Analyzing Characters in Tolkien's The Hobbit

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Analyzing Characters in Tolkien's The Hobbit

The Hobbit (1937) by J.R.R. Tolkien is an exciting novel, an adventure that takes on a whole new meaning. At the start of the novel, Bilbo Baggins, an ordinary hobbit, is doing what the ordinary hobbit does, just staying at home. Hobbits are very comfortable with life and look for no excitement or change whatsoever. When Gandalf shows up on the doorstep of Bilbo Baggins' cave (home), it was a major shock to him. Slowly dwarves show up at his doorstep, after Gandalf leaves, they slowly appear groups at a time. After thirteen dwarves show up on Bilbo's doorstep and make themselves at home, Bilbo starts to freak out and wonders why this is happening to him on a beautiful, and what he thought to be, a normal day. The reason for the dwarves being at his house is the fact that they want Bilbo's help with a plan; to go to Lonely Mountain to retain a treasure that Smaug, the dragon, had stolen long ago from their ancestors.

Throughout the novel, it is a constant battle to get to the dragon. Bilbo faces danger and also evil. On page 16, this quote demonstrates the fear of Bilbo Baggins: "He thought of plundering dragons settling on his quiet hill and kindling it all to flames...he shuddered... he was plain Mr. Baggins." Mr. Baggins never faced this type of adventure before, and he was deathly afraid.

This novel is the classic story about an adventure, and in the end, the hero defeats the enemy. Although this novel has the basic overlook as a heroic novel, it also has a deeper meaning through the character Bilbo Baggins. This is an adventure about how he is challenged to complete a heroic task, but on the way, he grows to be more confident and stronger and, most importantly, finds who...

... middle of paper ...

...or guidance by the time they reach Lonely Mountain. To face Smaug, it takes an extreme amount of bravery from Bilbo, but he did it even though he thought constantly about the comfort of being back in his hometown looking at the Hill.

By the end of the novel, it is definitely clear that the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins is not the hobbit he once was. "Gandalf looked at him. "My dear Bilbo!" he said "something is the matter with you! You are not the hobbit that you were. "' (302). Not being the normal, big guy, heroic figure did not stop him from rising to the heroic rank at the end of the novel. When faced with an opportunity, some people take the risk, but others do not. Tolkien shows that Bilbo excelled and found a new improved hobbit.

Works Cited

Tolkien, J.R.R. Revised Version. The Lord of the Rings: The Hobbit.

New York: Ballantine Books. January, 1982.

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