Fantasy Literature: J. R. R. Tolkien's The Fellowship Of The Ring

Read the excerpt from The Fellowship of the Ring. Many people from other parts of the Shire were also asked; and there were even a few from outside the borders. Bilbo met the guests (and additions) at the new white gate in person. He gave away presents to all and sundry—the latter were those who went out again by a back way and came in again by the gate. Hobbits give presents to other people on their own birthdays. Not very expensive ones, as a rule, and not so lavishly as on this occasion; but it was not a bad system. Actually in Hobbiton and Bywater every day in the year it was somebody's birthday, so that every hobbit in those parts had a fair chance of at least one present at least once a week. But they got tired of them. What do readers learn about the setting in this excerpt? Many people are invited to the party. Some hobbits came from faraway. Hobbiton is a community with deep traditions. Bilbo purchased gifts for everyone in town.

Which line best helps readers identify a countryside setting? When the old man, helped by Bilbo and some dwarves, had finished unloading, Bilbo gave a few pennies away; The young hobbits stared at the door in vain for a while, and then made off, feeling that the day of the party would never come. Inside Bag End, Bilbo and Gandalf were sitting at the open window of a small room looking out west on to the garden. "Yes," said Bilbo. "I am very fond indeed of it, and of all the dear old Shire; but I think I need a holiday."

Read the excerpt from The Fellowship of the Ring. Bilbo Baggins called it a party, but it was really a variety of entertainments rolled into one. Practically everybody living near was invited. A very few were overlooked by accident, but as they turned up all the same, that did not matter. Many people from other parts of the Shire were also asked; and there were even a few from outside the borders. Bilbo met the guests (and additions) at the new white gate in person. He gave away presents to all and sundry—the latter were those who went out again by a back way and came in again by the gate. How is Bilbo Baggins characterized in this excerpt? as mysterious as welcoming as romantic as frugal

Which line best highlights Bilbo Baggins' unusual youthfulness? When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence The riches he had brought back from his travels had now become a local legend . . . At ninety-nine they began to call him well-preserved; but unchanged would have been nearer the mark. Mr. Baggins was generous with his money, most people were willing to forgive him his oddities and his good fortune.

Read the excerpt from The Fellowship of the Ring. That was Gandalf's mark, of course, and the old man was Gandalf the Wizard, whose fame in the Shire was due mainly to his skill with fires, smokes, and lights. His real business was far more difficult and dangerous, but the Shire-folk knew nothing about it. To them he was just one of the "attractions" at the Party. Hence the excitement of the hobbit-children. "G for Grand!" they shouted, and the old man smiled. They knew him by sight, though he only appeared in Hobbiton occasionally and never stopped long; but neither they nor any but the oldest of their elders had seen one of his firework displays—they now belonged to the legendary past. How is Gandalf characterized in this excerpt? as dangerous as intriguing as excited as irritable

Setting includes the time period, place, and_____________of a story.

Which is an example of indirect characterization? Our teacher was quick to laugh. He had a great sense of humor. The small girl smiled shyly after completing her piano solo. Samuel was anxious and very eager to please his teacher. Luke had a large vocabulary. He was an excellent writer.

Read the excerpt from The Fellowship of the Ring. Twelve more years passed. Each year the Bagginses had given very lively combined birthday-parties at Bag End; but now it was understood that something quite exceptional was being planned for that autumn. Bilbo was going to be eleventy-one, 111, a rather curious number, and a very respectable age for a hobbit (the Old Took himself had only reached 130); and Frodo was going to be thirty-three, 33, an important number: the date of his "coming of age". . . Which detail in the excerpt identifies it as fantasy? The Bagginses throw extravagant parties. Bilbo, a hobbit, is going to be 111. Frodo is turning 33 years old. Thirty-three is an important number.

Indirect characterization requires readers to_______ what a character is like.

Which are common elements of fantasy? Check all that apply. true-to-life settings imagined worlds everyday events mythical creatures the supernatural