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{"num_reviews":1,"add_this":[{"service":"facebook","annotation":""},{"service":"email","annotation":""},{"service":"twitter","annotation":""},{"service":"linkedin","annotation":""}],"gtin":null,"attributes":[],"id":2050,"can_purchase":true,"meta_description":"Stream the TAN Course: The Hobbit: Discovering Grace and Providence in Bilbo's Adventures today to deepen your understanding of the Catholic intellectual tradition","category":["Education/TAN Courses","Education/Shop By Grade/Seventh Grade","Education/Shop By Grade/Eighth Grade"],"AddThisServiceButtonMeta":"","main_image":{"data":"https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-iuax7bpgx3/images/stencil/{:size}/products/2050/15476/the-hobbit-discovering-grace-and-providence-in-bilbos-adventures__78610.1744048973.jpg?c=1","alt":" The Hobbit: Discovering Grace and Providence in Bilbo's Adventures "},"add_to_wishlist_url":"https://tanparish.com/wishlist.php?action=add&product_id=2050","custom_fields":[{"id":"55639","name":"Author","value":"Joseph Pearce"},{"id":"55640","name":"Imprint","value":"TAN Courses"},{"id":"55641","name":"Publication Date","value":"1/1/2012"},{"id":"57283","name":"Wistia Name","value":"CCI: The Hobbit"},{"id":"57284","name":"Wistia Hash","value":"bdmobt29uo"},{"id":"57285","name":"Wistia Url","value":"https://www.tanbooks.com/cci-the-hobbit-mkp-2019/"},{"id":"63922","name":"atc-product","value":"1719"},{"id":"63924","name":"atc-product","value":"3193"},{"id":"63926","name":"atc-product","value":"3761"},{"id":"63928","name":"cpu-product","value":"1221"},{"id":"63930","name":"cpu-product","value":"4232"},{"id":"63931","name":"cpu-product","value":"3002"}],"sku":"C50503","backorder_availability_prompt":"","url":"https://tanparish.com/products/books/the-hobbit-discovering-grace-and-providence-in-bilbos-adventures/","description":"<style>\n#tan-product-description h2,\n#tan-product-description h3 {\nfont-family: 'Crimson Pro', serif !important;\ncolor: #870000 !important;\n}\n</style>\n<section id=\"tan-product-description\" style=\"font-family: 'Crimson Pro', serif; color: #262626;\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size: 1.7rem; margin-bottom: 1rem;\">The Hobbit: A Catholic Guide to Tolkien&rsquo;s Classic</h2>\n<p style=\"margin: .25rem 0; font-size: 1.15rem; color: #555;\">By Joseph Pearce &middot; Published by TAN Books</p>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">Course Trailer</h3>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<script src=\"https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/3ciqkb4yhk.jsonp\" async=\"\"></script>\n<script src=\"https://fast.wistia.com/assets/external/E-v1.js\" async=\"\"></script>\n<div class=\"wistia_responsive_padding\" style=\"padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"wistia_responsive_wrapper\" style=\"height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; width: 100%;\">\n<div class=\"wistia_embed wistia_async_3ciqkb4yhk seo=false videoFoam=true\" style=\"height: 100%; position: relative; width: 100%;\">&nbsp;</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">Overview</h3>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\">J. R. R. Tolkien&rsquo;s <em>The Hobbit</em> is often mistaken for a simple children&rsquo;s adventure story. Yet beneath Bilbo Baggins&rsquo;s journey to the Lonely Mountain lies a profound moral and spiritual vision shaped by Tolkien&rsquo;s Catholic imagination. Like <em>The Lord of the Rings</em>, <em>The Hobbit</em> reveals deep truths about providence, virtue, temptation, humility, and the journey home to God.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\">In <strong>The Hobbit: A Catholic Guide to Tolkien&rsquo;s Classic</strong>, renowned literary scholar Joseph Pearce shows how Tolkien&rsquo;s famous tale is fundamentally religious and Catholic in its worldview. Through Bilbo&rsquo;s growth from comfort-loving hobbit to courageous and humble hero, Professor Pearce reveals how great children&rsquo;s literature can form the imagination, strengthen virtue, and reflect the Christian pilgrimage of life.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\">This course helps readers see <em>The Hobbit</em> not merely as fantasy, but as a mirror of the soul&rsquo;s adventure: the call to leave comfort behind, confront the dragons within, rely on grace and providence, and return home transformed.