The Fellowship of the Ring: Book One

By J.R.R. Tolkein

English 12 Honors - Lomauro

Book One

Ch. 1

  1. What is noteworthy about Bilbo Baggins’s appearance since he’s come into possession of the ring?
  1. Bilbo is planning a grand party for his ______birthday, which is also Frodo’s ______birthday.
  1. What announcement does Bilbo make at his birthday party?
  1. What is the relationship between Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins?
  1. What is the ugly rumor in the Shire about the death of Frodo’s parents?
  1. Describe Bilbo’s demeanor as he leaves the ring behind with Gandalf.
  1. During this exchange, Bilbo refers to the ring as “my ______,” which were the same words used by ______.
  1. What two warnings does Gandalf give Frodo in terms of the ring?

Ch. 2

  1. What rumors have been circulating around the Shire since Bilbo’s departure? What news does Gandalf bring when he finally comes back to visit Frodo?
  1. Characterize Frodo’s relationship with/feelings about the ring in this Chapter.
  1. Gandalf gives a history of the ring in Ch. 2. Summarize it.
  1. Who are Smeagol and Deagol?
  1. How did Bilbo end up with the ring?
  1. Why can’t the ring be destroyed? Why can’t Gandalf take it?
  1. What painful realization does Frodo make at the end of Ch. 2? Explore the significance.
  1. Who is Sam Gamgee? How does he end up becoming involved the business of the ring?

Ch. 3

  1. In what ways is Bag End becoming uncomfortable for Frodo? Give specific details.
  1. Describe the mystery surrounding the Black Riders that appear in this chapter. Do they resemble any other characters you’ve encountered in modern literature?
  1. Who is Gildor? What function does he serve, according to Joseph Campbell’s monomyth?

Ch. 4-6

  1. What kind of character is Sam? Discuss specific traits and evidence of such.
  1. Analyze the moment when Merry reveals that they know about Frodo’s plan. What is revealed about the characters?
  1. Analyze Frodo’s dream at the end of Ch. 5.

**See chart on next page.

  1. Explore the personification of the Old Forest.
  1. Who is Tom Bombadil? What makes him remarkable in the context of the other characters?

Ch. 7 &8

1)Using Freudian terminology, interpret Frodo’s dreams:

Frodo’s dream at the end of Ch. 5.

Manifest Content / Latent Content

Frodo’s dream at the beginning of Ch. 7.

Manifest Content / Latent Content

2)Describe Frodo’s feelings at Tom Bombadil “plays with” the ring in Ch. 7.

3)Explain what happens when Frodo realizes he has been captured by the Barrow-wight, and how he is freed.

4)Interpret this passage from Ch. 8: “There is a seed of courage hidden (often deeply, it is true) in the heart of the fattest and most timid hobbit, waiting for some final and desperate danger to make it grow.” What does this mean for Frodo? What does this mean for humans in general?

Ch. 9 & 10

  1. Who is Strider? What aura surrounds him as he is portrayed in Ch. 9?
  1. At the end of Ch. 9, Frodo “accidentally” disappears using the ring. Explore the significance here. What might this reveal about Frodo? About the ring?
  1. In Ch. 10, Frodo reads Gandalf’s letter. What is learned about Strider?
  1. Explore Sam’s distrust of Strider. How does is contribute to his own characterization?

Ch. 11 & 12

  1. In Chapter 11, Tolkien writes: “The hobbits felt refreshed, as if they had had a night of unbroken sleep. Already they were getting used to much walking on short commons—shorter at any rate than what in the Shire they would have thought barely enough to keep them on their legs. Pippin declared that Frodo was looking twice the hobbit that he had been. ‘Very odd,’ said Frodo, tightening his belt, ‘considering that there is actually a good deal less of me. I hope the thinning process will not go on indefinitely or I shall become a wraith.’”

Analyze this passage. There are multiple layers of significance here.

  1. Near the end of Ch. 11, as Frodo is preparing to leave for Rivendell, Tolkien writes: “In that lonely place, Frodo for the first time fully realized his homelessness and danger.

Explore the significance of this statement. Reflect on what is so different about this particular moment.

  1. In what ways is it evident that the hobbits are changing? Consider the idea of change in a liberal way.
  1. At the end of Chapter 12, Frodo is essentially unconscious. Explain how he became that way.

Closure – Whole Class Discussion

Reflect on the stages of “The Hero’s Journey” by Joseph Campbell that we discussed at the start of our study of The Fellowship of the Ring. At this point, at the end of the first half of the novel, which stages has Frodo completed? What lies ahead for him?

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