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| Illustration by J.R.R. Tolkien |
And so begins one of the most beloved books of all time.
An early review in the New York Post said: "This book will be worn ragged by boys and girls alike. It has immense charm, genuine wit, and dwarfs which put Snow White's boy friends completely in the shade."
At the same time, a New York Times review said: "One of the most freshly original and delightfully imaginative books for children that has appeared in many a long day...a glorious account of a magnificent adventure, filled with suspense and seasoned with a quiet humor that is irresistible...The tale is packed with valuable hints for the dragon killer and adventurer in Faerie."
Since that time, of course, many other magnificent books for a similar audience have hit the bookshelves - Harry Potter and Hunger Games to name just a few.
Does The Hobbit stand out from current children's/Young Adult contemporary favorites in any way? Is this a book that will last through the ages? In addition to being a great narrative work, is it a lasting classic that will be around for the long haul, like The Odyssey and Beowulf?
I'd like to hear your thoughts about both The Hobbit's literary value and longevity as well as its narrativity. That is, in what unique ways does it function as its own story-telling device? One example of this can be found in the opening pages:
The mother of our particular hobbit - what is a hobbit? I suppose hobbits need some description nowadays, since they have become rare and shy of the Big People, as they call us.
Here the narrative text slips into the role of indiscrete story-teller. We can literally hear Tolkien (or our own grandparent) telling this story to his children (or to us) and stopping in mid-sentence to answer his children's (or our) question. [One of you rightly noticed this on your notecard this week - lovely.]
So in pithy, Tolkiensian prose, comment on this text's "greatness" (or not, depending on your view) and its "story-tellingness."
Comments are due by MONDAY 28 NOVEMBER, which is a long ways away. You might want to set a phone alert as a reminder. Happy Thanksgiving!
The Hobbit is a unique children’s book that will last through the ages, much like The Odyssey and Beowulf. The extraordinary content, along with the clever “Tolkiensian prose” ensure its lasting fame and success. In Out of the Silent Planet, a comment is made to the “author” about including details in the story, because readers really do think of such things. Tolkien seems to agree with his colleague C.S. Lewis, and provides intricate details about the setting and characters that may not be essential to the action of the story, but are absolutely necessary for the inquisitive reader. The line “Yes, I am afraid trolls do behave like that, even those with only one head each” (Page 40) exemplifies this writing characteristic. While the thought of some trolls having multiple craniums is not crucial to the action, it paints a clearer picture of the gruesomeness Bilbo is about to endure.
ReplyDeleteThe songs that Tolkien includes also set this narrative apart from other literary works. Tolkien has delved into the culture of each species, and provided examples of their arts. The dwarves sing of “long-forgotten gold” (Page 31), giving them a more somber persona, while elves lightheartedly chirp “O! tra-la-la-lally” (Page 54) and the goblins wickedly chant “Bake and toast ‘em, fry and roast ‘em! Till beards blaze, and eyes glaze” (Page 116). These lyrics set the mood of the scene, and provide the reader with insight to the character species’ identity.
Finally, Tolkien provides for his young adult audience. After they have grown older and graduated from The Hobbit, there are three more books concerning Middle Earth for them to satisfy their curiosity, while reading at a at a higher level. In this way, the adventures, magic, and excitement can continue from youth into adulthood, making these books timeless classics.
The Hobbit is undeniably a book that will last the ages. It may not appeal to the masses like some of the contemporary works; however, I don't think its audience will ever abandon the story.
ReplyDeleteTolkien has a knack for story-telling and great detail. He leaves little to the imagination, and this may be where I have problems. The creatures of The Hobbit are his, no doubt, but he goes through such pains to describe each one and their habits that it almost seems a book more of descriptions than a book of adventure. That's not to say it is only a book of description. The band of dwarfs and Bilbo do seem to have plenty of run-ins with danger; I just don't think Tolkien has spent enough time with the characters themselves. He simply spends too much time talking about their species' habits.
Tolkien very much deserves the acclaim his books receive. For, though very much targeted at a very specific audience, his prose has a certain familiarity to it that allows one to hear the story being read rather than read it himself.
