Perspectives on Bilbo Baggins
J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit portrays a journey taken by an inexperienced young hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Only the very thought of an adventure causes him to want to stay in his hobbit hole. Although a wise Wizard, who knew his ancestors knows the Hobbit will come around and agree to participate in the adventure. The perspective of the Hobbit viewed in many different ways by many different characters. Through the appearance of the Hobbit to who he truly is considered by three main characters Gandalf, Thorin, and the Hobbit himself Bilbo Baggins.
Throughout the novel The Hobbit, the reason Bilbo is on the adventure is uncertain while Gandalf sees past the Baggins side of him and into his tookish side. While
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Tolkien’s The Hobbit consists of many points of view on Bilbo including the leader of the company, Thorin. In the eyes of Thorin, he sees no reason to add any new people to the company. Bilbo’s foil backs this idea up with to statement “What is our Burglar doing for us.”(pg.208). The Great Wizards decision for choosing the Hobbit is questioned by the leader. Statements like this one illustrate why Bilbo pushes himself to prove his worth to Thorin. While the leader is irritated with the thought of having the hobbit there, the rest of the members come to respect the tiny hobbit. As the novel continues the dwarfs begin to comprehend the purpose Bilbo has. Tolkien reveals what the dwarfs are thinking by stating, “they had come to respect little Bilbo…[and had] become the real leader in their adventure” verifying Bilbos efforts to win Thorin over have worked on all but Thorin. The hobbits foil shows kindness to Bilbo towards the end of the book. As Thorin lies on his death bed through his blood filled words he remarks “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” The uncanny apology Thorin chokes up shows his real character and his nobility to admit he was wrong and wants Bilbo to know he cherished their friendship. Through these words, Thorin alludes to the nobility and bravery the burglar demonstrates throughout the novel. As Thorin’s initial view of Bilbo may have been wrong, he can see the hobbits true nature through …show more content…
Bilbo sees his life as comfortable and has no reason to mess that up. Tolkien enjoyable notes “a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort”(pg.19) in the mind of the reader it is the perfect place and why anyone would depart from it. In the mind of the hobbit, he sees no reason to leave also. Through the quotation “Sorry! I don’t want any adventures…But please come to tea- anytime you like” Bilbo insinuates that he is reluctant to even to think about an experience. Through this, the Hobbit divulges his Baggins side through the act of kindness after refusing an adventure. As Bilbo turns to his Baggins side, he alludes to his tookish side which causes him to start thinking if he could be the burglar the company wants. The Hobbits novice nature to the journey causes him to be skeptical of many of his first quests. Bilbo’s mindset never truly changes until he kills the spider and saves the company from inevasible death they thought was awaiting them. As the novel is wrapping up the young Hobbit has reached his full potential and realized the Great Wizard was right all along he just needed to believe in
Many showed up in groups of three or four, so that Bilbo couldn’t just turn them all down. They later asked him to come on their adventure with them. The dwarves had told Bilbo about their treasure that was stolen and Bilbo suggested that they go to Lonely Mountain to reclaim it. Bilbo really doesn't want to but feels forced to go. They left a piece of Bilbo's notebook paper on his mantle under a clock showing all the dangers he might encounter. Gandalf had come to tell him that he was going to be late if he did not leave soon to be with the dwarves, causing him to feel forced to go. In the movie, however, Bilbo Baggins is presented with a contract from the others involving his burglar services that he will use on the journey with them. He grabs a backpack before he runs out to catch up with the others. This makes the movie more realistic because no normal person would go on an adventure without grabbing anything for the long journey ahead. Bilbo now had a few items from his hobbit hole that would remind him of his home. The book shows Bilbo as more of a reluctant hero. In the book, Bilbo finds the letter on the mantle and decides to go at the last minute. He seems to have felt pressured, resulting in just running out of the hole and not grabbing any of his belongings. He leaves
Bilbo Baggins lived a very simple life, a life he enjoyed very much, until the day when the wizard Gandalf arrived at his door one morning. Gandalf was searching for someone to share an adventure with, but Bilbo quickly declined, saying, “We don’t want any adventures here. You might try over The Hill or across The Water,” and with that the hobbit dismissed the wandering wizard, but not before he had given the wizard an invitation for tea the next day. This of coarse, was the polite thing to do. But Gandalf saw something more in Bilbo and would not be discouraged.
Within J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, Tolkien uses the character of Bilbo Baggins to reveal to the reader the constant struggle between heroic and anti-heroic qualities within Bilbo and ourselves.
Bilbo is happy to visit the elves and have tea with Gandalf, but he is also just as happy to relax in his hobbit-hole and enjoy the comforts of home that he longed for so much on his journey. Bilbo Baggins undergoes a hero’s journey in The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien. He departs from his home, is initiated into a more mature mindset, undergoes a road of trials, goes through his innermost cave, and is returned home and reintegrated into society. Bilbo’s journey is also a quest for self identity, because he realizes his place as “quite a little fellow in a wide world” and learns to balance out his respectable Baggins heritage with his adventurous Took background (Tolkien 363).
