Evan R. Schimmel
Mr. Strait
Reading Hour 5
10 December 2015
Themes in The Hobbit
The Hobbit, originally written in 1937 by the masterful author J.R.R. Tolkien, tells an eloquently crafted story about a hobbit, a wizard, and a group of thirteen dwarves. In The Hobbit, great accomplishments are difficult without the aid of others.
The first way that great accomplishments are difficult without the aid of others was when the company was taken hostage by the goblin king. Gandalf was the one to assist in this situation and if Gandalf had not helped then the company would not have escaped. In The Hobbit on page 61 it states, “Just at that moment all the lights in the cavern went out, and the great fire went poof into a tower of blue glowing smoke. (Tolkien 61). This was the initial moment when the dwarves and Bilbo know that they would be rescued. The scene continues on page 62, “Then, Gandalf lit up his wand. Of course it was Gandalf, but just then they were too busy to ask how he got there” (Tolkien 62). In this quote Gandalf used his magic for good, not evil, and for the benefit of the group, which shows that he wants them to be safe. In this
The ring was wielded by magic from someone, so someone was indirectly aiding Bilbo. “He sneezed loudly, and the elves immediately gathered towards the sound, [...] he slipped on the ring, and popped from behind a rock” (Tolkien 246). This was when he encounters the wood elves for the first time, and he uses the ring to his advantage to try to avoid an encounter with the elves. “As soon as Bombur had gone, Bilbo put on his ring, fastened his rope, slipped over the wall, and was gone” (Tolkien 245). This quote helps the reader infer that Bilbo can do things with the ring that he could not do without it. So, great accomplishments are difficult without the aid of
He left the hobbit, but not before he had scratched a sign on Bilbo’s door. The following day, Gandalf showed for tea, along with thirteen dwarves. This was the beginning of the adventures between the hobbit and the dwarves. The next day, Bilbo somehow found himself leaving his comfortable hobbit hole, and on what seemed to be an adventure. This was the beginning of not just one, but many adventures for Bilbo.
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.
Although he is rebuked, Bilbo returns to the mountain for many purposes. It is primarily because Bilbo has gone through so much with the dwarfs and cares a great deal for them. He has lead them to the mountain, nearly starved, killed giant spiders, and put his life on the edge to save the dwarfs. When the times got tough they always relied on one another. For instance, Bilbo outwitted the guards by sneaking the dwarfs out of their prison cells and hiding them in
A good adventure can start with the foolishest things planned or not, it's challenges await. Bilbo Baggins is a Hobbit who is one day greeted by a wizard named Gandalf, who invites him on an adventure. Because Hobbits are known for not going on adventures he declined, but once the 12 dwarves came, he was inclined to do so. In The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien uses imagery to assist the reader visualizing the terror Bilbo feels, as he gets over his fear for adventures.
After the dwarves have gone to sleep, Bilbo begins to have second thoughts about going on the adventure, “The Tookishness was wearing off, and he was not now quite sure that he was going on any journey in the morning” (Tolkien 27). Bilbo does not know if he wants to go on this adventure that Gandalf is planning, but changes his mind during the Acceptance of the Call. The next morning, Gandalf shows Bilbo the note under his clock, and Bilbo leaves to meet up with the dwarves to go on the adventure, “To the end of his days Bilbo could never remember how he found himself outside, without a hat, a walking-stick or any money” (Tolkien 30). This leads right to the third part of The Departure; Supernatural Aid. Gandalf the wizard, is Bilbo’s Supernatural Aid, he mentors and assists Bilbo and the dwarves on their quest. “They had not been riding very long, when up came Gandalf very splendid on a white horse. He had brought a lot of pocket-handkerchiefs, and Bilbo’s pipe tobacco” (Tolkien 31). While this does not indicate Gandalf’s supernatural abilities, it does; however, show that Gandalf will be there for, and assist the group in any way
...; and if by life or death I can save you, I will,” (194). Aragorn, also known as Strider, accompanied the hobbits from the Prancing Pony Inn all the way to the Council of Elrond. Gandalf was also a guiding path for Frodo keeping him updated on the evils of the Ring. I CAN’T FIND A QUOTE. But even with all his guidance Frodo still feels temptation from this Ring of power. “A sudden unreasoning fear of discovery laid hold of Frodo, and he thought of his Ring. He hardly dared to breathe, and yet the desire to get it out of his pocket became so strong that he began slowly to move his hand. He felt that he had only to slip it on, and then he would be safe,” (83). Frodo Baggins with knowledge and guidance was able to make good choices throughout his journey to Mordor in the Fellowship of the Ring because of his knowledge of the Ring and the guidance that surrounded him.
...s. Bilbo is the one that gives the precious Arkenstone to Bard to help stop a war from starting. If it was not for Bilbo’s courage, Thorin would still be fighting for the Arkenstone and might have also been hurt. Bilbo also helps the dwarves by being a good leader and helping them find a way out of Smaug’s lair. Without Bilbo, the dwarves would not have the audacity to try finding a way out of Smaug’s cave. Bilbo, like a real hero, always makes sure that he finishes the task he sets out to do. Without Bilbo, the dwarves would not be able to finish all the tasks that they want to finish. Bilbo is also the reason why the dwarves are still alive. Bilbo saves the dwarves from many different disasters. The disasters range from the spiders to Smaug. Through good or bad, Bilbo has been able to show the characteristics that a real hero should be able to show.
In conclusion, it is through Bilbo’s intelligence and courage, and the loyalty he showed to the others around him that establish him as an indubitable hero. Bilbo was able to heroically lead the dwarves and without his contribution in the adventure, it would not have been possible for them to achieve what they did. Bilbo is a small person with a big heart, who was able to make a difference without fighting or using his power to change anything through force. He was able to demonstrate his compassion, innocence, and ethics in his development into a hero. Nevertheless, his heroic deeds did not change whom he is as a person, which contrasts greatly with how a hero is defined today. Overall, Bilbo was a hobbit with courage that contributed into shaping his world into one where honesty, peace, forgiveness, and merry meals make it a better place.
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
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...
Just before he leaves, Gandalf asks Bilbo for his ring. Due to the power in which the ring possesses while it is in his possession, he does not want to give it up. The novel ends with the destruction of the Fellowship due to the power in which the ring contains. One of the prime facts of the Middle Earth is power. Power is not neutral, but is always evil.
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...
...ting points of the plot also relied on Bilbo’s courage. If Bilbo did not have such a valuable trait, the story of the Hobbit would’ve been fairly short.
Bilbo Baggins is the root of Frodo’s adventures, posing as the Call and initial reason for the adventure. Frodo grew up listening to Bilbo’s stories of the Lonely Mountain and longed to adventure himself. Then, when Bilbo left the Shire for the last time, he inherited “The One Ring” (earlier obtained by Bilbo by an elaborate and exciting adventure). In the story, a powerful wizard, Gandalf the Grey, and old friend of the Baggins informs Frodo of the terrible identity of the Ring.