Does The Hobbit standout in young adult contemporary favorites in anyway? Yes, I would pretty much say that it is one of the early greats of its kind. Most people that are into fairy tales and dragons, I assume have a world of good to say about this narrative. It will be around for a long time, I also suppose too. You can't really damage its reputation, it is also in movie form. I sort of see what you are saying about Tolkien's writing style and him explaining in his own words, what he portrays is magic. But more than that he is like Glandalf more than anybody, leading around his troop. I guess that is uniqueness and how it functions as a storytelling device. Glandalf is the brain works of the book so far like Tolkien is the author. Although you could say that that style of writing is some what disturbing, "Literally hearing Tolkien." You could also say that he might be just really jazzed about writing fantasy fairy tales.
ReplyDeleteI would say that this novel does standout in adult contemporary. Not only does it answer untied ends and questions from the films that were shown in previous years but the charm is a wonderfully light feeling given to the reader. While reading the Hobbit thus far, I have enjoyed the light drifting of my own imagination through the events and locations that Tolkein describes.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite aspect is the parallel to Beowulf with the idea of searching for fame and glory. The first spot that I found this in the story was on page 21, where Bilbo Baggins feels that he will "go without bed and breakfast to be thought fierce." This is like Beowulf and how he would perform challenge after challenge in order to remain famous and glorified. Fame and Glory is also seen on page 25, where Gandalf speaks of the lack of Heroes and Warriors. One last aspect is on page 60, where Thorin is exhalted to find out that Durin, founder of Durin's Day and his ancestor, has written in "moon-letter" on the map that they are using. The main purpose of the group is to avenge their ancestor's and get the treasure back and possibly kill the dragon. This will bring them fame and glory in its own right, just like in Beowulf.
I hope to pass on stories of fantasy and adventure to my children. They too should be able to use their imagination for great things, even to venture into the Shire, as I once did.
I fell in love with The Hobbit a long time ago because of its "story-telling" appeal. Before I learned in this class that the story was meant for Tolkien's grandchildren, it always felt to me like someone was reading me the story. The Hobbit is everything C.S. Lewis said a story should be; Tolkien does not take a story that could happen anywhere and merely dress it up so it fits in Middle Earth. Tolkien created a whole new place for us to go, with dragons and wizards and new languages. He develops each race of people in the book so specifically that I feel like I know a dwarf, a hobbit, or an elf personally. He does not let anything slide, and whenever he mentions a detail in the book that the reader might question, Tolkien writes "but that is another adventure" or "so and so might not realize it now, but they will soon". It is like he knows every detail before he says it, like the story was told to him before he actually created it. I picture Tolkien performing it like the bards performed Beowulf and poets performed the Odyssey. The Hobbit is such a narrative that it almost deserves to be told orally for the listener to get the true "story-telling" experience.
ReplyDeleteI feel that The Hobbit is a book that will and has lasted throughout the ages. Like the Odyssey and Beowulf, many people are aware of the book yet The Hobbit seems more special than these texts to me because along with it comes a genuine love of the story. For example, over thanksgiving break I was telling my family about my classes and named all the books we have read for this class. When I told them I was currently reading The Hobbit, everyone instantly told me how much they loved the book and how it is a great literary work. Instead of it being just a classic literary work, it is a fun and heartwarming story as well. A unique aspect of the books is that the tone of The Hobbit is almost conversational; it seems to answer the questions one has in the book while reading it. This creates closeness to the narrator and the relaxed style of writing makes a book less intimidating to a reader and more fun and enjoyable. The story can be enjoyable from child readers to adult alike with the interesting characters and imaginative storyline alike.
ReplyDeleteI don’t normally read books of this genre, so it’s hard to compare to current children’s/young adult contemporary favorites such as Harry Potter. One thing that is obviously different is the characters. This book involves all the types of characters of a different world, a fairy story, to make it truly an experience that removes the reader from reality and into a completely new experience. Harry Potter definitely does some of that, but they have normal human beings as well so there’s partial reality. This is completely made up of fairy story characters. I think that makes it special and unique compared to other books. I think it will be a book that lasts through the ages. I don’t know that it would be on the same scale as Odyssey and Beowulf because it doesn’t involve the killings and various battles on every other page, but it involves a lot of suspense that makes it a great book. Also, I love this type of narrative. It’s very much a storytelling narrative which makes it easy to read and more conversational than an epic poem or something like Beowulf. The text is smoother which makes it more enjoyable in my opinion but also different compared to other classics. It allows for an experience that feels like it’s being read to the reader. This factor makes it a great book for young adults but also children. I think because it reaches a larger audience and has this type of narrative it will last through the years.
