Guide to The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit

The Hobbit is a book and is the prequel to the Lord of the Rings.

Chapters

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Beginner warning: Details follow which you may not wish to read at your current level.
Chapter 1: An Unexpected Party
Chapter 2: Roast Mutton
Chapter 3: A Short Rest
Chapter 4: Over Hill and Under Hill
Chapter 5: Riddles in the Dark
Chapter 6: Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire
Chapter 7: Queer Lodgings
Chapter 8: Flies and Spiders
Chapter 9: Barrels Out of Bond
Chapter 10: A Warm Welcome
Chapter 11: On the Doorstep
Chapter 12: Inside Information
Chapter 13: Not at Home
Chapter 14: Fire and Water
Chapter 15: The Gathering of the Clouds
Chapter 16: A Thief in the Night
Chapter 17: The Clouds Burst
Chapter 18: The Return Journey
Chapter 19: The Last Stage

Overview

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The Hobbit is set in a time of fantasy and lore and follows the quest of home-loving hobbit Bilbo Baggins to win a share of the treasure guarded by Smaug the dragon. Bilbo's journey takes him from light-hearted, rural surroundings into more sinister territory.

The story is told in the form of an episodic quest, and most chapters introduce a specific creature or type of creature of Tolkien's geography. Bilbo gains a new level of maturity, competence, and wisdom by accepting the disreputable, romantic, fey, and adventurous sides of his nature and applying his wits and common sense. The story reaches its climax in the Battle of the Five Armies, where many of the characters and creatures from earlier chapters re-emerge to engage in conflict.


Extended Analysis

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