Comp Questions 1
What kind of mark does Gandalf put on Bilbo’s door?
Gandalf places written ruins which represent large danger + great reward + burglary.
What two things does Gandalf give Thorin? How did the dwarves lose their treasure and kingdom?
Gandalf gives Thorin a key and map. The dwarves lost their kingdom to Smaug the oppressor.
What important discovery does Elrond make regarding Thorin’s map? What does it suggest about Thorin that he owns the map for years and never notices what Elrond notices right away?
He notices moon letters and another message. Thorin didn't really pay attention to any details of the map.
What does Bilbo take from the hoard?
A golden cup.
This is the "Marxist" interpretation.
What is a reading of the text as an expression of contemporary class struggle?
When is Durin’s Day? What is significant about this day as it relates to Bilbo’s quest?
It is the firs day of the Dwarf New Year. That is the day that the secret entrance to the mountain will open.
Why does the expedition take shelter in the cave?
There is a storm outside as well as stone giants fighting each other with rocks.
How does Gandalf rescue Bilbo and the dwarves?
Gandalf saves them by killing the great goblin and distracting the other goblins and enemies.
What is the most important thing Bilbo learns from Smaug?
Smaug was missing a scale above his left-breast plate.
The definition of "determinism" as it relates to Marxist literary theory.
What is Marx theorized that human beings are the product of their social and economic environment?
How does Bilbo know his sword was made by elves?
When they fought the goblins his sword glowed a bright blue.
Which of the dwarves is the most surprised to see Bilbo?
Balin is the most surprised to see Bilbo.
What is the proverb that Bilbo invents?
Never laugh at live dragons.
Out of the frying pan, and into the fire.
Escaping goblins to be caught by wolves.
Why are the people of Esgaroth angry with Thorin?
They blame him for attracting Smaug to Lake-Town.
Literature is not simply a matter of personal expression or taste. It is something else.
What is it somehow relates to the social and political conditions of the time?
Why won’t the Eagles fly near where men live?
They are afraid to get near the mountain where Smaug lies.
What eventually interests Beorn about the dwarves’ tales? What group(s) of creatures does Beorn seem to dislike?
How does Bilbo rescue the dwarves? What skills does he use to defeat the spiders?
He uses the ring and his sword to kill the spiders. He was brave enough to get close to the spiders and kill them.
What is Bilbo’s plan to avoid war?
To trade the Arkenstone to Bard to pay for the grievances between Bard and Thorin.
What Marx called the economic conditions of life and what it included.
What is the base or infrastructure that includes everything from technology and raw materials to the social organization of the workplace?
Why, where, and how are the dwarves imprisoned? Why wasn’t Bilbo imprisoned as well?
They were tired after their fight with the spiders and were caught by wood elves. Bilbo escaped because of the ring.
What is the history of the relationship between the dwarves and the men?
Back when the dwarves owned the mountain, there were a lot of commerce between the two races. So they were always waiting for the King under the mountain to come back so they could prosper.
What causes the door to appear? Should the dwarves have predicted this event? Why didn’t they?
The thrush was holding a snail and banged it against a rock and the rock cracked. Probably should have predicted that it was Durin's Day.
Name the armies in the Battle of Five Armies.
Goblins, men, dwarves, wolves, elves.
What Marx said and thought about literature and its function in a economical society.
What is propaganda for the ruling class to keep the lower class poor and the ruling class rich?