The Hobbit

The Hobbit

• Genre: Fiction; fantasy/adventure
• Originally Published: 1937
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 1000L; grades 7-12
• Structure/Length: 19 chapters; approximately 333 pages; approximately 10 hours, 25 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The novel follows Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who is unexpectedly thrust into an epic adventure when he is recruited by the wizard Gandalf and a group of dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield. Together, they embark on a quest to reclaim the dwarves’ homeland from the dragon Smaug. The narrative traces their journey through the mystical and dangerous land of Middle Earth as they face various challenges and dangers including trolls, goblins, and elves. Bilbo’s personal growth and transformation from a timid hobbit into a brave adventurer are central to the story.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Fantasy violence; mythical creatures and dangers

J.R.R. Tolkien, Author

• Bio: Born 1892, deceased 1973; English writer, philologist, and professor; widely regarded as one of the most influential fantasy authors of the 20th century; known for his richly imagined fictional worlds and languages, including Middle Earth; The Hobbit is a prelude to his epic fantasy trilogy The Lord of the Rings; works often explore themes of heroism, friendship, and the battle between good and evil
• Other Works: The Lord of the Rings trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring (1954), The Two Towers (1954), The Return of the King (1955); The Silmarillion (1977); The Children of Húrin (2007); The Unfinished Tales (1980)
• Awards: New York Herald Tribune Best Fiction for Juveniles (1938); Carnegie Medal in Literature (nomination; 1939)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The Importance of Friendship and Companionship
• Duty as a Governing Moral and a Guiding Force
• The Sustaining Love of Home and Family

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the fantastical and social contexts regarding the importance of companionship and duty that drive Baggins’s and the dwarves’ adventure.
• Read and discuss paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of The Importance of Friendship and Companionship, Duty as a Governing Moral and a Guiding Force, and The Sustaining Love of Home and Family.
• Analyze, plan, and write multiple character memoir entries that incorporate textual details and cited evidence, demonstrating in-depth understanding of the novel’s main plot points, themes, and characters.
• Analyze and evaluate the key narrative points, characters, themes, and symbols to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding the fantasy genre, the importance of companionship, and other topics.