The Hobbit Study Guide

The Hobbit Study Guide

Bilbo Baggins is a respectable hobbit - one of a race of small, quiet, country folk who inhabit The Shire, their pastoral corner of Middle-earth. One day he receives an unexpected visit from the great wizard Gandalf and thirteen dwarves. The dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, have decided to return to the land of their ancestors and reclaim the treasure taken from them years before by Smaug, a terrible dragon.

On Gandalf's recommendation, Thorin and his company wish to enlist Bilbo as their burglar. Bilbo would much rather stay at home where he is comfortable, safe, and has a pocket handkerchief. But the idea of adventure appeals to something deep within him and Bilbo is drawn into the quest and soon faces giant spiders, goblins, and worse as he travels the great distance to the Lonely Mountain, where the dwarves' treasure awaits—as does the dragon and war!

Through J.R.R. Tolkien's tale of fantasy, hobbits, adventure, loyalty, and courage, students will learn:

Author Biography: Learn about J.R.R. Tolkien and the fascinating history behind the author and novel.

Vocabulary words used throughout the novel, utilizing a variety of activities to stimulate retention and growth.

Literary Techniques: Characterization, compare and contrast, call to adventure, riddles, epithet, metaphor, simile, proverbs, anthropomorphism, hero’s descent into darkness, true experience, imagery, setting, heroic quest, antonyms, synonyms, parallelism, historical present (tense verbs), paraphrase, irony.

Moral Lessons and Character Values: Unlikely people doing God’s will, good works to do, resisting God’s call, people in exile, Psalms, greed, separation, armor of God, mercy and pity, Christ’s help, never alone, path of wisdom, responsibility, luck, scapegoats, warfare, popularity, generosity, pity, love others, selfishness.

Activities and Writing Assignments: Mapwork, nature of Middle-Earth, instruments & music, character sketches, character creation, setting description, Essays: author’s verbal rhythm, quest analysis, humility & self-confidence, Bilbo, choice and morality, desire and greed, Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, art illustration, diorama, drama/acting, write a sequel.

Suggestions for Further Reading:  We include an in-depth reading list of more books by the same author(s) and other books and movies that tie in with, or are similar to, The Hobbit.

All of the unit lessons are written from a Christian perspective! 

• Age Level = 13 and up
• Book Author = Michael Poteet
• Book Material = Paperback
• Book Publisher = Progeny Press
• Copyright = c2000
• Grade Level = 8-up
• Condition = New