Chapter 11: On The Door Step
Chapter 12: Inside Information
Chapter 12: Inside Information
Who appears knocking, signaling to Bilbo that the keyhole is about to appear?
Bonus (+100): Who told the company about the thrush and its meaning?
What is the Arkenstone and who values it the most?
The Arkenstone is a great white gem, also known as the heart of the mountain. It is the dwarves’ most valued piece of treasure. Thorin is the one who seeks the stone.
What is another name for Lake-town?
Lake-town is also known as Esgaroth.
Who is Roäc, and what news does he share?
Roäc is an old raven, the son of Carc, who shares the news of Smaug's death.
While serving as a watchman, Bilbo sneaks away and visits whom?
Bilbo sneaks away to visit both Bard and the Wood-elf King.
Bonus (+100): What is the wood-elf king's name?
What makes the secret door so difficult to open when the company discovers it?
The door has no hinges, handles, or creases. It is also a magic door whose keyhole won't appear until the moon of Durin's Day.
Bonus (+100): What made the door hard to find?
How does Bilbo speak with Smaug? Why does he do this?
Bilbo speaks to Smaug in riddles. He does this in order to not reveal his identity, while also not upsetting Smaug with a refusal. Dragons also love riddles.
Bonus (+100): What are three of the names Bilbo gives himself?
How is Bard able to vanquish Smaug? Who helps him do this?
Bard uses a black arrow to hit Smaug's weak spot, killing the dragon.
Bonus (+100): Who helps Bard learn about the weak spot?
Who does Roäc say the company should and should not trust moving forward?
Roäc advises the company to trust Bard, but not to trust the Master of Lake-town.
What news do the ravens bring in this chapter?
The ravens inform Thorin and company that Dain and more than five hundred dwarves, hurrying from the Iron Hills, were now within about two days’ march of Dale.
What is the most important thing Bilbo learns from his conversation with Smaug?
Bilbo learns Smaug has an unarmored patch on his underbelly.
Bonus (+100): Who later overhears this information?
By the end of Chapter 13: Not at Home, what do the dwarves and Bilbo not understand?
Smaug has been seemingly nowhere to be found.
Bonus (+100): Where was Smaug during this chapter? Why was he there?
Who is Bard? What are his role and background?
Bard is a grim-faced man and captain of the archers of Lake-town. He is a descendant of Girion, Lord of Dale.
Bonus (+100): What special ability does Bard possess?
What do the elves and men of Lake-town decide to do as a result of Thorin’s refusal to negotiate with them?
The mountain will be besieged, meaning Thorin and company will not be allowed to leave it.
Bonus (+100): Why will this be a problem?
Which character makes a rather sudden reappearance and what is his reaction to Bilbo's actions in this chapter?
Gandalf (finally) reappears! He expresses pride in Bilbo's decision and reiterates that Bilbo is more than what he seems.
What does Bilbo steal while Smaug sleeps and why?
Bilbo steals a two-handled cup in order to prove/show off he is a burglar.
Bonus (+100): What happens as a result?
What does Bilbo discover at the start of Chapter 13: Not at Home and what does he do with it?
Bilbo discovers the Arkenstone and he decides to pocket it.
Bonus (+100): Why does Bilbo do this?
By the chapter's end, who knows of the death of Smaug? Which of these people is the only one not wanting part of the treasure?
The elves, people of Lake-town, goblins, and Beorn know. Beorn is the only one not interested in the gold.
Bonus (+100): What is Beorn interested in?
Before his meeting the elves and men, what two things from the chapter show Thorin has no intention of peace?
Thorin has fortified the mountain and sent word to his dwarven cousins in order to build an army.
Bonus (+100): Who does Thorin specifically ask Roäc to send for?
What caution does Roäc offer and why does Thorin reject it?
Roäc advises Thorin that he needs to make peace with the men and elves, that war (and his greed for the treasure) will only lead to his downfall.
Thorin rejects the advice because he says his friends and winter will defeat the men and elves.
In his riddling to Smaug, Bilbo names himself “barrel-rider.” What does this accidentally reveal to Smaug and what is the consequence of this revelation?
Bilbo accidentally implicates the people of Lake-town in the scheme to get back the gold. Smaug realizes this and later attacks Lake-town as a result.
Bonus (+100): Though he attacks Lake-town, who does Smaug believe is truly behind the plot to steal the gold back?
What causes dwarves to grow bold? How do we see the dwarves be rather foolishly "bold" in Chapter 13?
Treasure causes dwarves to be bold. In the chapter, the dwarves begin to make merry, talking loudly, singing, and openly taking pieces of the treasure, despite not knowing if Smaug is in the mountain or nearby.
What two arguments does the Master try in order to grasp what power he has left?
1. First he tells his people they can leave with Bard if they like him so much or hold an election where Bard cannot be a candidate.
2. He then tries to turn the blame toward the dwarves, saying they brought Smaug purposefully to destroy Lake-town.
Bonus (+100): Who says this is foolish and why?
What three reasons does Bard give for the dwarves to help Lake-town?
1. The people of Lake-town helped the dwarves on their journey to the Lonely Mountain.
2. Bard is a descendant of Dale, whose wealth is directly connected to that of the dwarves.
3. The dwarves, whether or on purpose or not, were the reason Smaug came to Lake-town.
Bonus (+100): Why does Thorin reject Bard's arguments?
What does Bilbo decide to hand over to the elves and men and why?
Bilbo offers up the Arkenstone for the elves and men to use as a bargaining chip, a sort of last ditch effort for peaceful negotiations between the dwarves, men, and elves.
Bonus (+100): What is the initial reaction of Bard and the Elven King?