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A critical analysis of Bilbos journey in the Hobbit
A critical analysis of Bilbos journey in the Hobbit
A critical analysis of Bilbos journey in the Hobbit
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The Hobbit: Exploring Bilbo’s Change in Character The Hobbit written by J.R.R. Tolkien follows a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins as he takes an adventure of a lifetime. Bilbo is content to live a quiet, simple life far from adventure, until the wizard known as Gandalf appears on his doorstep one morning. Very much to Bilbo’s dismay, he is soon swept off on an adventure the likes of which he has only heard stories about. Gandalf, Bilbo, and thirteen dwarves encounter trolls, goblins, giant spiders, and a dragon named Smaug before their journey is finally completed. Due to the ever present danger and the thrill of adventure, Bilbo returns home a less fearful hobbit than the one who left helping to build Tolkien’s theme that even the most rooted of people can change. Before the journey has even begun the reader sees that Bilbo is rather opposed to the idea of leaving his comfortable lifestyle to go on an adventure. At the mere mention that those involved “may never return” Bilbo screams and collapses on the ground (20). While …show more content…
When the party wanders off the path in Mirkwood and are then attacked by giant spiders, Bilbo is the only one who escapes and is subsequently separated once again from the dwarves. Then, when Bilbo lucks into finding the dwarves the reader sees that “he trembled with fear” after he notices the spiders (171). Bilbo is faced yet again with the decision to either let his fear control him and do nothing or conquer his fear and take action. Where Bilbo would have sat back and been to scared to save his friends the readers sees that Bilbo gathers himself together and manages to rescue all the dwarves and slay quite a few spiders in the process. This fearless, spider slaying Bilbo contrasts sharply with the hobbit seen doing nothing as his friends get captured by the trolls earlier in the story, giving the reader a clear view of the changes that are taking place in Bilbo’s
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 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
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.
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.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is a magnificent menagerie of nearly every form of figurative language and continues to impress the millions who discover his work. The Hobbit is one of the greatest epitomes of sophisticated yet riveting work brought to life by utilizing similes, metaphors, imagery, and symbolism in the book. In each of his illustrious works, Tolkien bestows a particular personality and The Hobbit, especially, is no exception.
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
As any developing hero does, Bilbo contemplates accepting the Call to Adventure. At the time for the hero, “the problem he faces may seem to much to handle and the comfort of home far more attractive than the perilous road ahead” (Bronzite). Bilbo has adapted to a calm and quiet style of living, and has found content in living in his hobbit hole. He recognizes the possible dangers of the journey and would much rather stay in the comfort of his own home. Thorin explains vague details about the trip and mentions “perhaps all of us may never return” (Tolkien 17). Bilbo is deeply affected by the previous statement as he has never thought about going on an adventure and never returning to his home. Bilbo is awoken by the fact that there are perils in the world that could prevent him from returning home. He reacts by shrieking and falling flat on the floor (Tolkien 17). After hearing Thorin’s comment, he contemplates refusing to go on the journey. Eventually, Bilbo chooses to accept, although he is a bit wary. Continuing through the stages, Bilbo meets with his mentor. He and his mentor Gandalf have met previously, but on different terms. Now Bilbo is meeting Gandalf, the wizard, in comparison to Gandalf, the neighbor. The hero’s mentor is there to “provide the hero with something (physical or mental) which will help the hero move forward in his adventure”
Throughout your life, you will be taken out of your comfort zone with many challenges and uncertainties. This is shown in The Hobbit, The Lightning Thief, and through my grandfather’s immigration story from Germany. Bilbo was taken on an adventure that took him beyond his normal comfort zone. He loved the familiarity of his hobbit-hole until Gandalf and the dwarves arrived at his door. The Hobbit contained many relatable moments about life, which can be explored through the novel, other people’s lives, and other works of fiction.
This story begins with a small fellow by the name of Bilbo Baggins. This fantasy story was written in 1956 by J.R.R. Tolkien. It is about a hero’s journey through the dangers and wonders of Middle Earth. Although it was not meant to become such a well-known book, it is filled with much literature. Throughout the book, Tolkien uses literary devices such as repetition, similes, and metaphors to develop the theme of cunning and cleverness.
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
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 beginning he is flat, static, main, and he is the protagonist.
Bilbo was a hobbit that didn’t do very much, but when Gandalf comes to ask him to go on an adventure he didn’t know if he wanted to go. When bilbo says that he’ll do it he seems to be a little shaky at first, but as the book keeps going bilbo gets braver, and saves the dwarves from danger on the way to the Lonely Mountain. Like when the dwarves ask him to go and get the treasure from the dragon. Such as the quote ” Now is the time for our esteemed Mr. Baggins(Bilbo), who has proved himself a good companion
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, one who enjoys peace and quiet, feasts and fireplaces, and the coziness of his home. At the beginning the The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Bilbo could not even imagine going on a tenacious adventure, but by the end he has survived the longest, toughest battle yet. Throughout the novel Bilbo Baggins changes from a prudent, typical hobbit into a courageous, sacrificing adventurer.
Bilbo Baggins is a very soft and quiet hobbit. He loves to eat, and is pampered by his own self. So when Gandalf arrives to take him on an adventure, Bilbo is a little hesitant –scared to death- to risk his life with Thorin and Company. “At may never return he began to feel a shriek coming up inside, and very soon it burst out like the whistle of an engine coming out of a tunnel. […] The...
The Hobbit, written by John R. R. Tolkien, is a fantasy novel published on September 21, 1937. It was written as a prelude to the famous series, The Lord of the Rings, written seventeen years later. The Hobbit introduces the reader to an incredibly immersive fantasy world, that enriches the reader into its epic storyline. The story takes place in a land called Middle-earth, a land filled with enchanting surprises and magical wonders. It was the perfect playground for Tolkien to develop his main character Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo Baggins was a small hobbit, who unaware in the beginning would become a large role in the plot. It is through this character that Tolkien implemented the theme of heroism into the story. Bilbo’s unexpected adventure with the dwarves and the wizard gave him the opportunity to develop into the ultimate hero of Tolkien’s tale. Bilbo’s epic journey to become the hero of the story begins when Gandalf, the wizard, tells Bilbo of an expedition that would soon change his life forever.