The Hobbit – Literary Devices (12B - revised)
REPETITION
Repetition is a literary device in which a word or phrase is repeated two or more times.
Repetition occurs in so many different forms that it is usually not thought of as a
single figure of speech. Instead, it's more useful to think of repetition as being
a category that covers a number of more specific figures of speech, all of which use
repetition in different ways.
Some additional key details about repetition:

Figures of speech that employ repetition usually repeat single words or short
phrases, but some can involve the repetition of sounds while others might involve
the repetition of entire sentences.

Repeating information has been scientifically shown to increase the likelihood of
changing people's minds. The persuasive power of repetition is one of the
reasons it is so common.
Figures of Speech that Use Repetition
There are many different figures of speech that use repetition, all in different ways.
These figures of speech can vary in the things they repeat (sounds, words, phrases,
etc.) as well as in the specific order in which the repeated words appear in clauses or
sentences.
Some of the most common repetition figures of speech are:
ANAPHORA / ALLITERATION / CONSONANCE / ASSONANCE
Anaphora: The repetition of words at the beginning of successive clauses, phrases, or
sentences. For example, Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech
contains anaphora: "So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the
heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania..."
Alliteration: The repetition of the same sound in a group of words, such as the “b”
sound in: “Bob brought the box of bricks to the basement.” The repeating sound must
occur either in the first letter of each word, or in the stressed syllables of those words.
Some additional key details about alliteration:


Alliteration is the repetition of sounds, not just letters.
Alliterative words don’t have to be right next to each other. Other words can
appear between them.

Alliteration is found often in poetry and prose, as well as in commercial writing
like brand names and marketing taglines.
Alliteration vs. Consonance vs. Assonance
There are two close relatives of alliteration, both of which are often confused with each
other and with alliteration itself. They are consonance and assonance. Here are quick
descriptions of each:
Consonance is the repetition of similar consonant sounds across several words. The
repeated sound can occur at any point within the word, not just on first or stressed
syllables. So, for example, in the sentence “ A truck full of unlucky ducks careened into
the aqueduct,” the hard “k” consonant sound doesn’t just occur on stressed or first
syllables, making this an example of consonance but not alliteration.
Assonance is exactly the same as consonance, but with vowel sounds instead of
consonant sounds. An example of assonance is the “oo” sound in this sentence: “The
smooth balloon flew up and blew up when it hit the roof.” Note that in this example,
because all of the repeated sounds occur on stressed syllables, this example is both
assonance and alliteration.
Examples from The Hobbit
It was deep, deep, dark, such as only goblins that have taken to living in the heart
of the mountains can see through. (Chapter 4)
What literary devices
(alliteration, consonance
and assonance) are used
in this passage?
Identify the repeated
sounds
What is the impact on the
text?
All he knew was that the river seemed to go on and on and on for ever, and he
was hungry, and had a nasty cold in the nose, and did not like the way the
Mountain seemed to frown at him and threaten him as it drew ever nearer.
(Chapter -10)
What literary devices
(alliteration, consonance
and assonance) are used
in this passage?
Identify the repeated
sounds
What is the impact on the
text?
"Smaug lay, with wings folded like an immeasurable bat, turned partly on one
side, so that the hobbit could see his underparts and his long pale belly crusted
with gems and fragments of gold from his long lying on his costly bed."
What literary devices
(alliteration, consonance
and assonance) are used
in this passage?
Alliteration: The phrase
"long lying" uses
alliteration with the
repetition of the "l" sound.
Identify the repeated
sounds
What is the impact on the
text?
"Far over the misty mountains cold, to dungeons deep and caverns old."
What literary devices
(alliteration, consonance
and assonance) are used
in this passage?
Consonance: The
repetition of the "d" sound
in "cold," "dungeons," and
"old" creates a rhythmic
and harmonious effect.
Identify the repeated
sounds
What is the impact on the
text?
ALLUSION
An allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text.
Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or
philosophical ideas, and they do so in order to layer associations and meanings from
these sources onto their own work. Allusions can also occur in media other than
literature, such as film, visual arts, or even casual conversation. If you've ever
responded to betrayal with a dramatic cry of "Et tu, Brute?" ("You too, Brutus?"), then
you've made an allusion—to a famous line from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.
Why Do Writers Use Allusions?
Writers or speakers may use allusions for a wide variety of reasons:

To create a sense of cultural kinship between storyteller and listener, since those
who pick up on allusions have a sense of being "in the know."

