The Fellowship of the Ring: Book One
By J.R.R. Tolkein
English 12 Honors - Lomauro
Book One
Ch. 1
1. What is noteworthy about Bilbo Baggins’s appearance since he’s come into possession of the ring?
2. Bilbo is planning a grand party for his ________________ birthday, which is also Frodo’s
_______ birthday.
3. What announcement does Bilbo make at his birthday party?
4. What is the relationship between Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins?
5. What is the ugly rumor in the Shire about the death of Frodo’s parents?
6. Describe Bilbo’s demeanor as he leaves the ring behind with Gandalf.
7. During this exchange, Bilbo refers to the ring as “my _____________________,” which were the
same words used by ___________________________.
8. What two warnings does Gandalf give Frodo in terms of the ring?
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The Fellowship of the Ring: Book One
By J.R.R. Tolkein
English 12 Honors - Lomauro
Ch. 2
1. What rumors have been circulating around the Shire since Bilbo’s departure? What news does
Gandalf bring when he finally comes back to visit Frodo?
2. Characterize Frodo’s relationship with/feelings about the ring in this Chapter.
3. Gandalf gives a history of the ring in Ch. 2. Summarize it.
4. Who are Smeagol and Deagol?
5. How did Bilbo end up with the ring?
6. Why can’t the ring be destroyed? Why can’t Gandalf take it?
7. What painful realization does Frodo make at the end of Ch. 2? Explore the significance.
8. Who is Sam Gamgee? How does he end up becoming involved the business of the ring?
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The Fellowship of the Ring: Book One
By J.R.R. Tolkein
English 12 Honors - Lomauro
Ch. 3
1. In what ways is Bag End becoming uncomfortable for Frodo? Give specific details.
2. Describe the mystery surrounding the Black Riders that appear in this chapter. Do they resemble
any other characters you’ve encountered in modern literature?
3. Who is Gildor? What function does he serve, according to Joseph Campbell’s monomyth?
Ch. 4-6
1. What kind of character is Sam? Discuss specific traits and evidence of such.
2. Analyze the moment when Merry reveals that they know about Frodo’s plan. What is revealed
about the characters?
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The Fellowship of the Ring: Book One
By J.R.R. Tolkein
English 12 Honors - Lomauro
3. Analyze Frodo’s dream at the end of Ch. 5.
**See chart on next page.
4. Explore the personification of the Old Forest.
5. Who is Tom Bombadil? What makes him remarkable in the context of the other characters?
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The Fellowship of the Ring: Book One
By J.R.R. Tolkein
English 12 Honors - Lomauro
Ch. 7 &8
1) Using Freudian terminology, interpret Frodo’s dreams:
Frodo’s dream at the end of Ch. 5.
Manifest Content
Latent Content
Frodo’s dream at the beginning of Ch. 7.
Manifest Content
Latent Content
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The Fellowship of the Ring: Book One
By J.R.R. Tolkein
English 12 Honors - Lomauro
2) Describe Frodo’s feelings at Tom Bombadil “plays with” the ring in Ch. 7.
3) Explain what happens when Frodo realizes he has been captured by the Barrow-wight, and how he
is freed.
4) Interpret this passage from Ch. 8: “There is a seed of courage hidden (often deeply, it is true) in the
heart of the fattest and most timid hobbit, waiting for some final and desperate danger to make it
grow.” What does this mean for Frodo? What does this mean for humans in general?
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The Fellowship of the Ring: Book One
By J.R.R. Tolkein
English 12 Honors - Lomauro
Ch. 9 & 10
1. Who is Strider? What aura surrounds him as he is portrayed in Ch. 9?
2. At the end of Ch. 9, Frodo “accidentally” disappears using the ring. Explore the significance here.
What might this reveal about Frodo? About the ring?
3. In Ch. 10, Frodo reads Gandalf’s letter. What is learned about Strider?
4. Explore Sam’s distrust of Strider. How does is contribute to his own characterization?
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The Fellowship of the Ring: Book One
By J.R.R. Tolkein
English 12 Honors - Lomauro
Ch. 11 & 12
1. In Chapter 11, Tolkien writes: “The hobbits felt refreshed, as if they had had a night of unbroken
sleep. Already they were getting used to much walking on short commons—shorter at any rate than
what in the Shire they would have thought barely enough to keep them on their legs. Pippin
declared that Frodo was looking twice the hobbit that he had been. ‘Very odd,’ said Frodo,
tightening his belt, ‘considering that there is actually a good deal less of me. I hope the thinning
process will not go on indefinitely or I shall become a wraith.’”
Analyze this passage. There are multiple layers of significance here.
2. Near the end of Ch. 11, as Frodo is preparing to leave for Rivendell, Tolkien writes: “In that lonely
place, Frodo for the first time fully realized his homelessness and danger.
Explore the significance of this statement. Reflect on what is so different about this particular
moment.
3. In what ways is it evident that the hobbits are changing? Consider the idea of change in a liberal
way.
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The Fellowship of the Ring: Book One
By J.R.R. Tolkein
English 12 Honors - Lomauro
4. At the end of Chapter 12, Frodo is essentially unconscious. Explain how he became that way.
Closure – Whole Class Discussion
Reflect on the stages of “The Hero’s Journey” by Joseph Campbell that we discussed at the start of our
study of The Fellowship of the Ring. At this point, at the end of the first half of the novel, which stages has
Frodo completed? What lies ahead for him?
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