J.R.R. Tolkien's novel was met with international acclaim upon its publication in 1937, given its adventurous plot, elements of high fantasy, and lovable protagonist, Bilbo Baggins. This compilation of essays closely studies the classic staple of children's literature by examining some of its themes-such as maturation and overcoming greed-exploring the world of Middle-earth, and comparing/contrasting the text with its popular sequel, The Lord of the Rings. Each essay is 2,500 to 5,000 words in length, and all essays conclude with a list of "Works Cited," along with endnotes. Finally, the volume's appendixes offer a section of useful reference resources: * About This Volume* Critical Context: Original Introductory Essays* Critical Readings: Original In-Depth Essays* Further Readings* Detailed Bibliography* Detailed Bio of the Editor* General Subject Index . -- Amazon.com.

About This Volume, Stephen W. Potts / Stephen W. Potts -- The Portal to Middle-earth, Stephen W. Potts / Stephen W. Potts -- The Life of J.R.R. Tolkien, Stephen W. Potts / Stephen W. Potts -- J.R.R. Tolkien's World: Literary, Cultural, and Historical Influences on Middle-earth's Subcreator, Kelly R. Orazi / Kelly R. Orazi -- An Unexpected Success: The Hobbit and the Critics, Alicia Fox-Lenz / Alicia Fox-Lenz -- The Riddles and the Cup: Medieval Germanic Motifs in The Hobbit, Jason Fisher / Jason Fisher -- Bilbo Baggins, Harry Potter, and the Fate of Enchantment, John Rosegrant / John Rosegrant -- "Of Gold and an Alloy": Tolkien, The Hobbit, and the Northern Heroic Spirit, Hannah Parry / Hannah Parry -- "Witness Those Rings and Roundelays": The Hobbit as Fairy-Story, Jared Lobdell / Jared Lobdell -- Fairy-Stories That Fueled The Hobbit, Kris Swank / Kris Swank -- The Poems of The Hobbit, Josh Brown / Josh Brown -- A Turning Point in His Career: The Effect of The Hobbit on Middle-earth, Sara Waldorf / Sara Waldorf -- The Hobbit: A Mythopoeic Need for Adventure, Jelena Borojeviéc / Jelena Borojeviéc -- Growing Up Tolkien: Finding Our Way through Mirkwood, Kayla Shaw. / Kayla Shaw -- How to Slay a Dragon When You Are Only Three Feet Tall, Aurélie Brémont / Aurélie Brémont -- Tolkien and the Illustrators: Visual Representations of The Hobbit, M. Lee Alexander / M. Lee Alexander -- Chronology of Tolkien's Life Works / J.R.R. Tolkien. Bibliography -- About the Editor Contributors.