An overview of the book and author The Hobbit An overview of the book and author

The various covers

The Author: J.R.R. Tolkien Born 1882, South Africa Moved to Britain as a boy Developed an interest in fantasy, fairy tales, and languages Became a professor of Anglo-Saxon and English Language and Literature at Oxford University

Tolkien’s life & interests Fell in love at 16, but had to wait until he was done with school to pursue the relationship Married Edith Mary Bratt Served in WWI; became ill with trench fever

Tolkien’s life & interests First real job: definitions for the OED Became a professor at Oxford Wrote stories for his 4 children Member of the Inklings Friend of C.S. Lewis & W.H. Auden

Forming The Hobbit During exams grading wrote: “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” Published in 1937 Designed early covers and maps Possible influences: World War I Anglo-Saxons Beowulf Norse mythology

The Hobbit and its effects Quickly became a bestseller Tolkien’s publisher asked for a sequel Tolkien submits The Silmarillion The publisher asks for more hobbit stories Tolkien pens The Lord of the Rings series Tolkien edits The Hobbit

Changes to The Hobbit In 1951, Tolkien adjusted the outcome of a riddle game in the book and Gollum’s personality Tolkien uses a preface to explain the change as dishonesty on the part of Bilbo, a hobbit In 1966, a 3rd edition of the book is released with edited narration

Other famous works Translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, from Old English to contemporary English “Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics”, a lecture on Beowulf The Lord of the Rings trilogy

Trivia As a child, Tolkien was bitten by a baboon spider, a type of tarantula When his wife Edith died in 1971, he had “Luthien” added after her name on their gravestone. It means “blossom” He had “Beren”, meaning “brave”, added after his name. Tolkien died in 1973, age 81. In Tolkien’s legendarium, Beren is a warrior who falls in love with the elf Luthien.

The Hobbit and media 1977: animated 78-minute production Made many changes from the text Criticized by many for “poor animation” Peter Jackson’s version Three-part film