The Hobbit
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Read Chapter XV!
Stop after you have finished the song on pp. 304 / 305.
- What is he function of this song?
- How can Thorin's reaction to Bard's requests be explained?
Read the remaining chapters over the holidays!!
Chapters XVI – XVII
Bilbo is said to fully turn into a modern, not just a typical, epic (warrior) hero. What do you think about this? NOTES!
Chapters XVIII – XIX
- Try to sum up what Bilbo has lost and gained in the end! NOTES!
- What do you think of Bilbo's development throughout the book and what does it tell the reader? NOTES!
FINISH your NOTES!
Dragon: Symbolism in Christian/Western tradition
Smaug and dragons
- snakelike animals with wings stand for the devil
- can spit fire
Bilbo and dragonslayers
- dragonslayers are Catholic saints, Bilbo is not
- Bilbo does not kill the dragon
- fights with words
- Bilbo gets a part of the treasure
→ not a typical dragonslayer
Function of Smaug in the story
- antagonist = test for the hero → development
- evil part of the story
- major enemy at the end of the story
- would be boring to steel a treasure that is not guarded by anything
- dramatic end
→ no development if there is no dragon
Characterization
Bilbo Baggins - The Hobbit
- likes to drink
- eats five times a day (plenty and often)
- he is tiny (smaller than the dwarves), hairy and leathery feet, curly hair, no beard, fat in the stomach, doesn't wear shoes
- good-natured face
- smokes crack
- wealthy
- afraid of danger
- doesn't want his Took part to come out
- comfort-loving
- middle-aged
- predictable
- chicken-hearted
- shy
- extremely polite
- friendly
- hospitable
- folksy
Smaug
- vast red-golden dragon
- dreams of greed and violence
- knows his treasure exactly and recognises if something is missing
- strong
- can smell, hear very well
- can keep half an eye open watching while he sleeps
- fascinated about riddling talk
- seems to be smart
- cruel
- can spit fire
- has an armour made of gems with a hole in it
- clever in manipulating
- likes ponies *yummy*
Questions on Chapter 3
Terms on tension, excitement and premonitions
- p. 54: "They had begun to feel that danger was not far away on either side"
- p. 55: "[...]Not for the last time!"
- p. 55: "We must not miss the road, or we shall be done for"
- p. 56: "There were moths fluttering about, and the light became very dim, for the moon had not risen"
- p. 64: "Now they rode away amid songs of farewell and good speed, with their hearts ready for more adventure, and with the knowledge of the road they must follow over the Misty Mountains to the land beyond"
Images of the elves
- songs are used to express the soft and musical side
- quite friendly although they make fun of visitors
- seem to be omniscient, ‘cause they know details about Bilbo and his journey
- they are informed and interested in news
- elves character is dominated by helpfulness
The mentioned features are based on several rhetorical devices:
- elves sing their songs in the direct way, songs are not retold
- moreover dialogs in direct speech between them and the visitors
The expected role of the elves after chapter 3
- the elves can be expected to be the omniscient supporters of the journey’s members
- give hints and helps when they are most needed
What must the travellers expect on their way?
- danger
- adventures
- strains
- riddles
- They are going to see
- ...dragons
- ...gobblins
- ...strange creatures
- ...elves
- ...places they have never seen before
--> stressful journey
