Is there a true Lord of the Rings? Explain your answer with
specific details from the text.

Compare Middle-earth to Earth. Be sure to include politics and
religion in your comparison, as well as social issues like racism
and war.

What is the thematic importance of the Ring? Of the Eye?

What does power do to those who wield it? List some
characters who appear to be immune to the corrupting
influence of power.

Discuss responsibility and the concept of the "greater good" in
The Lord of the Rings.

Explain the significance of the "changing of the guard" that
takes place at the beginning of the novel between Bilbo and
Frodo. Relate this to the similar scene at the end of the novel
between Frodo and Sam.

Compare Denethor (father of Boromir and Faramir) to
Aragorn. How do they differ as leaders?

Compare the relationship between Gandalf and Sarumon to the
one between Frodo and Bilbo. (i.e., both are mentor
relationships)

Discuss the symbolism of light and dark in The Lord of the
Rings.

How does Sam change as the story progresses?

How does Frodo change?

Compare the characters of Aragorn, Gandalf and Sauron as
leaders of their people.

Lady Galadriel and Tom Bombadil are purely benevolent
characters. Discuss the roles they play in Frodo’s adventure.

Boromir is redeemed by a last-minute repentance. Denethor,
his father, dies in the shame of his own corruption. Where does
Faramir fit into this scheme?

Make a list of the following three groups of characters: Good
Characters, Conflicted Characters, Evil Characters.

Which characters from the above lists are the most compelling?
Why?