James’s Comments (group member since Mar 02, 2016)

James’s comments from the S.S. Rebel Alliance (Silent Sustained Reading Discussions) group.

Because the Hobbit is a prelude to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, this book shows some fate themes. The most important one being the main character coming across a powerful weapon that is the center of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. So in this boom, fate is predetermined. My thoughts are that it shouldn't have been fate, be cause the main character could have easily chosen not to pick up the weapon, leading the Lord of the Rings trilogy down a very different path.

In the Hobbit, the main character shows clear signs of courage versus cowardice. This theme is best portrayed in one portion of the book in general when the main character is forced into a life or death riddle battle with a horrifying creature. The main character displays courage and the creature displays cowardice. The main character does not think much on the differences, he admires courage but doesn't despise cowardice. This is because the main character shows some cowardice a lot through the story.

The Hobbit handles abandonment through a wizard always leaving the group right before they need him most. The characters that are being abandoned are of course extremely distraught and angry when it happens. My thoughts on it are that it could have been avoided if the wizard had just stuck with the rest of the group.

The Hobbit has a very large theme based around over coming adversity. I mean the whole story is about a Hobbit (creatures mind you that live very comfortable and easy going lives, caring nothing for adventures and discomfort) that goes on an adventure that is the exact opposite of his lifestyle. He overcomes his fears, weaknesses, and overall discomfort for adventures throughout the novel.

The Hobbit has a theme of death and dying in it. Although if i were to tell you where that would spoil the entire book for anyone who wants to read it. Although the main character does not handle death well, and in fact, becomes a wreck. My thoughts on this theme are that death is a tricky thing. For me i don't really have an outward reaction to death.