ReplyDeleteWhen I heard I had to read a story written by J.R. R. Tolkien I will admit I was very skeptical knowing that this is the same author that wrote the books, “Lord of the Rings.” The beginning of the book reminded me of the movie “Princess Bride.” When I read it I felt like the little boy sitting on the bed listening to his grandpa telling a story. I loved the Hobbit right away because I am a visual learner and you can’t help but have enough descriptions when you are reading the “Hobbit.” Hearing all the visual details is almost like the beginning of a great story hearing “Once Upon A Time” and then a description, only throughout the whole book. Any question that comes in my mind is always answered if I just read a little further. I first questioned what is a Hobbit? My question was answered four pages into the book. “I suppose hobbits need descriptions nowadays since they have become shy... “(Pg. 4). Tolkien gives you multiple descriptions telling you they do not have beards, there is little or no magic, they are inclined to be fat, and they dress in bright colors. (Pg.4). I feel the Hobbit takes all the classic fairytale books and movies I grew up with and makes you change your interpretation differently from the classic characters you are visualizing. For instance you have the typical character of Dopey from “Snow White” but the Dwarves in the “Hobbit” change your concept of them a bit. When you first meet them it is described, “A dwarf with a blue beard tucked into a golden belt, and very bright eyes under his dark-green hood”(Pg.9) Tolkien gives you the choice to take your previous knowledge of fictional characters and to create your own image or to add to the ones you grew up imagining. I feel that if the book is passed on through generations, schools, and by word of mouth that this book will be legendary and be read for multiple generations. I know in my classroom I will share it with my kids.
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ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit has proven to already hold its own against the onslaught new young adult fiction titles over the years. I believe that it will continue to do so. It will continue due to the fact that the book itself is unique and loved. The book is already loved by a large populous and that in and of itself will help the books popularity to continue as parents read it to their children and as schools have their students read it. Also, the uniqueness of the book will help its popularity to continue. The book is full of the characters that are in our fairy tales. Goblins, trolls, dwarfs, and wizards. These characters can easily be found in children's books, but The Hobbit expands on these characters. The descriptions of the characters paired with the actions and adventures give readers and in-depth look into these loved characters. The uniqueness extends itself into the actual writing of the book. the book is full of adventure, descriptions, and wit. For example, "Not for the last time!"(p. 46). This phrase can be found in different parts of the text and refers to Bilbo's longing for his home and to have not gone on the adventure. This phrase is an example of the wit found in the book. You cannot help but laugh when you hear this phrase. It is difficult to explain, but it one of the elements of humor in the book. This book will remain timeless due to the uniqueness of the book and the reader's love for it.
ReplyDeleteFor 2 reasons do I believe that The Hobbit, a wonderfully planned out and written story about a dubious hero, will be a story that is read and glorified for the long haul. Firstly, the story is many times over more complicated then what the contemporary stories we read about fairy tales are. There are pictures throughout the novel which makes the involvement of the story that much better. Also there is a map of the entire "world" that the story takes place in at the beginning of the book. It is impossible to not be completely sucked in to the mountain that Bilbo is traversing through because of the way it is described to you as you're reading the story. The characters in the story like the dwarves and goblins are completely brought to life by the way are written. Although in a completely different world than our own, their interactions and the way the act towards one another and the other characters in the story is easily identifiable with. Tolkien creates such an intricate and detailed world but is still a world that any aged reader can understand. It creates a whole new world for any reader to be able to escape to and live with dragons and wizards and goblins. And for that, I believe The Hobbit will be a timeless piece of art.
