Introduction
The Hobbit is a tale of an ordinary hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, and how he leaves his home on an adventure and returns a much different hobbit. We will look at aspects of the hero journey, as well as background information on the author, J.R.R. Tolkien.
Task
You will be completing two tasks:
1. looking at historical background information about J.R.R. Tolkien
2. investigating the Joseph Campbell's Hero Journey
Process
Step 1:
Using this link and this link investigate the life of J.R.R. Tolkien. Write down at least 5 facts that you discovered that you predict might be relevant to the novel. Then, for extra credit, you may look up historical events going on in the world (and that ideally relate to England and Great Britian, where Tolkien lived) that might shape some of the themes we will see in the novel.
Step 2:
Using this link, study Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, or monomyth. Bilbo Baggin's adventure will follow this journey, just as many other stories and movies have. In fact, the novel we just finished, The Kite Runner, follows this journey. Print a copy of the hero's journey chart (the circle with the line in the middle), and make a list of the 12 steps that Amir from The Kite Runner follows to complete his journey. Looking at Amir's journey will help us better understand and follow Bilbo's journey.
Evaluation
Task 1:
- Five Facts (10 points possible -- 2 per fact)
- Historical Facts (extra credit -- 2 points per fact, up to 3 facts
Task 2:
- Amir's Hero Journey (12 points possible -- 1 point per step)
Conclusion
You have completed your WebQuest! With your new understanding of Tolkien, and your understanding of the Hero's Journey, we are now ready to go along with Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Wizard, Thorin Oakenshield, and the rest of the dwarves as they attempt to retrieve the treasure from the Lonely Mountain and the terrifying dragon, Smaug.