The Hobbit Fate Quotes

William Wordsworth once said, “Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” All authors follow this; they pour their sorrows, happiness and everything in between into their writings. A book that exemplifies this is the fantastic flying books of Morris Lessmore, written by William Joyce. Another author who applies this quote is J.R.R Tolkien who wrote the award-winning book The Hobbit. Fate had an extreme influence on Tolkien and this resulted in fate having an impact on Bilbo Baggins, the protagonist as well. The rule of fate is that, whenever someone does something good, fate rewards him with luck or guidance. Fate reveals itself in three different situations during the plotline of The Hobbit. The first is when a persona appreciates

good. The second is when someone remembers good, followed by the third, which is when someone acts righteously.
The first way fate intervenes is when an individual appreciates goodness.

An example is when in the beginning of the book, Gandalf approaches Bilbo. Bilbo appreciates Gandalf, his fireworks, adventures, and stories causing Gandalf to respect Bilbo in return. This is an important event because the prophetic character in the book that helps Bilbo along the adventure is Gandalf. Earning Gandalf’s respect makes fate increase Bilbo’s value as a person and the amount of support that he has. Bilbo appreciating the elves, which are an allusion to angels, is another example. Offered in exchange is the appreciation of Bilbo from the elves in the form of knowledge. Elrond informs the party of the moon-letters hidden on the map. This happening is significant because it is the information to get into Smaug’s refuge, where all the treasure is stowed. Furthermore, fate repays Bilbo’s love of the elves once more when Bilbo receives the dream, which discloses the crack in the cave, from which the goblins would soon ambush them. The third example of Bilbo displaying appreciation of goodness is he appreciates the kindness of Beorn. Beorn is an allusion to Jesus in this book so it is obvious why Beorn would be so kind but gaining the party’s gratitude increases Beorn’s kindness even more. Providing Bilbo and the dwarves with provisions and advice to get through the forest is just one example. Fighting along with the armies in the Battle is another. Appreciating Beorn made him more willing to

help.
The second situation in which fate plays a role is when we remember goodness.

Bilbo constantly remembers the shire and the comfort it provides. Fate rewards Bilbo for choosing comfort over wealth by giving him eternal satisfaction. “I am sorry to say that he did not mind [other hobbits stealing his things]. He was quite content; and the sound of the kettle on his hearth was ever more musical than it had been even in the quiet days before the Unexpected Party” (278). If Bilbo had chosen wealth instead of comfort then fate would have punished him as it did to Thorin and Smaug. In addition, Bilbo has also remembered Gandalf on several occasions. In particular, when Bilbo and the dwarves were sitting on the grassy space between the wall and the doorstep, frustrated and pondering what to do next, Bilbo thought of Gandalf’s return and fate presented itself by the door opening. If Bilbo had not remembered Gandalf then he and the others would have had to wait another year for the door to open because they would have been too miserable to notice the door this time around. Forgetting goodness has punishments just as remembering it has rewards. One example of Bilbo and company forgetting goodness takes place in the Mirkwood forest. Beorn and Gandalf had warned them not to stray off the path; instead, the group ignored this advice and went to search for food anyway. This act caused the group many troubles such as gigantic spiders and imprisonment by the wood elves. If the group had

heeded this advice then they would have saved much hardship and betrayal.

Along with appreciating and remembering goodness, it is also necessary for one to act on it. One example of Bilbo presenting good ethics is during the troll scene. When Thorin approaches the fire, Bilbo warns him of the trolls and tells him the troll plans. Bilbo obtaining the key, which accessed the troll treasures, rewards this courageous act. Because of this reward, the party came to possess valuable necessities and weapons, which served them well in the future. Another example is when Bilbo shows magnanimity to Gollum by sparing his life. Escaping safely, without hitting his head on the wall is the reward for this amazing act. Following this action is Bilbo’s mercy and compassion towards the butler whom which he stole the keys. The company being able to escape undetected was the reward of kindly returning the keys after freeing the dwarves. If Bilbo had not done this then the group and the butler would have been eventually discovered and punished. Further righteous is Bilbo sacrificing himself to prevent war. Bilbo selflessly gave up the Arkenstone to Bard and because of his good actions; fate rewarded Bilbo in the form of Gandalf reassuring him. The Arkenstone was precious to Thorin, uncovering the fact that Bilbo stole it made Thorin want to kill Bilbo. Fate once again saved Bilbo. Gandalf appeared and protected him by announcing, “Here is Gandalf! And not too soon it seems. If you don’t like my burglar, please don’t damage him. Put him down, and listen first to what he has to say.” These actions and rewards prove that rewards always come with good actions and intentions.
In conclusion, fate shows itself in many anonymous ways. Sometimes it seems that it has betrayed you but that is not the case. All good deeds have rewards and eventually they reveal themselves. It is important to us just as it was to Bilbo to appreciate, remember and act on good. You never know, it might just save your life as it did Bilbo’s life.