The Hobbit

Is Gandalf a wise and prudent friend, or a manipulative puppet master directing Bilbo and the dwarves however he sees fit? Discuss at least three instances of Gandalf’s stratagems.

Is Thorin a good leader, or is he simply the leader by default based on his ancestry?

Dragons are renowned for their ability to enchant their prey. How does Smaug demonstrate cunning in his dealings with Bilbo? What themes does this play into?

Do Thorin and the dwarves make the correct decision in hiding their true goals from the elves of Mirkwood even though their quest to defeat Smaug would likely have been welcome news? What does Thorin’s willful silence say about him, and where else is this quality of his shown in the narrative?

How does the vice of greed play a critical role in shaping the events of the narrative and the choices made by both good and evil characters?

How does Bilbo’s journey to the Lonely Mountain and back fit within the classic “hero’s journey” of classical literature and mythology?

In Lord of the Rings, the ring emerges as tremendously corruptive. In The Hobbit, what are some early hints toward this quality? How does it impact the owners’ behavior?

Gandalf is a dominant figure whenever present, but how does his absence at key moments in the story affect unfolding events?