R.5.4.13.05
Chapter 13 Close Analytical Reading
Text / Annotations/NotesFrom Chapter 13: “Not at Home”
Passage 1:
Bilbo was climbing the great mound of treasure. Soon he stood on the top, and still went on. Then they saw him halt and stoop for a moment, but they did not know the reason. (1)
It was the Arkenstone, the Heart of the Mountain. So Bilbo guessed from Thorin’s description; but indeed there could not be two such gems, even in so marvelous a hoard, even in all the world.(2) Ever as he climbed, the same white gleam had shone before him and drawn his feet towards it. Slowly it grew to a little globe of pallid* light. Now as he came near, it was tinged with a flickering sparkle of many colors at the surface, reflected and splintered from the wavering light of his torch.
At last he looked down upon it, and he caught his breath.(5) The great jewel shone before his feet of its own inner light, and yet, cut and fashioned by the dwarves, who had dug it from the heart of the mountain long ago, it took all light that fell upon it and changed it into ten thousand sparks of white radiance shot with glints of the rainbow. (3) (4)
Suddenly Bilbo’s arm went towards it drawn by its enchantment.(6) His small hand would not close about it, for it was a large and heavy gem; but he lifted it, shut his eyes, and put it in his deepest pocket.(7)
“Now I am a burglar indeed!” thought he.(8) “But I suppose I must tell the dwarves about it – some time. They did say I could pick and choose my own share; and I think I would choose this, if they took all the rest!” (9) All the same he had an uncomfortable feeling that the picking and choosing had not really been meant to include this marvellous gem, and that trouble would yet come of it.(10)
Passage 2:
All the same Mr. Baggins kept his head more clear of the bewitchment of the hoard than the dwarves did. Long before the dwarves were tired of examining the treasures, he became wary of it and sat down on the floor; and he began to wonder nervously what the end of it all would be. “I would give a great many of those precious goblets,” he thought, “for a drink of something cheering out of one of Boern’s wooden bowls!”
“Thorin!” he cried aloud. “What next? We are armed, but what good has any armor ever been before against Smaug the Dreadful? This treasure is not yet won back. We are not looking for gold yet, but for a way of escape; and we have tempted luck too long!” (11) / 1. Why do the dwarves not know why Bilbo “halted” on top of the mound of treasure? Why is it important that the narrator notes the dwarves’ perspective here?
2. What does this sentence tell you about the gem?
3. How does the appearance of the gem change as Bilbo gets closer to it? Underline words and phrases that this change.
*pallid - pale
4. How is the description of the gem here contradictory? Underline words and phrases that show the contradiction.
Why do you think the narrator describes the gem in this way?
5. What is the purpose of describing Bilbo catching his breath here?
6. This is the second time the word drawn is used. Box the two examples of the word in this passage.
A. Examine the surrounding context in each sentence. What is Bilbo drawn by during the initial encounter? ______
B. What is Bilbo drawn by during the second encounter? ______
______
C. Which encounter seems more powerful? Why? ______
______
7. Why do you think Bilbo shuts his eyes and puts the gem in his deepest pocket?
8. What do Bilbo’s thoughts here reveal about his character?
9. What do Bilbo’s thoughts here reveal about his character?
10. What is the purpose of showing us these feelings?
11. Underline the key words and phrases that show how Bilbo is feeling here. What is the purpose of the narrator describing this event with the dwarves?
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Assessment question:How does having a third person narrator that is telling the event from Bilbo’s perspective influence how the event is described?