Choose one of the songs in the novel and analyze its significance to the character. What does the song reveal about the singer, and how does it contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole?

Fate, chance, and free will all play a role in the novel. Choose an episode or a character’s perspective and explain which of these concepts takes precedence in determining how events transpire. What messages do these concepts convey?

Compare and contrast two peoples of Middle-earth, considering their histories and cultural values. What traits do these groups represent, and how does this impact the narrative as a whole?