The Hobbit

The Hobbit makes use of many standard conventions of adventure stories, the most common being the idea of a quest. In quest stories, the main character must leave home for a journey. In the course of the journey, the character has adventures, makes discoveries, and acquires relationships, returning home as a changed person. Everything from Star Wars (Episode 4) to The Wizard of Oz makes use of this basic plot.

So one way to read The Hobbit is by watching Bilbo's development as a character. Where and how does he change? How is he different at the end of the story?

This is also a bit of a heroic epic, and so presents dramatic enactments of heroism. In this particular literary universe, what qualities does a hero have?

Don't be too distracted by the portions of the Hobbit that set up the Lord of the Rings. While they are details that will be important in that story, they are minor issues in this one.

Greetings, Honors English student:
I hope your summer is off to a fine start. I know that many of you have concerns about the summer reading and the note taking you’re to be doing with the three novels. This letter is intended to help out.

First, the three books you are to read for summer are
The Hobbit
Joy Luck Club
O Henry stories

In the books, you have two jobs to do.

First, highlight or underline any or all of the following:
*Important plot points
*Important character description or dialogue
*Something you think the author said particularly well

Second, make notes in the margin:
*Questions or predictions you come up with
*Insights or explanations about the highlighted portions
*Personal reactions to the story
*Evaluation of what the author is doing, how s/he is doing it, and how successful s/he is
*Analysis of the story, plot, character or theme

You’ve done a good job if someone who didn’t have time to read the whole book could find out everything important by reading your notes.

To help with communication and questions about the class, I’m trying something new this year. I have set up a blog at www.pgreene.blogspot.com. You can ask questions by posting comments there, and I’ll try to answer them quickly.

Hope your summer is going well. I’ll see you in September!

Mr. Greene