Question

Frodo was the only one present who had said nothing. For some time he had sat silent beside Bilbo’s empty chair, and ignored all remarks and questions. He had enjoyed the joke, of course, even though he had been in the know. He had difficulty in keeping from laughter at the indignant surprise of the guests. But at the same time he felt deeply troubled: he realized suddenly that he loved the old hobbit dearly. Most of the guests went on eating and drinking and discussing Bilbo Baggins’ oddities, past and present; but the Sackville-Bagginses had already departed in wrath. Frodo did not want to have any more to do with the party.

–The Fellowship of the Ring,
J. R. R. Tolkien

Which statement best explains how the passage helps Tolkien build a vivid fantasy world?

Frodo’s conflicting emotions show that the world of the story is full of unrealistic contradictions.
Even though Frodo is not human, his feelings are understandable and believable, which makes him seem real.
The detailed descriptions of Frodo’s physical appearance help the reader to visualize and understand hobbits.

Answer 1

Even though Frodo is not human, his feelings are understandable and believable, which makes him seem real. The passage shows familiar, relatable emotions (amusement, embarrassment, love, discomfort), grounding the fantasy world in humanlike experience and making it vivid.