ReplyDeleteThe second reason that comes to mind is because The Hobbit is a story about a character who isn't really ever described as a likely hero. Bilbo Baggins, who is completely happy with waking up in his own bed every morning and never dealing with anything more crazy than not having a seed pie to have for second lunch. There is a good picture of Bilbo on page 329, of Bilbo in The Hall at Bag-End. He is pictured as a very short fat old man, which is correct as he is described in the text. Why this is important though, is because he is a character the average Joe can relate to. Not only can Joe relate to Bilbo, but in no way is Bilbo exceptionally spectacular at anything, so Joe is able to almost jump into Bilbo's shoes and have the same adventure Bilbo has. It is the same idea as contemporary stories with an every day normal human being going on wondrous adventures, or fighting evil. An example that comes to mind would be Spiderman. Any of us technically could have been Spiderman, so it is relateable to us. This is the second reason I believe the Hobbit won't get pushed aside by a better story for a long time.
I enjoyed The Hobbit the most of any book we read this semester. I'm not very picky with the books I read, I just enjoy a good story. My gratitude and fascination with this book and the story it brings the reader along may also be a testament to the longevity of the story.
I believe that The Hobbit has already established itself as a timeless classic, though my opinion may be biased because I grew up hearing about its wonders from my mother. It is established and has already been loved for several generations of readers. It is written conversationally. It is the kind of story that has depth and something new can be found in every read. The characters are relatable. It is a gateway into The Lord of the Rings and stays relevant for both young adult and adult audiences. Contributing to culture in the movie industry also increases the story's audience. It stands alongside current children's books because of its uniqueness. The way that Tolkien writes about the unlikely hero Bilbo. "He will be [a burglar] when the time comes. There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself," (23). People of all ages over the years can relate to these characteristics. The Hobbit will be around for awhile. I do not believe that The Hobbit could be forgotten in literature because of the way people have reacted to the story. It is a story loved by a wide variety of people, and speaks to them on various levels. The Hobbit feeds the imagination and provides an escape from this world. The difference between The Hobbit, The Odyssey, and Beowulf is that I hear that people seek The Hobbit out to read for enjoyment. I do not know of too many people who would crave reading The Odyssey or Beowulf for entertainment. The Hobbit is fun to read.
ReplyDeleteReading the Hobbit has been an absolute joy so far! It is definitely one great text which will be well read throughout the years to come. Like Crystal commented on, the ability for the narrator to communicate to the readers as if he is directly talking to you is something you don’t get very often in a book. He draws you in, making the story seem real, like the hobbit actually exists and does needs to be explained. Also I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it is to read. It does not posses the long and drawn out, never ending sentences as some of the other books we have read. Tolkien gives you enough descriptions so that you can use your imagination and picture yourself in the story. One description that stands out is that of Beorn’s home. “It faced the south and was still warm and filled with light of the western sun which slanted into it and fell golden on the garden full of flowers that came right up to the steps.” This is a beautiful description of the lighting, atmosphere and view of Beorn’s home. It is simple and to the point but gives you so much detail at the same time. I think that the easy reading and the narrators ability to pull you into the fairy tale that he believes in is what will make this book stand out over time.
ReplyDeleteI have read a few of the Harry Potter books and I can't remember hardly anything that happened in them. It must not have been important. The Hobbit, however, has made a (more) lasting impression. Both books create their own alternate reality and both are an easy, escapist read. I think (or rather I know) that the difference is in the main character. People can better relate to characters closer to their own age. In the first Harry Potter book, Harry is 10? 11? It's easy for a reader to outgrow him. Bilbo, on the other hand, is 50, but he looks like a child and acts kind of naïve. His experiences are inverted of the norm; at 50 he ends retirement and takes on a new, risky profession. Most age groups can start a new profession or experience an existential dissonance. Personally, I aspire to be as intrepid as Bilbo at age 50, and that is what makes The Hobbit appealing to me.
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit is an absolute classic for the ages. I've read it a few times throughout the years, the first when I was much younger and actually had it read to me, hearing all the action of killing dragons and adventuring with wizards made a pretty awesome story. I read it now myself, and I still find all the more subtle hints of humor and descriptions to make it an equally enjoyable read. This, the fact that even adults reading this to their kids can enjoy it just as much as them, is one of my favorite things about the story and probably would be my main argument to this topic.
