In the film The Hobbit, four characters endure an epic trek to find and destroy the “one true ring” in order to save the world.
The trip brings them through many dangers, where scenery changes to match the peril faced by the characters. Because the story is so well-known, the audience knows how the quest will end while the characters don’t, so viewers experience their uncertainty along the way. The Hobbit illustrates the technique known as the “MacGuffin” because
A) the “one true ring” is a plot device that brings characters together
B) the audience knows how the story ends, but the characters don’t
C) the audience learns dangers and obstacles through the scenery
D) the “one true ring” creates suspense and hints at future events
A) the “one true ring” is a plot device that brings characters together.
Explanation:
A "MacGuffin" is a plot device in which a particular object, goal, etc. is included in the story in order to move the plot along. This is an object that the protagonist pursues, or desires, but that often is little explained or has little impact in the story. The object is significant not because of its value, but because of the effect it has on the characters and the narrative. In this case, the ring works as a "MacGuffin" because it is an object that all characters desire and that motivates them to engage in a quest.