</p>\n<div style=\"background: #fdfcf0; border: 1px solid #d4af37; padding: 1.25rem; margin: 1.5rem 0; border-radius: 4px;\">\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.1rem; color: #870000; margin-bottom: 0.5rem;\"><strong>What This Course Offers:</strong></p>\n<ul style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 1.25rem; font-size: 1.05rem; line-height: 1.5;\">\n<li><strong>Catholic Literary Insight:</strong> Discover the theological and moral meaning hidden within Tolkien&rsquo;s beloved adventure.</li>\n<li><strong>A Deeper Reading of Bilbo&rsquo;s Journey:</strong> See Bilbo&rsquo;s pilgrimage as a path of maturity, courage, sacrifice, and virtue.</li>\n<li><strong>Providence in the Story:</strong> Understand how Tolkien&rsquo;s &ldquo;luck&rdquo; reveals grace, purpose, and the hand of God.</li>\n<li><strong>A Warning Against Dragon-Sickness:</strong> Explore Tolkien&rsquo;s powerful critique of greed, pride, and disordered love of treasure.</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n<ul style=\"margin: 1.5rem 0; padding-left: 1.25rem; font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\">\n<li><strong>Rediscover a Beloved Classic:</strong> Read <em>The Hobbit</em> with fresh eyes and a deeper Catholic understanding.</li>\n<li><strong>Understand the Journey Home:</strong> Learn how Bilbo&rsquo;s adventure reflects the soul&rsquo;s pilgrimage toward Heaven.</li>\n<li><strong>Grow in Virtue through Story:</strong> See how courage, humility, compassion, and wisdom develop through trial.</li>\n<li><strong>Recognize Grace at Work:</strong> Discover why Tolkien&rsquo;s &ldquo;luck&rdquo; is far more than mere chance.</li>\n<li><strong>Overcome the Dragon Within:</strong> Reflect on the dangers of greed, pride, and attachment to earthly treasure.</li>\n</ul>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">Overcoming the Dragon Within Us</h3>\n<script src=\"https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/dvmucc8ano.jsonp\" async=\"\"></script>\n<script src=\"https://fast.wistia.com/assets/external/E-v1.js\" async=\"\"></script>\n<div class=\"wistia_responsive_padding\" style=\"padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"wistia_responsive_wrapper\" style=\"height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; width: 100%;\">\n<div class=\"wistia_embed wistia_async_dvmucc8ano seo=false videoFoam=true\" style=\"height: 100%; position: relative; width: 100%;\">&nbsp;</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">Course Curriculum</h3>\n<ul style=\"margin: 1rem 0; padding-left: 1.25rem; font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\">\n<li><strong>Bilbo&rsquo;s Pilgrimage</strong></li>\n<li><strong>An Unexpected Parting</strong></li>\n<li><strong>Trusting in &ldquo;Luck&rdquo;</strong></li>\n<li><strong>Goblins and Gollum</strong></li>\n<li><strong>Bilbo Comes of Age</strong></li>\n<li><strong>The Return of the King</strong></li>\n<li><strong>The Dragon Sickness of Pride</strong></li>\n<li><strong>Blessed Be the Poor in Spirit</strong></li>\n</ul>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">Lecture Sample</h3>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<script src=\"https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/f49f9b34jv.jsonp\" async=\"\"></script>\n<script src=\"https://fast.wistia.com/assets/external/E-v1.js\" async=\"\"></script>\n<div class=\"wistia_responsive_padding\" style=\"padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"wistia_responsive_wrapper\" style=\"height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; width: 100%;\">\n<div class=\"wistia_embed wistia_async_f49f9b34jv seo=false videoFoam=true\" style=\"height: 100%; position: relative; width: 100%;\">&nbsp;</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">From the Course</h3>\n<blockquote style=\"font-style: italic; border-left: 4px solid #E2E2E2; background: #fafafa; padding: 1rem; font-size: 1.15rem; margin: 1rem 0;\">&ldquo;Bilbo&rsquo;s journey shows that the meaning of life is to grow in virtue and holiness, learning the lessons of adventure so that we may return home to God.&rdquo;</blockquote>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">Meet Your Professor</h3>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\">Joseph Pearce is a renowned Catholic literary scholar, biographer, and speaker. He has served as Writer in Residence and Visiting Fellow at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in Merrimack, New Hampshire, and as a Visiting Scholar at Mount Royal Academy in Sunapee, New Hampshire. He lectures widely at colleges, universities, and conferences throughout the United States, Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa, and South America.