ReplyDeleteOne of my other favorite parts about The Hobbit on this topic would be the tone of the story. The best way I can describe it would be a story telling tone; when my father read this story to me I never remember feeling like he was reading a book at all, more like he was just holding a book of blank pages and telling his whole personal account of his stories as a hobbit. This is an interesting aspect of the book: most books I would prefer to read myself, but hearing this one read almost gives you more of an experience in itself. I've loved it every time I have read it, but remembering Dad read me chapter after chapter is still how I think of The Hobbit and it made for something more unique and amazing an experience than I have ever found in another book.
So, it may never stand up to Harry Potter or the such in fame, but in my opinion, in fortune it is and always will be one of the best children's stories ever written.
In my opinion, I believe that The Hobbit will continue to be published, read, and loved by many readers for years and years to come. It is somewhat difficult to explain its appeal as it is very similar to the LOTR trilogy but in a way, easier to comprehend. As events unfold, everything is very clearly spelled out so the reader knows what is happening. For example, at the end of chapter 3 when Elrond is reading the map and comes upon “Durin’s Day” and asks about it and is immediately answered by Thorin. The reader is not kept in suspense of important details and knows exactly what is happening and this allows the reader to predict what will happen later in the book. It is interesting to note that The Hobbit was published in 1937 while The Fellowship of the Ring was not published until 1954. This tells me that Tolkien intended to take LOTR in a different direction from the Hobbit which is apparent in the stories. But with the success of the LOTR movies and the upcoming release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in 2012, The Hobbit will definitely remain a very beloved book.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the Hobbit will definitely be a story that is carried on through the ages. It is simply written and therefore, quite easy to read and understand. There is an element of immediate gratification within this story, which always pleases a reader and keeps them tied to the tale. Tolkien does a wonderful job responding to the questions that need to be answered to enjoy the story, while leaving enough unanswered so that the imagination can wander. The story telling narrative only initiatives more interest to the tale being told. You don’t just read through The Hobbit, but unknowingly place yourself directly into the story. While reading Persuasion, it was pretty difficult for me to just sit down and enjoy the story because I was viewing it from the outside, trying to piece together all the pieces. The Hobbit is exactly the opposite. Without even realizing it, you are placed inside the story, and apart of this adventure. When Tolkien introduces a new character, it feels as if you are actually introduced to them. The Hobbit includes elements of both fairy tale and fantasy, which is why it is so easily enjoyed by such a wide variety of readers. This story could be read aloud to children as a fairy-tale, or could easily be read and fantasized about by any other ages. Tolkien creates an alternate world in his stories, where readers can escape reality and feel free to let their imaginations roam. I believe that this is a key factor in why his tales have done so well and will most likely continue to.
ReplyDeleteI think that because the Hobbit is a technically a children's book it's pretty simply written. That fact makes it easy to read, but it's still an interesting enough story that older readers aren't bored. Also, I think that even though it is a simply written book you don't really realize that a you're reading it. The Hobbit is a story that will live on through the ages because it's so entertaining for all ages. Tolken does an amazing job at making the reader feel like they are actually in the story, rather than just reading it. That's something that most authors strive to achieve, but not many do.
ReplyDeleteI believe that The Hobbit will stand against time as one of the greatest fictional stories written. The beautiful and mystical faerie world Tolkien created is somewhere all young readers should travel to. The images Tolkien created are so imaginative and different than anything seen in other contemporary fiction stories. In addition to the extremely unique visuals, the language Tolkien used sets this story apart from others. The Hobbit is a very fast-paced read which makes it ideal for storytelling aloud. The characters also help function as storytelling devices. Obviously the reader must form his own visual description of each character, but the complexity and charisma Tolkien’s words add to his characters allows for many different, new interpretations of the characters and story alike. The Hobbit can be read to every type of child around the world and each will have his own totally different understanding of the story. Having read the story for the first time now, I believe that Tolkien’s style of writing is responsible for The Hobbit’s “story-tellingness”. Tolkien’s ability to expand and foster every child’s imagination through his words is a core function of the story as a whole, and a great attribute of Tolkien as an author.
