What are some good sources about Lord of the Rings and Hobbit?

[SelahFalk]

I am currently writing a compare and contrast essay on Frodo and Bilbo and I need some good professional sources ( not wiki) I was wondering if y’all have any suggestions? I have been looking and am having some troubles so if y’all have any tips that would be most appreciated =) thanks!

 

[Deimos]

I am currently writing a compare and contrast essay on Frodo and Bilbo and I need some good professional sources ( not wiki) I was wondering if y’all have any suggestions? I have been looking and am having some troubles so if y’all have any tips that would be most appreciated =) thanks!

Well, not to come across as too pedantic, but if you are doing this as a school assignment, part of the "learning process" is finding such sources on your own.
It doesn't help you learn to research something if we point and push you to sources.
With Google and other search engines you should be able to find at least a half dozen sources and probably more.
If you find that some sources don't help you, or don't provide enough info then you must look wider/farther.
Try a variety of key words/phrases.
You can still use Wikipedia as a jumping off point. There are a lot of key words and phrases in those Wiki articles that (when used in search engines) can lead you to scholarly sites that discuss Tolkien's works in depth.

 

[SelahFalk]

Well, not to come across as too pedantic, but if you are doing this as a school assignment, part of the "learning process" is finding such sources on your own.
It doesn't help you learn to research something if we point and push you to sources.
With Google and other search engines you should be able to find at least a half dozen sources and probably more.
If you find that some sources don't help you, or don't provide enough info then you must look wider/farther.
Try a variety of key words/phrases.
You can still use Wikipedia as a jumping off point. There are a lot of key words and phrases in those Wiki articles that (when used in search engines) can lead you to scholarly sites that discuss Tolkien's works in depth.

Good point. Thank you! I’m sorry! I appreciate your ideas!

I am currently writing a compare and contrast essay on Frodo and Bilbo and I need some good professional sources ( not wiki) I was wondering if y’all have any suggestions? I have been looking and am having some troubles so if y’all have any tips that would be most appreciated =) thanks!

Never mind! I am sorry!

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

No need to feel apologetic -- you asked a perfectly reasonable question! 🙂

If you have access to a well-stocked library, you could check for some studies such as J.R.R.Tolkien, Author of the Century , by T.A.Shippey

 

[Ent]

Never mind! I am sorry!

Agreed, no need to apologize. Learning how to research is also part of the learning how to research process.
In terms of "how I might go about researching it: -

- I would take an article like Wikis, and look at the "references" they provide within the articles, and so listed at the end of the article.
- I would read both Hobbit and LoTR and make my own list of "similarities and differences" I think I see as I go along, then see if those hold up throughout the works.
- I would use AI as a jump-off point, and query a simple "Bilbo vs. Frodo" thing.
- I'd check Amazon (a "well stocked Library as noted by @Squint-eyed Southerner above) for books on Bilbo and books on Frodo and see if any of their titles alone attract you, and give you some thoughts. (for example there is a book called "Bilbo's Journey" and a book called "Frodo's Journey" - what might they reveal in terms of comparisons and contrasts??)

AND -
- in contrast to our good friend @Deimos, I WOULD say probing other people for what they might know about sources and resources is valid, as well as is asking their opinions. The key is to be sure to VALIDATE what they say, from the original texts

The day we stop using our fellow creatures as sources for research will be a sad day indeed.

You have selected a great topic to write about, as there are both numerous and significant comparisons, and contrasts, between the two.

p.s. - we also have some good threads on here discussing stuff. But again, be sure to check the sources people talk about, and verify for yourself what seems to hold up and what doesn't.

Here's one such thread:

Bilbo VS Frodo as ringbearers

@Deimos, while we disagree regarding the 'situation' vs. the 'circumstances' issue, (the situation is exactly the same - a loss, and a discovery of former ownership - very apples and apples) - the circumstances do factor more than I have given them credit for. Bilbo has both ample and extreme...

thetolkien.forum

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

I value this early study:

It's unlikely that your library will have it, but I see copies on ebay for as little as $5.

 

[Radaghast]

Well, not to come across as too pedantic, but if you are doing this as a school assignment, part of the "learning process" is finding such sources on your own.
It doesn't help you learn to research something if we point and push you to sources.
With Google and other search engines you should be able to find at least a half dozen sources and probably more.
If you find that some sources don't help you, or don't provide enough info then you must look wider/farther.
Try a variety of key words/phrases.
You can still use Wikipedia as a jumping off point. There are a lot of key words and phrases in those Wiki articles that (when used in search engines) can lead you to scholarly sites that discuss Tolkien's works in depth.

Yes, astute observation and, of course, the source material itself are the best resources.

 

[SelahFalk]

Agreed, no need to apologize. Learning how to research is also part of the learning how to research process.
In terms of "how I might go about researching it: -

- I would take an article like Wikis, and look at the "references" they provide within the articles, and so listed at the end of the article.
- I would read both Hobbit and LoTR and make my own list of "similarities and differences" I think I see as I go along, then see if those hold up throughout the works.
- I would use AI as a jump-off point, and query a simple "Bilbo vs. Frodo" thing.
- I'd check Amazon (a "well stocked Library as noted by @Squint-eyed Southerner above) for books on Bilbo and books on Frodo and see if any of their titles alone attract you, and give you some thoughts. (for example there is a book called "Bilbo's Journey" and a book called "Frodo's Journey" - what might they reveal in terms of comparisons and contrasts??)

AND -
- in contrast to our good friend @Deimos, I WOULD say probing other people for what they might know about sources and resources is valid, as well as is asking their opinions. The key is to be sure to VALIDATE what they say, from the original texts

The day we stop using our fellow creatures as sources for research will be a sad day indeed.

You have selected a great topic to write about, as there are both numerous and significant comparisons, and contrasts, between the two.

p.s. - we also have some good threads on here discussing stuff. But again, be sure to check the sources people talk about, and verify for yourself what seems to hold up and what doesn't.

Here's one such thread:

Bilbo VS Frodo as ringbearers

@Deimos, while we disagree regarding the 'situation' vs. the 'circumstances' issue, (the situation is exactly the same - a loss, and a discovery of former ownership - very apples and apples) - the circumstances do factor more than I have given them credit for. Bilbo has both ample and extreme...

thetolkien.forum

Thank you!

I value this early study:
View attachment 40312
It's unlikely that your library will have it, but I see copies on ebay for as little as $5.

Awesome! Thanks!