To efficiently convey big ideas, or refer to stories that would take too long to
explain.

To deepen and enrich the meaning of a text by adding a layer that may not be
obvious to all readers.

To add dimension to a work by relating it to other texts.

To invite readers to reflect on the similarities between their own lives and the
lives of authors or characters being alluded to.

To place their work in dialogue with the work of those who influenced them.

To demonstrate their own cultural literacy, or test that of their readers or listeners.
However, when a writer makes use of allusion too frequently, or without making
accurate assumptions about whether their audience will understand, it can have the
negative effect of alienating readers, or making the writer seem like a show-off.
Examples from The Hobbit
In The Hobbit, Tolkein makes allusions to Norse mythology and Anglo-Saxon
literature:
Read this article: J.R.R. Tolkien’s Nordic sources | Colorado Arts and Sciences
Magazine | University of Colorado Boulder
Discuss the use of allusions to Norse
mythology in The Hobbit and how it
impacts the reader’s connection to the
narrative.
JUXTAPOSITION (DICTION AND SYNTAX)
Juxtaposition occurs when an author places two things side by side as a way of
highlighting their differences. Ideas, images, characters, and actions are all things that
can be juxtaposed with one another. For example, it's a common plot device in fairy
tales such as Cinderella to juxtapose the good-natured main character with a cruel stepsibling. The differences between the characters, as well as their close relation to one
another, serve to highlight the main character's good qualities.
Juxtaposition and Foils
A foil is one specific form of juxtaposition having to do with contrasts between
characters. When a writer creates two characters that possess opposite characteristics,
it's often with the intention of highlighting some specific about one or both of the
characters by juxtaposing their qualities. Such characters are foils of one another. The
tortoise and the hare, from the famous folk tale, are examples of foils.
"Juxtaposition" describes the writer's action of placing these two characters next to one
another for the purposes of comparing them, while foil is a word that describes the
characters themselves (the hare is a foil to the tortoise, and vice-versa).
Thorin: "We are met together in the house of our friend and fellow conspirator,
this most excellent and audacious hobbit—may the hair on his toes never fall out!
All praise to his wine and ale! He may never return to his home, but he will be
remembered forever in song and story."
Bilbo: "I wish I was at home in my nice hole by the fire, with the kettle just
beginning to sing! It was not the last time that he wished that!"
How are these passages an example of
juxtaposition?
How does Tolkein use juxtaposition to
make Thorin a foil for Bilbo?
How does Tolkein use diction and syntax
to create this juxtaposition and foil?
FORMAL/HIGH AND ORDINARY/LOW DICTION
Diction is a writer's unique style of expression, especially his or her choice and
arrangement of words. A writer's vocabulary, use of language to produce a specific tone
or atmosphere, and ability to communicate clearly with the reader are all essential parts
of diction. If a writer favors specific words or phrases and uses them throughout his or
her work, those are also considered to be part of the writer's general diction, though a
writer might also modify his or her diction to achieve certain effects, such as to create
characters of different types and backgrounds.
A Closer Look at Diction