ReplyDeletePrior to reading The Hobbit I often thought of it as a story preceding the Lord of the Ring novels, but after beginning the story I've found that it is much different. Never having read the actual Tolkien books themselves, I was simply going off what I saw in the movies, which was anything but a children's story. However, I now see the correlation between Tolkien and his ability to produce many different kinds of literature. The Hobbit is most definitely a children's story because that is the way Tolkien intended it to be; though I am not understating his quality of writing in the book because it is, in fact, brilliant. But he did intend this book to be a children's friendly book and we recieve that vibe within the first few sentences as they are very fairy tale like, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit"(Tolkien 3). With this, he made the story enjoyable to all ages and it will continue to give us that "journey" away from real life as we read into it further. And it will continue to do so for all ages into the deep future, as I and many others as well consider it a classic. Needless to say, I am extremely delighted my opinion of Tolkien and his stories has greatly changed upon the actually reading of them (rather than just the movies).
ReplyDeleteAccording to a New York Times Review, as stated above, The Hobbit was found to be 'seasoned with a quiet humor that is irresistible' and I couldn't have stated it any better. From a literary standpoint, these moments create such quality of writing that cannot be trumped alone by an equally great story. In my opinion, it is more pleasureable to read a bad story written wonderfully with such quiet humor than to read a good story written with nothing other than plain words. Upon Mr. Baggins' encounter with Gandalf, Tolkien remarks "You will notice already that Mr. Baggins was not quite so prosy as he liked to believe, also that he was very fond of flowers." (pg. 7). I especially enjoyed this moment where the author chooses to reveal a side of Mr. Baggins inner thoughts. In my mind, this is one of those quite humored moments, that I do find to be rather irresistable. Although many great stories have since been written, many, I feel, have lacked the same quaility that is provided by Tolkien and his narrativity that makes The Hobbit a very personal experience for the reader. It is because of the literary greatness and irreplaceable narrative that I believe this book will not only be around, but will be considered a classic for years to come.
ReplyDeleteOf course I think this book will be around forever! It's hilarious and Bilbo is such a quirky character that children and adults both respond to. Reading about the dwarves get into so many random predicaments, that it's hard not to relate to. I strongly believe this novel will last throughout the ages because its well written and allows the reader this unique escape to a mythical land. The novel is currently being made into a movie which might spark more interest in the book, which will only encourage others to tell their children and friends about so that the book is "passed along from generation to generation" because it is so well liked by all.
ReplyDeleteI truly believe that The Hobbit will be a great all time child's favorite book along with adults loving it. I have always wondered where Bilbo got the ring in the beginning of the movie The Lord of the Ring and now I understand. Reading this book is very easy to follow along and since I am reading it to my daughter I can tell it has really kept her interest in it and is easy for her to follow along too! I enjoy the journey so far and had no idea the goblins were in that cave which made for a little twist. As an adult you really don't think or talk much about childhood fantasy but reading this book with Trolls, goblins, elves it takes you right back to the days of your childhood imaginations and really captures memories for adults. This by far is my favorite book we've read in this class!!!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I love when a story is read to me; that is how I can almost hear a person telling the story as I read. Tolkien does this amazingly in The Hobbit. However, to say that we will be reading it hundreds of years from now is hard to say. The stories in the Odyssey and Beowulf really have no real surprises, and are simple narratives. What I believe makes these worth reading in the present is the fact that they were written hundreds of years ago. It allows the reader to transport themselves back to that time and place and feel what people back then may have been feeling. These are valuable not only to historians, but literary scholars as well. Literary fads come and go through the years, and it is unclear whether the Hobbit will stick around as a classic favorite. In my opinion, it may because it shows how our recent generations look at the old folklore. And who doesn’t love a well written story?
ReplyDeleteI am one of those people that had only heard of the Hobbit and never actually read it until this class. I think that this classic book will stay in the hands of young and old readers for a long time to come. This book, unlike the Odyssey and Beowulf, can appeal to a greater range of readers. As different age of readers explores what the Hobbit has to offer they might get different things out of it each time. As a child someone might think of Bilbo in one way, but then as an adult might see him another way. This classic book gives me a different look at the “classic” children’s books. What I read as a child and what others read as children may be completely different. The readers’ perceptions on the author’s context can vary. So far I am enjoying reading the Hobbit.