Why did he leave the only place he felt comfortable for a world of possible danger and horror around every corner, for a quest that he personally had no connection with? His conscious told him to refuse, but his gut told him to accept. A hunger for adventure had struck Bilbo Baggins, and even though he had no appetite, he feasted as a hero at the table of
In the beginning, Bilbo is very abject to go on this adventure. “Don’t be a fool, Bilbo Baggins!” He said to himself, “Thinking of dragons and all that outlandish nonsense...”
Bilbo Baggins changes a lot in the novel The Hobbit. In the beginning he is a small peaceful Hobbit who lives in Hobbiton. He loves to keep things in order, and hates things that are disorganized. “Please be careful,” and “Please don’t trouble. I can manage” (Tolkein, 12). Then one day a wizard by the name of Gandalf comes and gives Bilbo the opportunity to go on an adventure. Bilbo turns his offer down, but the next day thirteen dwarves come to his house. They have meals together and they sleep at Bilbo’s house. Gandalf then convinces him to go on an adventure with them. Bilbo is many things, in the very begging he is flat, static, main, and he is the protagonist. By the end of the story he is round, dynamic, main, and he is still the protagonist. By the end of the story, Bilbo is a changed Hobbit.
At the beginning of The Hobbit, Bilbo was sensible and when it came to his actions he was cautious, as well as being wise in thought. “We are plain quiet folk, and I have no use for adventures” (4). This was Bilbo's response when Gandalf mentioned going on the adventure with him. The idea of going outside of the Shire scared him. Gandalf basically
Hobbits do not typically like to be adventurous, and Bilbo is no different. He likes being safe, warm, and supplied with handkerchiefs at all times.
Bilbo cleverly eluded Smaug’s temptation, spared the life of foul creature Gollum, and demonstrate courage more and more throughout his journey. These exquisite traits made Bilbo into the revered character that was loved and respected for generations of readers. Throughout the book, Bilbo’s character had changed. At first, he was the ordinary hobbit who described adventures as “Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things” (4) but by the end of his journeys stated to Thorin, “I am glad that I have shared in your perils” (290). Bilbo’s ability to fight evil, make new friends, and to look beyond his maps and books enable him to become a hero. As Gandalf once said at the very beginning, “There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself” (19). Gandalf was right. What appeared to be an uneasy hobbit who fainted at the thought of adventures, turned out to be a brave leader, a compassionate friend, and an inspiring
Bilbo begins his long journey with the dwarves, who at the time were still skeptical of Bilbo’s abilities. The dwarves didn’t see why they needed such a small incompetent hobbit with them along their journey. Gandalf tells them to stop complaining and to trust that there is more to Bilbo than meets the eye (Tolkien 6). Bilbo soon shows his courage and heroism for the first time in the story when they run into their first obstacle, three large trolls huddled around a campfire. Bilbo, who was once a shy, non-adventurous type, begins to develop into a hero as he tries to steal one of the trolls’ money purses. This is a dramatic scene in the novel because it was Bilbo’s very first act outside his comfort zone. It was this...
J.R.R Tolkien's action packed, fantasy driven, inspiring novel The Hobbit shows the message that everyone must know, that you should never give up even if all hope seems to be lost. It shows setting of evergreen forests with villages scattered along the paths of which they must take and mountains just on the horizon. The read must go along with bilbo baggins a hobbit that does not realize there is more to him than just being a baggins and that he will live up to his family's name. Even after gandalf tells him that he will embark on a great adventure he still doesn’t believe he is anymore than just bilbo. Therefor this story is inspiring and shows that with the setting, character, and theme combined make this story a great read.
During The Departure period in The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins lives a respected life with no adventures or anything unexpected like a hobbit should. Gandalf asks Bilbo to join the dwarves on their quest, “‘I am looking for someone to share in an adventure I am arranging’” (Tolkien 4). This serves as the call to adventure, the first part in the departure. The following part of the
Gandalf has given Bilbo the chance to join him on a journey to reclaim the dwarves’ homeland. At this point Gandalf explains to the Dwarves how Bilbo is the perfect thief for them. (NEED QUOTES) Bilbo has declined Gandalf’s offer to go on the journey. Gandalf has tried to offer Bilbo to join him on the journey multiple times but he still refused to go. As Gandalf goes off without him Bilbo suddenly decides to run after he dwarves to join them on their journey, but at heart Bilbo still does not want contribute in this journey. Bilbo has declined Gandalf’s offer to go on the journey. Gandalf has tried to offer Bilbo to join him on the journey multiple times...
Bilbo assumes that he is an inadequate companion for the adventure, and that idea is apparent as he and the dwarves equally doubt his skills that Gandalf is so confident about. " 'I have chosen Mr. Baggins and that ought to be enough for you...There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself. '" (Tolkien 33) The dwarves allow Bilbo to join their company, but they do not completely take Gandalf 's word and have a difficult time becoming accustomed to the hobbit. The party describes him during the journey as being "more trouble than use so far" and wished Gandalf had "chosen someone with more sense" (119). However, once they realize that in spite of how traumatic a situation is for Bilbo, he still finds a way to help them when they can 't defend themselves, and because of that they accept him as a friend and stay loyal to him until the end of the quest and the