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\">Professor Pearce&rsquo;s books include <em>Through Shakespeare&rsquo;s Eyes: Seeing the Catholic Presence in the Plays</em>, <em>Tolkien: Man and Myth</em>, <em>Literary Giants, Literary Catholics</em>, <em>Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G. K. Chesterton</em>, and <em>Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc</em>. He has also served as co-editor of the <em>St. Austin Review</em>, editor-in-chief of <em>Ignatius Critical Editions</em>, and editor-in-chief of Sapientia Press.</p>\n<script src=\"https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/kiedu406jh.jsonp\" async=\"\"></script>\n<script src=\"https://fast.wistia.com/assets/external/E-v1.js\" async=\"\"></script>\n<div class=\"wistia_responsive_padding\" style=\"padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"wistia_responsive_wrapper\" style=\"height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; width: 100%;\">\n<div class=\"wistia_embed wistia_async_kiedu406jh seo=false videoFoam=true\" style=\"height: 100%; position: relative; width: 100%;\">&nbsp;</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">Intended Audience</h3>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\">This course is ideal for fans of <em>The Hobbit</em>, readers of J. R. R. Tolkien, homeschool families, Catholic literature students, teachers, parents, and anyone who wants to understand how fantasy can reveal real spiritual truths. It is especially valuable for those who want to read Tolkien through the lens of Catholic faith, virtue, providence, and the Christian journey home.</p>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">FAQs</h3>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\"><strong>Is <em>The Hobbit</em> really a Catholic story?</strong><br />While <em>The Hobbit</em> does not directly mention the Catholic Faith, Professor Pearce shows how Tolkien&rsquo;s Catholic worldview shapes the story&rsquo;s themes of providence, virtue, humility, temptation, and the journey home.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\"><strong>Is this course connected to the course on <em>The Lord of the Rings</em>?</strong><br />Yes. This course serves as a companion to the study of <em>The Lord of the Rings</em>, showing how Tolkien&rsquo;s Catholic imagination is also present in <em>The Hobbit</em>.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\"><strong>Is this course suitable for homeschool students?</strong><br />Yes. The Homeschooling Set includes a Course Guide with lesson plans, quizzes, lecture notes, a final essay, and an answer key.</p>\n<div style=\"background: #fafafa; border: 1px solid #E2E2E2; padding: 1.5rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.25rem; margin: 0 0 .5rem;\">Homeschool Components</h3>\n<ul style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 1.25rem; font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.5;\">\n<li><strong>Lesson Plans:</strong> Structured guidance for completing the course.</li>\n<li><strong>Quizzes:</strong> Reinforce literary, moral, and theological insights.</li>\n<li><strong>Lecture Notes:</strong> Helpful study summaries and discussion aids.</li>\n<li><strong>Final Essay:</strong> Comprehensive written assessment.</li>\n<li><strong>Answer Key:</strong> Complete instructor resources included.</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n<div style=\"background: #fafafa; border: 1px solid #E2E2E2; padding: 1.5rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.25rem; margin: 0 0 .5rem;\">Key Themes</h3>\n<ul style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 1.25rem; font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.5;\">\n<li><strong>Pilgrimage:</strong> Bilbo&rsquo;s adventure as an image of the soul&rsquo;s journey toward Heaven.</li>\n<li><strong>Providence and Grace:</strong> Tolkien&rsquo;s &ldquo;luck&rdquo; as a sign of divine purpose and care.</li>\n<li><strong>Growth in Virtue:</strong> Courage, wisdom, compassion, humility, and self-sacrifice.</li>\n<li><strong>Dragon-Sickness:</strong> The danger of greed, pride, and misplaced treasure.</li>\n<li><strong>The Journey Home:</strong> Returning transformed after the trials of adventure.</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</section>","show_backorder_message":false,"tags":[],"warranty":"","price":{"without_tax":{"formatted":"$49.95","value":49.95,"currency":"USD"},"tax_label":"Tax"},"default_shipping_expectation_prompt":"","detail_messages":"","availability":"","page_title":"The Hobbit: Discovering Grace and Providence in Bilbo's Adventures | TAN 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The Hobbit: Discovering Grace and Providence in Bilbo's Adventures

