J.R.R TOLKIEN’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

1. J.R.R TOLKIEN’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings • By: Natasha Ng

2. Tolkien • John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was an English writer and poet who is best known as the author of the classic high-fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. • Born: January 3, 1892, Bloemfontein, South Africa • Died: September 2, 1973, Bournemouth, United Kingdom

3. Tolkien’s inspirations in writing • Tolkien’s writing is very precise with detail; he studied fairytales and folklore, which drove up his own imagination to create Middle Earth in The Hobbit and the trilogy that follows.

4. THE HOBBIT • + • THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGS

5. The whole story of The Hobbit is basically about Bilbo being a really adventurous hobbit, which is really unusual for Hobbit of Hobbiton. He goes on an adventure with Thorin’s company and Gandalf to retrieve the One Ring. The Hobbit

6. Before reading The Lord of the Rings, you must understand that…

7. The Fellowship of the Rings happens 67 years after the adventure that Bilbo Baggins experienced in The Hobbit.

8. Introduction to Frodo • Frodo is an only child and an orphan who comes to live with Bilbo at Bag End at the age of 21 (hobbits don't come of age until they reach 33). After Bilbo's surprise exit from his 111th birthday party — which happens also to be Frodo's 33rd birthday — Frodo inherits his entire estate, along with his magic gold ring, which Gandalf tells Bilbo to leave behind. The ring is the One Ring, and Frodo is taken to account for being responsible and guiding the ring to his own hands because of what Bilbo has left as a “gift” for Frodo.

9. The first BOOK of The Lord of the Rings takes place in a whole entire different world, where you MUST know that Bilbo is the fostering parent of Frodo

10. The Council of Elrond takes place in Book II, but many other adventures (like Bilbo’s adventures to Rivendell) took place beforehand (in The Hobbit) and in Book I (mostly taking place in the Shire). Now, Book II is mostly taking place OUTSIDE of the Shire.

11. In Book I, Frodo is introduced to this new world, as Bilbo enjoys fostering him and happily enjoys the later time of his life. But then he disappears, so Frodo is left with the responsibility to take care of the One Ring that Gandalf has instructed Bilbo to leave behind.

12. Without Gandalf’s help throughout all of the books, everyone would have died from all the difficulties they faced, such as the Black Riders, Gollum, the Battle of the Five Armies.

13. The Fellowship of the Ring is formed at The Council of Elrond

14. Main Characters who joined the Council • Elrond: head of the Council. • Gandalf: the wise wizard • Frodo Baggins: the Ring-bearer • Bilbo Baggins: the Ring-bearer before Frodo • Glorfindel: aided Frodo earlier on his travel to Rivendell. • Erestor: one of the advisers of Elrond's household. • Aragorn: a Ranger, and heir of Isildur, Isildur’s great-great-great-great-grandson • Boromir: son of Gondor. • Glóin and his son Gimli: sent by Dáin to warn Bilbo about a messenger from Mordor who appeared at the gate of Erebor, and asked for information of the One Ring. • Legolas: was sent by his father Thranduil with ill news about Gollum and is a wood elf • Galdor: and elf from the Grey Havens

15. The chapter talks about the history of the One Ring, the Ring that Bilbo has, in a very descriptive manner, and Elrond along with all the other creatures in the Council chime in with details and back stories of the One Ring. What the chapter is about #1: The History of the Ring

16. What the chapter is about #2: Gandalf’s journey to save the Hobbits • Gandalf also talks about how he journeyed to Orthanc, the tower of Saruman, where he learned that Saruman, the greatest of the Wizards, tried to join forces with Mordor to get the Ring for himself. When Gandalf didn’t want to to join the side of Mordor, Saruman locked him in the tower of Orthanc until a Great Eagle, came and rescued Gandalf. Then, Gandalf tamed Shadowfax, one of the best horses, and rode him back to the Shire. Gandalf missed the hobbits and Aragorn at Bree, and then went on to Weathertop, where he battled the Black Riders. The wizard then made his way to Rivendell, arriving at the nick of time, to flood the ford, and then fought of some of the Black Riders away from the hobbits as they continued on with their journey.

