Examples Of Heroism In The Hobbit

Braylon Peters

Mrs. Kuntz

World Literature and Composition

5 April, 2017

Uncommon Courage and an Unexpected Hero

Whoever knew an adventure can alter one's life forever? The Hobbit, by J.R.R Tolkien is an adventure story, written in 1937. It is a story of resourcefulness, heroism and the character development of Bilbo Baggins. It brings to life the struggles and triumphs of three adventurers in their quest to help Thorin regain the title of the King Under the Mountain. The story starts in the Shire, a small town full of circumspect Hobbits. One day, Bilbo is given the opportunity to join a man named Gandalf on a dangerous quest that is sure to change his life. With the idea of an adventure dangling as bait to the timid and curious

Bilbo, he ponders the quest for a new beginning. His timidness holds him back, but his desire to seek what is on the other side of the Shire pushes him forward, which eventually leads him to agree to accompany Gandalf on the quest. According to Tolkien, a hobbit by nature is not a typical adventure seeker, but Bilbo is just a little different. His character grows throughout the story, and he emerges different than he began. This quest gives Bilbo a chance to develop a new person. The dwarf Thorin, Gandalf and Bilbo discuss their plans for their adventure which will take them on a journey “Far over the misty mountains cold, to dungeons deep and caverns old, we must away ere break of day, to seek the pale enchanted gold” (Tolkien 14). While their plans include seeking the gold from Under the Mountain, The Hobbit also addresses the idea that each of the characters are joining in on this
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quest for a new beginning, each for different reasons, but still with the idea of teamwork being a common goal.

The novel, The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien shows many powerful themes. One of, if not the most important theme of this book, is Bilbo's character development over the course of the story, because through the progression of the adventure Bilbo's character not only becomes smart, decisive, and resourceful but because of this he is able to overcome countless obstacles that expose the true hero he really

is.
The overall theme of the character development of Bilbo is directly connected to a very important message and theme of the book, which is the resourcefulness that Bilbo exhibits for the duration of the adventure. Bilbo's quick thinking, resourcefulness, and bravery greatly contribute to the outcome of the book. Without these qualities he would have never been able to survive the quest. Just one of the many examples of his resourcefulness in the book is the ring that he came to be in possession of a magical ring that had belonged to Gollum. This ring allowed him to be unseen by the living. Which without, he would have never survived. He uses the ring many throughout his adventure, saving him from predicaments such as when he escaped the goblins in the Goblins Kings’ lair. Another example of his resourcefulness is when he frees the Dwarves from Thranduil. Bilbo finds a way to escape by just observing and analyzing the situation to find a solution to the problem. Bilbo’s resourcefulness is shown again when faced with adversity unlike he had ever seen. The quote, “A gleam of light came straight through the opening into the bay had fell on the smooth rock face” (Tolkien 194), shows the unsureness and fear that Bilbo was experiencing. However, he knew he could not give up even though it seemed that the others already had. Although Bilbo hadn’t given up yet, and his resilience and resourcefulness proved to be his successor and the exact thing that led him to find the answer he was seeking.

The theme of heroism is consistently shown throughout the book. The character of Bilbo exhibits many heroic and courageous traits. As the story progresses, we see that Bilbo possesses hidden reserves of inner strength that even he himself did not know he had in him when he firsts sets out on the quest. Bilbo set off on the journey with all odds against him with; him being small, no fighting experience, he never has left the Shire, and everyone doubting him beside Gandalf. A quote that shows the stacked odds against him and his perseverance is, “surviving, because of the indomitable courage of quite small people against impossible odds” (Moss, Joyce and George Wilson 5). After persevering in the face of adversity during occasions such as confronting the trolls, escaping with Gollum’s ring, slaying the spider, rescuing the dwarves in Mirkwood, and speaking face-to-face with the great dragon Smaug, Bilbo's true bravery slowly emerges after each conquest. At the end after the Battle of Five Armies “Bilbo returns to his hobbit hole, a hero in most respects” (Moss, Joyce and George Wilson 4). A time when Bilbo's bravery is mentioned in the book is when Tolkien states “going on from there was the bravest thing he ever did” (Tolkien 197). This is a very clear example that Bilbo’s character development is growing and beginning to show the clearly hidden traits that he possesses, such as bravery. Bilbo clearly exhibits bravery and courageousness on many other occasions, another time when his bravery is mentioned by others is when Gandalf says, “Let's have no more argument. I have chosen Mr. Baggins and that ought to be enough for all of you. If I say he is a Burglar, a Burglar he is, or will be when the time comes. There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself. You may (possibly) all live to thank me yet.” (Tolkien 104). Gandalf’s words show a true sense of confidence in Bilbo. This is a crucial moment in Bilbo’s character development due to the fact that this is one of the first times that his true potential is recognized and it is extremely meaningful. This quote shows that the people around Bilbo are becoming aware of his true heroic character.
Bilbo Baggins grew and changed throughout the story. He slowly developed into the person he was meant to be. Bilbo began very timid and indecisive, always second guessing his decisions. He was afraid to step out of his comfort zone, he was a Hobbit that was always worried. Thorin never gave Bilbo much of a chance to prove his worthiness, so along the way Bilbo starts slowly stepping out of his boundaries and proving himself that he is the man Gandalf believed he could be. A quote that shows the overcoming of problems and the perseverance even though others doubted him strongly is, “Mr. Baggins, who has proved himself a good companion on our long road, and a hobbit full of courage and resource far exceeding his size” (Tolkien 195). Thorin was the leader of the group on their journey and Thorin did not have any faith in Gandalf's’ decision with picking Bilbo to accompany them. This left Bilbo nervous being around Thorin until he proved he was worthy to be with the Dwarves. After he developed and changed into this heroic character, Bilbo becomes a caring and honorable person full of courage “He felt a different person, and much fiercer and bolder” (Tolkien 144). This shows
forth how Bilbo changed, Gandalf always had faith for Bilbo to prove himself to his group members. Gandalf defended Bilbo when Thorin would bash on him, telling him Bilbo should never have came because he doesn't belong here and will get himself killed.

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In conclusion, the themes found throughout The Hobbit are strong contributors to the story, plot, and character development.

The themes of Bilbo’s resourcefulness, heroism, and the characterization of Bilbo Baggins are beneficial to the story for a multitude of reasons. The theme of Bilbo’s resourcefulness is important because it teaches us as readers that even when faced with adversity and thrown into a situation far away from one’s comfort zone, perseverance can overcome anything. This is closely in conjunction with the theme of bravery and courageousness because these are the most common themes found throughout the book. Heroism is a behavior exhibited more often than not by just about every character in the book. Heroism is important in this book due to the fact that one of the more or less morals of the story is that no matter who may be suddenly hurled into the face of danger and adversity, anything is overcomeable. This theory is really proven by Bilbo over the course of the book. This is why another very important theme is the character of Bilbo. The main theme of the story is Bilbo’s characterization because we see him change so dramatically as a character from the beginning to the end of the book. His travels across Middle Earth consist “of his adventures Bilbo finds the greatest prize of all: a knowledge of his own identity” (Dorothy Matthews 3). In the very start of the story we envision him as a weaker and much more dull of a person. However, Bilbo’s triumphs

leave him with a growing sense of confidence that allow for him to believe more in himself and push himself beyond what he believed was possible.