The Hobbit: The Hero's Journey

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When I read “The Hobbit”, by J.R.R. Tolkien, I was surprised by how marvelous the story was, but I was even more overwhelmed when I found out it followed a system called The Hero’s Journey. J.R.R. Tolkien, the British author who perhaps is most known for his “Lord of the Rings” series, is one of the most talented fantasy writers the world has come to known. But the prequel of the “Lord of the Rings” series, “The Hobbit”, which was mentioned earlier, is equally entertaining. The story goes as this. A hobbit named Bilbo Baggins was living his ordinary life. Then, Gandalf, a wizard, along with 12 dwarves take him on an adventure to reclaim the dwarves’ treasure from the dragons. While facing many obstacles, Bilbo finds a ring that makes him invisible, …show more content…

As it can be seen in “The Hobbit”, Tolkien writes this: “Very pretty!” said Gandalf. “But I have no time to blow smoke-rings this morning. I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.” (The Hobbit, pg. 6-7) Gandalf rather tells Bilbo to come to the trip with this quote. Although Bilbo declines, which would be the refusal of the call, Gandalf tries again and suggests, “Yes you have! Twice now. My pardon. I give it to you. In fact I will go so far as to send you on this adventure…” (The Hobbit, pg. 8) Tolkien, again, takes a very straightforward approach using Gandalf to Bilbo, asking him to go on the trip. Bilbo declines again, but on the next day, Gandalf and the 12 dwarves come into Bilbo’s house to discuss the plan. During planning, in the novel, “The Hobbit”, Gandalf states, “Of course there is a mark,” and he continues to say “I put it there myself. For very good reasons. You asked me to find the fourteenth man for the expedition, and I chose Mr. Baggins…” (The Hobbit, pg. 22) This may be considered the “real: call to adventure, for this time, BIlbo cannot back out or simply decline. He must accept his fate, go on the adventure, and must cope with his …show more content…

One of the stages that is in Act II is the 9th stage, or the reward. Page 279 on the “The Hobbit”, which is included in the 9th stage, has a part of the text saying, “Behold! the birds are gathering back again to the Mountain and to Dale from South and East and West, for word has come out that Smaug is dead!” (The Hobbit, pg. 279) Though this was not the original objective of the quest, it seems as if it became one throughout. Everybody hated Smaug, so when he died, that could a reward in the story. On the same page of “The Hobbit”, Tolkien writes, “Dead! Dead?” shouted the dwarves. “Dead! Then we have been in needless fear - and the treasure is ours!” (The Hobbit, pg. 279) They found the treasure that they were seeking, and now that Smaug had been killed, the dwarves have access to it. Clearly, this scene shows the dwarves acknowledging that they can obtain the treasure that they were pursuing all throughout the journey. Lastly, on page 256 on “The Hobbit”, there is a scene where Bilbo finds the treasure that Thorin was looking for. It says, “Then they saw him halt and stop for a moment; but they did not know the reason… It was the Arkenstone, the Heart of the Mountain” (The Hobbit, pg. 256) What Thorin wanted most, the Arkenstone, is found in this scene. Since this was one of the biggest treasures in the book, finding it indicates a reward in the

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