hobbit

THE HOBBIT 2009

Talks

• Talks on "The Hobbit"

Reading Tasks

• 11c 2008 09/Old Reading Tasks

For Thursday, 2nd April: Read chapters XIX and XX.

Last job: → NOTES!

• 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 or teach the reader?
• Be prepared to read out or better tell the class about your final two findings!

On Thursday, 26th March: Read chapter XVI, pages 311-316!

• Work quietly!
• In this passage, Bilbo is said to fully turn into a modern, everyman hero. Thus he appears very different from heroes like Thorin - typical, epic (warrior) heroes.

Task 1: Look at the two lists of criteria for classical and modern anti heroes! Write out notes that will help you to complete task 2:

• For traditional heroes see: The heroic pattern (Elements 3, 4, 5)
• For modern anti-heroes see: Anti-heroes → NOTES!

Task 2 Compare the two types of heroes: → NOTES!

• Use the criteria you have found in task 1!

• How do they feel about the treasure / fighting?
• What does "honour" mean for them?
• What do they fight for?
• How do they react to problems/challenges?
• What is the most important difference between them?

Findings

Goblins/Orcs - a characterization

• ugly, stinky
• live in the mountains
• rude creatures
• untidy and dirty
• eat everything they find, e.g. ponies, horses etc.
• rough, horrible stony voices
• evil, cruel, wicked, clever, bad hearted
• can tunnel and mine well
• are able to manufacture weapons and torture instruments, e.g. hammers, axes, swords, daggers, pickaxes
• hate everybody/everything
• can smell footsteps, see well in the dark
• hate the sun, only live in the dark
• are afraid of eagles
• hate woodmen
• are not afraid of fire

Epic Hero

Are Thorin, Gandalf, Bilbo, Bard .... epic heroes?

An article in wikipedia, that no longer exists in this form, said:

An epic hero is a larger than life figure from a history or legend, usually favoured by or even partially descended from deities, but aligned more closely with mortal figures in popular portrayals. The hero participates in a cyclical journey or quest, faces adversaries that try to defeat him in his journey, gathers allies along his journey, and returns home significantly transformed by his journey. The epic hero illustrates traits, performs deeds, and exemplifies certain morals that are valued by the society from which the epic originates. They usually embody cultural and religious beliefs of the people. Many epic heroes are recurring characters in the legends of their native culture. Epic heroes are superhuman in that they are smarter, stronger, and braver than average humans. An epic hero can also be a warrior of some sort who performs extraordinary tasks that most find difficult. This hero is strong, smart and brave. Stories involving epic heroes tend to be long poems recited in a rhythmic manner. The use of repetition in the elements of the story, as well as the rhythm, allows storytellers to memorize the story in a more reliable manner. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_Hero. 4.3.2008

Bard - an epic hero?

• kills the dragon
• has important ancestors
• is modest
• has a special weapon (black arrow)
• risks his life for others
• supernatural qualities (can understand birds)
• doesn't want the treasure for himself

==> unselfish

• brave and clever
• very good bowman/warrior
• leader of men
• "rebirth": people think he is dead
• classical showdown
• only one who realizes the danger

• Good link on features of epic heroes

Thorin - a classical epic warrior-hero? has a magical weapon brave leader of the dwarves wants the treasure/his heritage back dies fighting in the end last words are very heroical, honorable, honest quest to the end of the world rather stays in prison than to betray his friends comes from a royal family confronts the powers of death in the form of monsters crosses the water to come to his treasure symbolic rebirth But: is not always brave (Smaug) wants the treasure only for himself is a rather small person (dwarf) risks the life of his companions, especially of Bilbo

Bilbo - the modern everyman anti-hero? Thief He`s a small guy - a Hobbit Doesn`t want too much action always wants to go home betrays his friends and king He`s very clumsy hates fighting/escapes from battle doesn`t want the treasure no royal parents he`s no real leader of men But rescues his friends he often fights if he has to travels to the very end of the earth he`s a very important guy in the end wants to save others from terrible battle has a magical ring/sword important deal with the king

The Dragon

Role of the dragon in the story ...

• necessary final opponent, hero must win ultimate battle
• necessary final climax: a fight against the dragon
• the whole story leads up to the dragon → target to reach
• dragons are hard to kill → shows if hero is really "good"
• hero(es) have to combine their power and skills/have to give their best
• dragon stands for power, danger, immortality, evil (<= in Western mythology)
• dragons are very intelligent opponents, fascinating, mysterious, impressive
• hero has to overcome his worst fears (he is so small, may be burned, can't fly ....)

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Function and Effects of Fairy Tales

The Hobbit - a Fairy Tale?

• The Effect of Classic Fairy Tales on Readers and Society by Kenny Fong.

Yes:

• omniscient narrator that comments on charcters and speaks directly to the reader
• typical setting (dark wood, secret castles)
• talking animals, dwarves, wizards and hobbits as main characters
• hope that the heroes will survive the adventure, hero must overcome many obstacles
• theme of good against bad/ heroes against villains
• magical devices (swords, the ring)

Fairy Tales help to educate children

• learning by good and bad examples/models -> consequences of good and bad actions become clear
• moral: children shouldn´t trust everyone
• idea: don´t give up your dream and work hard to live it
• learn how to face and handle problems (with siblings, overcome your fears)
• unselfishness will be rewarded
• learn about bad and good, learn rules
• learn that you "can do it, if you want it"
• to form a better, more peaceful society
• children to help friends in bad situations
• children to endure hardship
• society to teach children the basic values of society/personal conduct

... entertain us

... while educating us

....help you to escape

• from your dreary everyday world
• from a world were good is not always rewared and evil is not always punished
• to a place where you can identify with the princess/prince/hero ....

Development of the atmosphere on pages 158 - 162

How is this effect achieved?

• "There were no more deer"
• "shadow of a great bear"
• "don't leave the path"
• "they were in despair"
• "forest was waiting for them like a black and frowning wall"
• "turned from the light ... into the forest"
• "now began the most dangerous part of all the journey"
• "that depends on your luck"
• "and with a tremendous slice of luck you may come out one day"
• "there are no safe paths in this part of the world"
• Gandalf leaves them
• "Grey Mountains, and orcs of the worst description"