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The Hobbit: Discovering Grace and Providence in Bilbo's Adventures

The Hobbit: A Catholic Guide to Tolkien’s Classic

By Joseph Pearce · Published by TAN Books

Course Trailer

 

 

Overview

J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit is often mistaken for a simple children’s adventure story. Yet beneath Bilbo Baggins’s journey to the Lonely Mountain lies a profound moral and spiritual vision shaped by Tolkien’s Catholic imagination. Like The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit reveals deep truths about providence, virtue, temptation, humility, and the journey home to God.

In The Hobbit: A Catholic Guide to Tolkien’s Classic, renowned literary scholar Joseph Pearce shows how Tolkien’s famous tale is fundamentally religious and Catholic in its worldview. Through Bilbo’s growth from comfort-loving hobbit to courageous and humble hero, Professor Pearce reveals how great children’s literature can form the imagination, strengthen virtue, and reflect the Christian pilgrimage of life.

This course helps readers see The Hobbit not merely as fantasy, but as a mirror of the soul’s adventure: the call to leave comfort behind, confront the dragons within, rely on grace and providence, and return home transformed.

What This Course Offers:

  • Catholic Literary Insight: Discover the theological and moral meaning hidden within Tolkien’s beloved adventure.
  • A Deeper Reading of Bilbo’s Journey: See Bilbo’s pilgrimage as a path of maturity, courage, sacrifice, and virtue.
  • Providence in the Story: Understand how Tolkien’s “luck” reveals grace, purpose, and the hand of God.
  • A Warning Against Dragon-Sickness: Explore Tolkien’s powerful critique of greed, pride, and disordered love of treasure.
  • Rediscover a Beloved Classic: Read The Hobbit with fresh eyes and a deeper Catholic understanding.
  • Understand the Journey Home: Learn how Bilbo’s adventure reflects the soul’s pilgrimage toward Heaven.
  • Grow in Virtue through Story: See how courage, humility, compassion, and wisdom develop through trial.
  • Recognize Grace at Work: Discover why Tolkien’s “luck” is far more than mere chance.
  • Overcome the Dragon Within: Reflect on the dangers of greed, pride, and attachment to earthly treasure.

Overcoming the Dragon Within Us

 

Course Curriculum

  • Bilbo’s Pilgrimage
  • An Unexpected Parting
  • Trusting in “Luck”
  • Goblins and Gollum
  • Bilbo Comes of Age
  • The Return of the King
  • The Dragon Sickness of Pride
  • Blessed Be the Poor in Spirit

Lecture Sample

 

 

From the Course

“Bilbo’s journey shows that the meaning of life is to grow in virtue and holiness, learning the lessons of adventure so that we may return home to God.”

Meet Your Professor

Joseph Pearce is a renowned Catholic literary scholar, biographer, and speaker. He has served as Writer in Residence and Visiting Fellow at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in Merrimack, New Hampshire, and as a Visiting Scholar at Mount Royal Academy in Sunapee, New Hampshire. He lectures widely at colleges, universities, and conferences throughout the United States, Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa, and South America.

Professor Pearce’s books include Through Shakespeare’s Eyes: Seeing the Catholic Presence in the Plays, Tolkien: Man and Myth, Literary Giants, Literary Catholics, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G. K. Chesterton, and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. He has also served as co-editor of the St. Austin Review, editor-in-chief of Ignatius Critical Editions, and editor-in-chief of Sapientia Press.

 

Intended Audience

This course is ideal for fans of The Hobbit, readers of J. R. R. Tolkien, homeschool families, Catholic literature students, teachers, parents, and anyone who wants to understand how fantasy can reveal real spiritual truths. It is especially valuable for those who want to read Tolkien through the lens of Catholic faith, virtue, providence, and the Christian journey home.

FAQs

Is The Hobbit really a Catholic story?
While The Hobbit does not directly mention the Catholic Faith, Professor Pearce shows how Tolkien’s Catholic worldview shapes the story’s themes of providence, virtue, humility, temptation, and the journey home.

Is this course connected to the course on The Lord of the Rings?
Yes. This course serves as a companion to the study of The Lord of the Rings, showing how Tolkien’s Catholic imagination is also present in The Hobbit.

Is this course suitable for homeschool students?
Yes. The Homeschooling Set includes a Course Guide with lesson plans, quizzes, lecture notes, a final essay, and an answer key.

Homeschool Components

  • Lesson Plans: Structured guidance for completing the course.
  • Quizzes: Reinforce literary, moral, and theological insights.
  • Lecture Notes: Helpful study summaries and discussion aids.
  • Final Essay: Comprehensive written assessment.
  • Answer Key: Complete instructor resources included.

Key Themes

  • Pilgrimage: Bilbo’s adventure as an image of the soul’s journey toward Heaven.
  • Providence and Grace: Tolkien’s “luck” as a sign of divine purpose and care.
  • Growth in Virtue: Courage, wisdom, compassion, humility, and self-sacrifice.
  • Dragon-Sickness: The danger of greed, pride, and misplaced treasure.
  • The Journey Home: Returning transformed after the trials of adventure.
Author:
Joseph Pearce
Imprint:
TAN Courses
Publication Date:
1/1/2012
Wistia Name:
CCI: The Hobbit
Wistia Hash:
bdmobt29uo
Wistia Url:
https://www.tanbooks.com/cci-the-hobbit-mkp-2019/

1 Review

  • 4
    Pretty good!

    Posted by MICHAEL S. on Dec 28th 2022

    Overall I liked this text, but I think it was a little limiting because Pearce narrows the conversation by only comparing The Hobbit with the LoTR. As a result, Pearce;s questions are not quite as thought provoking.

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