17. What the chapter is about #3: The formation of the Fellowship • The council didn’t know what to do with the ring, so then Gloin decides to use it to fight Sauron, but Elrond tells him that it’s not a good idea. Bilbo joins in, telling everyone that it is obvious that Elrond is saying that old Bilbo himself should take the Ring to Mordor. Gandalf disagrees, and there is a big sigh in the crowd. After a long, heavy silence, Frodo feels the urge to suddenly speak up. He says he will take the Ring himself, “though I do not know the way.” Elrond agrees, saying that it is very troublesome, but he knows that Frodo is the one who must endure this pain.

18. Bilbo’s part in The Council • Bilbo becomes very important because he was the ring-bearer, and he also adds in details for Frodo to understand what he must do and not do. He is very worried about his own dear Frodo, and he knows this might be the last chance he will see Frodo if he doesn't come along.

19. Bilbo’s perfection • Since Bilbo went back to Hobbiton in The Hobbit after his long years of adventuring, he has become very arrogant, but really perfect - not imperfect at all. Although he is arrogant and very determined, he still has a heart to continue going on their journey, but as he loses his role in being the ring bearer, he becomes jealous of Frodo and becomes very passive aggressive. • But… Do you think he’s perfect?

20. “Bilbo laughed. ‘I have never known you give me pleasant advice before,’ he said. ‘As all of your unpleasant advice has been good, I wonder if this advice is not bad…” • Bilbo’s jealousy and attachment to the ring is persistent

21. Analysis for The Council of Elrond • The Council of Elrond opens Book II, and dwells on happenings from the past, establishing deeper meaning for the book. For example, Gandalf speaking of his journey to Orthanc, as the Eagles help him etc., and it also states that Bilbo himself is willing to sacrifice himself for Frodo.

22. Frodo’s Suffering • The Journey of his pain

24. Frodo suffers • As The Council of Elrond continues, Frodo suffers. He suffers from various things: keeping the Ring (which he isn’t allowed to put on - he might turn into Gollum), his willingness to sacrifice himself just for the Ring; he gets stabbed on Weathertop, he suffers hunger, and guilt for bringning his friends into this mess.

25. Frodo’s internal struggle • As Frodo continues on with his journey, he learns that the must release the fear inside him, and must free his internal struggles. His struggles are keeping updated with the team, being brave enough to conquer his fears, having control and leading the company.

26. His Problems

27. 1) Don’t put on the ring • Frodo suffers tremendously, having to control his desire to put on the One Ring, as he nearly did when he knew the Black Riders came back for him, but he remembered that Gandalf had reminded him not to put it on. Also, in a very telling description, Frodo is said to be twisting and squirming during this struggle. He accidentally slips on the Ring so the Black Riders would not be able to see him, but this is a complete mistake. The Black Riders are closely attached to the Rings, and have wanted to find the Ring for a very long time. Suddenly, Tolkien tells us, Frodo becomes aware of himself again and takes off the Ring in the nick of time.

28. 2) Have courage • Frodo was a wimp and a coward in the start, but after having Gandalf’s and Bilbo’s guidance, he starts gaining self esteem. He also had self doubt, but in The Council of Elrond, he says he will take the ring “though I do not know the way.” He also shows courage after crossing the ford of Bruinen at the border of Rivendell, where he defies the Black Riders who've come to take him back to Mordor. 

29. 3) Conquer his fears • In order for Frodo to complete his journey, he has to conquer his fears. Tolkien doesn’t directly state Frodo’s fears, but we can infer that one of Frodo’s fears are the Black Riders, and in the end, he manifests a courage that he does not recognise, but Gandalf knows he has it.

30. THE END ENJOY THE REST OF THE BOOK(S) Natasha Ng (Authority on all things Roald Dahl, John Bellairs, and Tolkien)