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit is most certainly a story that I believe will continue to stand out as not only a great narrative work, but also a lasting classic. It possesses a story-telling style that makes it into something approachable and likable. It generates an appeal that I believe makes a reader feel comfortable with the text and plot. The style makes one seem like they are a part of the conversation and events going on. Series such as Harry Potter certainly seem to have made a mark and have already maintained longevity throughout the past decade, but while I am a huge fan of the series I wonder how much longer the allure of the series will last. I think the series has stayed popular for so long because it has taken almost an entire decade for the entire book and movie series to be completed. With a series like Harry Potter the text can sometimes be difficult and complicated to grasp and keep straight in one’s mind. I do not believe that this is the case for The Hobbit. The language and text is clear which is why The Hobbit has remained and will continue to remain for many years.
ReplyDeleteI love books. I love the feeling of being completely and utterly absorbed in a story and if the book is good enough I feel sad that it is ending. The Hobbit is definitely one of my all time favorites. As a child reading it for the first time I enjoyed it the way a child would, for the plot and characters. Growing up and re-reading this novel has helped me notice just how brilliant Tolkien is. His little comments as the narrator are downright hilarious at times. I am sure that The Hobbit is a book that will be cherished for a long long time. It has everything a person could want in a story. The text is straightforward and easy to read. Beowulf has been around for hundreds of years because people are drawn to the character. Bilbo Baggins is a loveable, relatable hero and that is why The Hobbit will be around... forever.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the content of The Hobbit is brilliant and fascinating, it is Tolkien’s unique storyteller narration that will be responsible for the book’s untarnished admiration in years to come. The manner in which the story is narrated creates the impression that it is delivered from an oral storyteller and told particularly for the reader; this adds a personal element to the novel and further compels its readers. For example, the feelings and opinions of the reader are often addressed, such as when Tolkien asks, “And what would you do, if an uninvited dwarf came and hung his things up in your hall without a word of explanation?” (pg 10). Tolkien also incorporates the reader into the story in other ways, such as referring to Bilbo as “our Mr. Baggins” (pg 7) and claiming that Elrond’s role is important to the story “as you will see, if we ever get to the end of it” (pg 58). Although it is clear that the book has definitive end, the reader receives the impression that he or she is listening to a story that could be interrupted at any moment. Another key component to the storyteller narration is the incorporation of onomatopoeia, which can be found in the silly songs and within many sentences. In some instances, it seems as if Tolkien forfeits proper sentence structure to heighten the effect of his storytelling, such as when he writes, “and the great fire went off poof! into a tower of blue glowing smoke,” (pg 72). The author also offers his own thoughts and opinions to the story by frequently interrupting with asides like, “and his friends think him foolish (which is a very foolish thing to think), or get annoyed with them” (pg 55). Lastly, by creating unique dialects for each character type, it’s almost as if the reader can hear the storyteller changing his voice when talking like a Troll or like Gollum. My admiration of this book is in large part due to Tolkien’s unique approach to narration.
ReplyDeleteI believe The Hobbit is going to be around for ages because of its large range of important and depth. I have read the book before, but can only recall a general story along the lines of the fantasy genre. After starting the book again, it’s like a whole new experience. There is more to analyze and consider in the reading that one can know to look for at younger ages. Yet it still appeals to that audience because it is still an entertaining and capturing story told in a way that allows them to use their imagination. As an adult, although I do not necessarily enjoy fantasy books, I find myself appreciating the reading more and how much you can apply it. A book that can entertain the young and make the older still think has to be a classic.
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit is a tale that will last the ages. Tolkien's narrative style is fantastic; it's wonderful how he engages the reader so thoroughly with his own voice/the voice of the narrator. What truly makes The Hobbit amazing, however, is the world Tolkien brings us into. I would say that he definitely achieves bringing the reader into the Secondary World. The transition is seamless and if anything, the reader is left craving more of Middle Earth, Hobbits, Dragons, wizards, The Shire, etc. This book will be a favorite throughout time because it thoroughly enchants the reader through imagery, description, and narrative tone.
