The Hobbit

[Companion Mode] Open your copy of The Hobbit to Chapter 1: An Unexpected Party. Tolkien begins by introducing Bilbo Baggins and explaining what hobbits are—small, comfort-loving creatures who live in holes in the ground.

Pay attention to how Tolkien describes Bilbo’s hobbit-hole—it’s not a dirty or bare hole. It’s a perfectly comfortable home with round doors, paneled walls, and tiled floors. This tells you everything about what Bilbo values: safety, comfort, and routine.

Then Gandalf arrives. Watch the exchange carefully—Bilbo tries to be polite but clearly wants Gandalf to go away. Gandalf, however, has other plans. He scratches a mark on Bilbo’s door.

That evening, dwarves begin arriving at Bilbo’s door—one by one and then in groups. They eat his food, use his dishes, and talk of a dangerous adventure. As you read, notice Bilbo’s reaction: part horrified, part secretly thrilled.