Question

With the messengers departed swiftly, and the dwarves were left to consider their case. So grim had Thorin become, that even they had wished, the others would not have dared to find fault with him; but indeed most of them seemed to share his mindwhich.

Which theme does this passage develop?

A. Mercy is sometimes necessary and can lead to good things.

B. One is often surprised by misconceptions about other.

C. Good always overcomes evil.

D. Greed is a powerful force that can lead to one's downfall.

Answer 1

This is the Hobbit, correct?
You can quickly eliminate a and c, so that leaves you with b and d. I don't recall what the messengers said, but I believe the answer is D in this case.

Answer 2

Which theme does this passage develop?

The correct answer is D. Greed is a powerful source that can lead to one’s downfall.

• In the excerpt it is made an emphasis that Thorin had become grim, and that this influence had ruled the other dwarves. It is obvious the strong influence that Thorin had over the rest of the dwarves, Thorin is their leader and has fought shoulder to shoulder with them, Thorin had built his leadership long before that specific event. It is this leadership what created blind fidelity among the rest of the dwarves, despite the mistakes Thorin had made until that moment. It is clear that this strong greed made Thorin irrational and the fear it provoked among the others, but it is also the respect the other dwarves felt form him what led them downfall.