ReplyDeleteA good example of Tolkien's tone would be seen when Bilbo sneaks into the dragon's den inside the mountain. Bilbo converses with Smaug and
the narrator comments, "This of course is the way to talk to dragons, if you don't want to reveal your proper name (which is wise), and don't want to infuriate them by a flat refusal (which is also very wise)" (242).
A good example of description/imagery can be seen when Bilbo stumbles across Gollum's lake. Here still the narrator steps in to explain, "there are strange things living in the pools and lakes in the hearts of mountains: fish whose fathers swam in, goodness only knows how many years ago, and never swam out again, while their eyes grew bigger and bigger and bigger from trying to see in the blackness..." (79).
I think that The Hobbit does stand out from other children’s tales. The language used is one example. It is as if you are reading someone talking to you. For example, “Gandalf! If you had only head a quarter of what I heard about him, and I have only heard very little of all there is to hear” (pg 5-6) and “I am afraid that was the last they saw of those excellent little ponies” (pg 69). Throughout the book the reader feels like their grandpa is reading this to them. I think that is something that is not found in many books, and that makes this book so unique and classic. I think this book will definitely be around for a long time, mostly due to the narrativity that makes it exceptional.
ReplyDeleteI believe that The Hobbit stands out from current children’s/ Young Adult contemporary favorites because it is told in a way that the reader can relate not only to the characters, but the narrator, of whom we are not introduced. In most children’s contemporary favorites, the reader is introduced to the narrator, The Hobbit does not. This makes the reader more apt to imagine their parents or grandparents telling the story; as on page 4, “…but he gained- well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.” I believe this book will last through the ages because the story goes into much detail and creates a Second World, as Tolkien talks about in On Fairy Stories. Not only children can relate to this story, but adults as well; this story will last through the ages.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that The Hobbit is an ageless classic. It's not exactly a new book right now and I still hear about people of all different ages reading all the time. It's a book that (or so I've heard) you can read over and over again and never get sick of because there's always something new to find. I've never heard a bad review of The Hobbit. What stands out to me most about The Hobbit is definitely Tolkien's conversational tone that he works in throughout the book. Like you said in our prompt, I can totally hear him (or my grandpa) telling this to me and adding in little tidbits of wisdom like "Now it is a strange thing, bit things that are good to have and days that are good to spend are soon told about, and not much to listen to. [...]" (middle of page 57) His sporadic use of "I" makes it very personal, like he's telling a story from personal experience. The language is not modern but it is also not old english, which is why it remains ageless. Since there are movies being made based on it and it's known world-wide, the time period for The Hobbit will never expire.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that The Hobbit will be a classic novel read for many years to come because it is a great tale about facing your fears and stepping out of your comfort zone. It involves adventure and fatasy, aspects that children love to read about. Children of all ages have been reading it for years and years, even though it was written decades ago. Tolkien writes very differently than many of the other authors out there today in that he seems to sense when the readers will have questions while reading the text. He inserts explanations at exactly the right time, such as explaning what a hobbit is, and he always inserts little sentences to keep your interest and give you some insight as to what is to come next such as page 4 when he says "He may have lost the neighbors respect, but he gained-well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end". Readers can not help but continue reading becuase they must know what he gained in the end. Tolkien writes as if he is telling you the tale himself, which is unlike any other novels out there for young children to read
ReplyDeleteThere are other adventure/fatasy stories out there that children love to read, such as Harry Potter and Twilight. The Hobbit has been around much longer than these novels and still has remained a beloved classic, which leads me to believe that The Hobbit will still be around for a long time in the future and will not be completely forgotten by the popularity of these more recent fantasy series. Also, the Hobbit is followed by The Lord of The Rings series, for children who loved reading The Hobbit so much and wish to continue the fantasy, just like with the Harry Potter series. Once you fall in love with a character or characters, you want to keep reading and hear more tales as their adventures continue. That is why series novels are so appealing, and if the Hobbit did not have the Lord of the Rings to follow up with the adventures of hobbits and elves and Gandolf, students might be more interested in reading the other novels out there that are apart of a series.
Overall, I love the story The Hobbit and I believe that it will remain a beloved childrens' novels for years to come, despite its competition with other fantasy novels out there.