Diction can seem like a very broad term that includes all of a writer's style, but it's
possible to break down the concept by looking at some specific examples. The poem
"Shakespeare," by the 18th century English poet Matthew Arnold, is a particular good
case study for investigating and understanding the key elements of diction. In this
poem, Arnold pays tribute to Shakespeare by consciously adopting Shakespeare's
diction in three specific ways: word choice, register, and tone. First read the poem
below (paying attention to Arnold's choice and arrangement of words) and then continue
on for an explanation of each aspect of Arnold's diction.
Others abide our question. Thou art free.
We ask and ask—Thou smilest and art still,
Out-topping knowledge. For the loftiest hill,
Who to the stars uncrowns his majesty,
Planting his steadfast footsteps in the sea,
Making the heaven of heavens his dwelling-place,
Spares but the cloudy border of his base
To the foil'd searching of mortality;
And thou, who didst the stars and sunbeams know,
Self-school'd, self-scann'd, self-honour'd, self-secure,
Didst tread on earth unguess'd at.—Better so!
All pains the immortal spirit must endure,
All weakness which impairs, all griefs which bow,
Find their sole speech in that victorious brow.
Word Choice
The first thing to notice is that Arnold mimics Shakespeare's distinctive word choice—
most notably, he uses the formal "thou" (as in "thou art" and "thou didst"), which was no
longer in common use when Arnold was writing. He also describes Shakespeare's
brilliance in the lofty terms typical of Shakespeare's own writing—for example, he writes
that the playwright was such a transcendent visionary that he dwelt in the "heaven of
heavens" and knew the "stars and sunbeams." Arnold makes another move typical of
Shakespeare when he spells "foiled" as "foil'd" and "unguessed" as "unguess'd." The
insertion of the apostrophe to shorten both words is called elision, and it's something
that Shakespeare did frequently, particularly in order to maintain a consistent number of
syllables in each line of verse.
Arnold, here, is carefully modeling his word choice after Shakespeare's to create a
particular effect. In other words, by choosing and arranging his words in a particular way
Arnold can make his poem seems to belong to a different era and take on the lush style
of Shakespeare's prose.
Register
Another aspect of diction that Arnold borrows from Shakespeare is his register, which
means level of speech. Register refers to whether a piece of writing is formal or
informal, or whether the writer is using "high," "neutral," or "low" diction. For example, if
writing a cover letter for a job, you would likely use high diction: "Thank you for your
consideration. It would be a privilege to contribute to the betterment of this institution."
Neutral diction would sound like, "Thank you for your time. I'll look forward to hearing
from you." Low diction would be, "Thanks man. Talk to you soon."
Tone
The tone or atmosphere of a piece of writing is also considered to be part of diction. It's
important to note that tone is significantly affected by word choice and diction, so it's not
always easy to tell the different elements of diction apart. However, it's crucial, when
analyzing diction, to look closely at how a writer develops the tone of a book, play, or
poem by making very small changes in their word choice or level of speech.
Formal vs. Ordinary Diction
Formal diction is used to convey authority, respect, and seriousness, making it suitable
for academic papers, official documents, and formal speeches. It is characterized by:

High level of formality: The language is respectful and avoids casual
expressions.

Complex vocabulary and syntax: Words are chosen for their precision and
sophistication, and sentences are often more complex.

Absence of colloquialisms and slang: Informal language and contractions are
typically avoided.
Ordinary diction is used to convey a sense of familiarity and ease, making it suitable for
personal conversations, casual writing, and informal communication. It is characterized
by:

Low level of formality: The language is relaxed and conversational.

Simple vocabulary and syntax: Words are chosen for their familiarity and ease
of understanding, and sentences are often straightforward.

Use of colloquialisms and slang: Informal expressions and contractions are
commonly used.
Examples from The Hobbit
Thorin: "We are met together in the house of our friend and fellow conspirator,
this most excellent and audacious hobbit—may the hair on his toes never fall out!
All praise to his wine and ale! He may never return to his home, but he will be
remembered forever in song and story."
Bilbo: "I wish I was at home in my nice hole by the fire, with the kettle just
beginning to sing! It was not the last time that he wished that!"
Compare the diction in these two passages from "A Christmas Carol" by Charles
Dickens.
Is Thorin’s quote formal or ordinary
diction?
Describe the word choice, register and
tone of Thorin’s quote that support your
answer.
How does the diction of Thorin’s quote
contribute to theme?
Is Bilbo’s quote formal or ordinary
diction?
Describe the word choice, register and
tone of Bilbo’s quote that support your
answer.
How does the diction of Bilbo’s quote
contribute to theme?
INFERENCE
An inference is a conclusion that has been reached by way of evidence and reasoning.
For example, if you notice someone making a disgusted face after they’ve taken a bite
of their lunch, you can infer that they do not like it. If a friend walks by with a graded test
in her hand and a smile on her face, you could infer that she got a good grade on the
test.
By making readers infer, authors create a more interactive and engaging reading
experience that can leave a lasting impact.
When authors write in a way that requires readers to make inferences, they may
do so for several reasons:
1. Engagement: By encouraging readers to infer, authors keep them actively
engaged in the story. Readers become more involved as they piece together
clues and draw conclusions.
2. Depth and Complexity: Inferences add layers of meaning to a text. They allow
authors to convey complex ideas and emotions without explicitly stating them,
making the story richer and more nuanced.
3. Reader's Imagination: Inferences allow readers to use their imagination to fill in
gaps. This personalizes the reading experience, as different readers might
interpret the same clues in unique ways.
4. Show, Don't Tell: This writing technique helps authors show rather than tell.
Instead of directly stating facts, authors provide details that lead readers to
discover those facts on their own, making the narrative more vivid and
immersive.
5. Subtlety and Ambiguity: Inferences can introduce subtlety and ambiguity, which
can make a story more intriguing and thought-provoking. It allows for multiple
interpretations and deeper analysis.
Observation vs inference
The difference between observation and inference is that an observation is simply
something that you take in with your senses, while an inference uses those
observations to make a decision about a thing, person, or event. For instance, you
might observe a passerby in a hallway who is carrying an umbrella and leaving wet
footprints on the floor. From these observations, you can infer that the person was
recently outside and that it was raining when they were outside.
Examples of inference:

Alex had a frown on his face and was dragging his feet as he walked, so you can
infer that he is having a bad day.

Kim’s baby made a disgusted face after trying a new food, so you can infer that
the baby does not like the new food.

“I’m excited to go back home,” said Caleb as he pulled several large suitcases
toward the car. From this sentence, you can infer that Caleb has been away from
home for some time due to his excitement and the number of suitcases he’s
carrying.

Sam always orders a salad from his favorite restaurant, so you can infer that he
will do the same the next time he goes there.
Example from The Hobbit:
“Then the prophecies of the old songs have turned out to be true, after a
fashion!” said Billbo.
“Of course!” said Gandalf. “And why should not they prove true? Surely you
don’t disbelieve the prophecies, because you had a hand in bringing them about
yourself? Your don’t really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes
were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit? You are a very fine
person, Mr. Baggins, and I am very fond of you; but you are only quite a little
fellow in a wide world after all!” (page 276)
What is inferred in this passage?
How does the inference contribute to your
understanding of the story?
Why do you think Tolkein wrote the
passage in a way that an inference was
necessary?
CONNOTATION / DENOTATION
Connotation is the array of emotions and ideas suggested by a word in addition to its
dictionary definition. Most words carry meanings, impressions, or associations apart
from or beyond their literal meaning. For example, the words "child" and "kid" mean the
same thing, but to call someone a "kid" has a slightly informal and therefore
disrespectful connotation. The nature of connotations is that they are not explicitly
defined, so they can be used in both purposeful and accidental ways to convey subtle
meaning or subtext: you might call someone a "kid" on purpose to imply some
disrespect, or you may do so without realizing the connotation of your words.
Denotation is the literal meaning, or "dictionary definition," of a word. Denotation is
defined in contrast to connotation, which is the array of emotions and ideas suggested
by a word in addition to its dictionary definition. The words "house" and "home," for
example, have the same denotation—a building where people live—but the word
"home" has a connotation of warmth and family, while the word "house" does not. A
word's denotation does not include any of the subjective or emotional associations that
are part of that word's connotation.
Positive, Negative and Neutral Connotation
Connotations can be positive, negative, or neutral, depending on the associations
evoked by a given word. When a writer is choosing the right words to express an idea,
considering whether a given word has positive, negative, or neutral connotations is vital
to getting across the right idea to a reader. There may be three words that all denote the
same thing (i.e., the words are synonyms), but perhaps only one of them carries the
correct connotation to accurately express a certain idea. For instance, imagine a writer
choosing between the words "thin," "skinny," and "lithe" to describe a character. All are
adjectives that denote slenderness, but each has a different connotation:

"Skinny" has a somewhat negative connotation, implying that a person may be
slightly too thin.

"Lithe" has a positive connotation, implying a thinness that is elegant and
attractive.

"Thin" is neutral, casting no judgement on the person's weight at all.
Depending on how the writer wants the reader to think of their character—underweight,
attractive, or simply thin—a different word should be selected.
Examples from A Christmas Carol
"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with
the ends of worms and an oozy smell, not yet a dry, bare, sandy hold with nothing
in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort." (1)
Are the words Tolkein uses to descrsibe
Bilbo’s hole denotations or connotations?
Explain.
What is Tolkein trying to convey in his
word choice?
…a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panneled wall, and floors tiled
and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lot and lots of pegs for hats and
coats – the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly
but not quite straights into the side of the hill – The Hill, as all lthe people for
many miles round called it – and many little round doored opened out of it, first
on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms,
bathrooms, cellears, panties (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms
devoted to clothes,) kitchens, dining rooms, all were on the same floor….
Are the words Tolkien uses to describe
Bilbo’s home mostly denotations or
connotations?
What is n trying to convey in his word
choice?
IMAGERY / SENSORY DETAILS (ENGLISH 11B)
Imagery, in any sort of writing, refers to descriptive language that engages the human
senses. For instance, the following lines from Robert Frost's poem "After Apple-Picking"
contain imagery that engages the senses of touch, movement, and hearing: "I feel the
ladder sway as the boughs bend. / And I keep hearing from the cellar bin / The rumbling
sound / Of load on load of apples coming in."
Some additional key details about imagery:

Though imagery contains the word "image," it does not only refer to descriptive
language that appeals to the sense of sight. Imagery includes language that
appeals to all of the human senses, including sight, hearing, taste, touch, and
smell.

While imagery can and often does benefit from the use of figurative
language such as metaphors and similes, imagery can also be written without
using any figurative language at all.
Types of Imagery
There are five main types of imagery, each related to one of the human senses:

Visual imagery (sight)

Auditory imagery (hearing)

Olfactory imagery (smell)

Gustatory imagery (taste)

Tactile imagery (touch)
Some people may also argue that imagery can be kinesthetic (related to movement) or
organic (related to sensations within the body). Writers may focus descriptions in a
particular passage on primarily one type of imagery, or multiple types of imagery.
Imagery and Figurative Language
Many people (and websites) confuse the relationship between imagery and figurative
language. Usually this confusion involves one of two things:

Describing imagery as a type of figurative language.

Describing imagery as the use of figurative language to create descriptions that
engage the physical senses.
Both are wrong.
A Quick Definition of Figurative Language
Figurative language is language that creates a meaning that is different from the literal
interpretation of the words. For instance, the phrase "you are my sunshine" is figurative
language (a metaphor, to be precise). It's not literally saying that you are a beam of
light from the sun, but rather is creating an association between "you" and "sunshine" to
say that you make the speaker feel warm and happy and also give the speaker life in
the same way sunshine does.
Examples from The Hobbit:
"The forest was dark and gloomy. The trees were close together, and they were
so tall that their branches met and intertwined, shutting out the sky. The air was
thick with the smell of damp earth and decaying leaves. The only sounds were the
rustling of leaves and the occasional call of a distant bird."
What types of imagery and sensory
details does Tolkein use in this passage?
Give examples.
How does Tolkein use imagery to create
an atmosphere for the setting and mood?