Respite, Community, and Solitude The Hobbit Pages 105-129

Bilbo Does Not Like It Metaphor of sun in his eyes Juxtaposition of tea, toast, and bacon with cold mutton and rabbit

Rhetorical Question “What is finer than flying?” (105) The eagle implies that nothing is better The fact that the answer is implied makes the question rhetorical

For your consideration All three of the following are examples of what literary technique? “Bilbo never saw them again-except high and far off in the battle of Five Armies. But as that comes in at the end of this tale we will say no more about it just now.” (106) “I may look in on it again before it is all over.” (106) “In fact it would be very dangerous.” (107)

Your Adventure? When Gandalf says that this is not his adventure, he is clarifying that he is not the protagonist. He acts as a device to advance the plot, not the main actor in the plot.

Who is “somebody?” Using both italics and capitalization, Tolkien intentionally increases tension and suspense when discussing whom the party is to meet The implication is that this person is powerful, important, and possibly dangerous

Names and Words Remember, for Tolkien, names and words have much meaning. Thus, it further reveals his power that this somebody can name a thing (Carrock) Furthermore, his own name, Beorn, reveals much about his own essence

Beorn Huge association with nature Not much social courtesy Hates goblins Not materialistic

For your consideration “In the old days, he had known the very part of the mountains that Gandalf was describing.” (116) What literary technique is Tolkien using here? What earlier part of Beorn’s story helps one to understand this idea?

Dark and Light Note the interplay and battle between light and dark in the description of Beorn’s house at night. Note that Beorn goes out at night to confront the dark. Also note the function of dark, light, personification, and pathetic fallacy in the song on page 119, as Tolkien has this song for the purpose of imagery

Gandalf Leaves Again Clarifies motivations of dwarves (128) Facetious tone lightens the mood Off to conduct larger business (verisimilitude)

Verbal Irony Saying one thing and meaning the exact opposite “...dear old Smaug” (129) “Very comforting you are…” (129)

For your consideration Just as Tolkien includes many kinds of leaders, he also includes many individuals who are somewhat heroic. What characters have heroic qualities? What qualities do they have in common? What qualities differentiate them from each other? What character is the most heroic? Why?