes more excited about adventures as the story progresses.

B) He grows convinced that travels far from home are unwarranted and unwise.

C) He becomes more apprehensive and aware of the dangers involved.

D) He remains unchanged, maintaining a romantic view of adventure throughout.

2. In what way is Boromir’s view of the One Ring different from Aragorn’s?

A) Boromir sees it as a curse, whereas Aragorn sees it as a blessing.

B) Boromir views it as a tool for power and glory; Aragorn sees it as a dangerous burden.

C) Boromir wishes to destroy it immediately, while Aragorn wishes to use it first.

D) Boromir thinks of it as a source of peril, and Aragorn views it as a sign of hope.

3. What most influences Sam’s decision to continue with Frodo?

A) His loyalty and concern for Frodo’s well-being

B) His promise to Gandalf

C) His curiosity about elves and other lands

D) The allure of becoming a hero in his own right

4. What does the changing relationship between Legolas and Gimli most strongly symbolize in the broader context of Middle-earth?

A) The transient nature of alliances in war

B) The importance of rivalry to push oneself to greatness

C) The superiority of one race over another

D) The potential for ancient prejudices to be overcome

5. Of these examples, which character’s actions best exemplify the motif of sacrifice?

A) Merry and Pippin’s decision to join the Fellowship

B) Gandalf’s stand against the Balrog

C) Frodo’s initial offer to carry the Ring

D) Legolas’s scouting ahead for danger

6. How does the cloaked and faceless appearance of the Black Riders contribute to the story’s atmosphere?

A) By humanizing the Ringwraiths and making them relatable to the reader

B) By providing a clear and identifiable villain for the heroes to confront

C) By demonstrating the uniformity and lack of individuality in Sauron’s forces

D) By creating an aura of mystery and fear through their unknown and hidden nature

7. What does Tom Bombadil’s decision to remain isolated from the struggles over the Ring suggest about his character?

A) He is unaware of the seriousness of the threat that the Ring poses.

B) He lacks the courage to confront evil directly.

C) He is focused solely on his own domain and believes in the autonomy of all beings.

D) He represents the idea that not all powers or beings will be involved in the world’s fate.

8. How does Frodo’s stabbing at Weathertop influence subsequent events in the story?

A) It leads to the hastened journey to Rivendell in search of healing.

B) It causes a rift within the Fellowship as they blame each other for the incident.

C) It slows the Fellowship’s progress as they go in search of weapons to defend themselves.

D) It results in the Ring being lost and temporarily falling into enemy hands.

9. What does the revelation of Strider’s true identity as Aragorn indicate about themes of identity and legacy in the novel?

A) Legacy is an inescapable trap that determines one’s path.

B) True identity can be masked by appearance and circumstance.

C) One’s past deeds are more important than their lineage.

D) Identity is solely created by one’s immediate actions.

10. How does the One Ring’s potential for invisibility comment on the nature of power and its influence on perception in Middle-earth?

A) It suggests that true power is found in the visible acts of heroism and battle.

B) It demonstrates that invisibility is an undesirable trait leading to negative outcomes.

C) It implies that power can be most effective when it is hidden or unseen.

D) It underscores the idea that visibility is ultimately a force for good.

11. What is the effect of Gandalf’s fall on the dynamics of the Fellowship?

A) It leads to Frodo taking on the role of the group’s leader.

B) It creates a power struggle between Aragorn and Legolas.

C) It causes the Fellowship to abandon their quest out of despair.

D) It forces each member to confront their personal commitment to the quest.

12. What does the escape from the barrow-wights foreshadow about the Hobbits’ capabilities?

A) It underscores their need for Gandalf’s constant protection.

B) It demonstrates their resourcefulness and growing courage.

C) It suggests that they are immune to the powers of darkness.

D) It proves their invincibility when together as a group.

13. In the song “The Road Goes Ever On,” sung by Bilbo and later by Frodo, what does the road symbolize?

A) The lifelong journey and the unknown destiny that awaits

B) The inevitable return to home and familiarity

C) The monotonous routines of daily hobbit life

D) The unchanging nature of the Shire and its people

14. What is the significance of the gifts Galadriel gives to the members of the Fellowship?

A) They serve as tokens of guidance for the Fellowship’s uncertain path.

B) The gifts are meant to showcase the mystical power of the Elves.

C) The gifts each reflect the individual’s personality and foreseen challenges.

D) They symbolize enduring friendship and the unity of the Fellowship.

15. How does Butterbur represent the dichotomy of trust and skepticism in the novel?

A) He trusts the hobbits, showing kindness in a suspicious time.

B) His welcoming inn contrasts with the outside secrecy.

C) His ease of being misled shows the risk to the unwary.

D) He is cautious with strangers, reflecting a world losing trust.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How does Tolkien personify nature to reflect and underscore the struggles and emotions of the characters?

2. How does Frodo’s decision to leave the Shire reflect his understanding of responsibility?