Analyzing Characters in Tolkien's The Hobbit
The Hobbit (1937) by J.R.R. Tolkien is an exciting novel, an adventure that takes on a whole new meaning. At the start of the novel, Bilbo Baggins, an ordinary hobbit, is doing what the ordinary hobbit does, just staying at home. Hobbits are very comfortable with life and look for no excitement or change whatsoever. When Gandalf shows up on the doorstep of Bilbo Baggins' cave (home), it was a major shock to him. Slowly dwarves show up at his doorstep, after Gandalf leaves, they slowly appear groups at a time. After thirteen dwarves show up on Bilbo's doorstep and make themselves at home, Bilbo starts to freak out and wonders why this is happening to him on a beautiful, and what he thought
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By the end of the novel, Bilbo becomes a wise hobbit who leads his companions out of harm's way and out of danger. The quest for Bilbo is not only a search for the treasure but also for the hidden aspects of his character. Bilbo is the protagonist of the novel, and throughout the adventure, there is no question if he is part of the good forces. He remains an honest hobbit until the end, not persuaded by an excessive desire for gold or by the need to prove his worth and power. The entire story demonstrates that Bilbo is a decent guy and he will not change under any circumstance. Never does he complain about his concerns for food and comfort. He does not want this to affect or influence his behavior or the group's behavior in any way throughout journey.
His changes start at his first attempt of stealing from trolls. After almost being eaten, and barely escaping, the first stage of his transformation begins. On page 30, this quote explains that Bilbo is changing from his norm:
"To the end of his days Bilbo could never remember how he found himself outside, without a hat, a walking-stick or any money or anything that he usually took when he went out; leaving his second breakfast half-finished and quite unwashed-up, pushing his keys into Gandalf's hands, and running as fast as his furry feet could carry him down the lane, pass the great Mill, across The Water and then on for a mile or more."
The next stage is
In 1949, Joseph Campbell discussed the hero’s journey, the foundation commonly used in stories throughout history. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, the hero’s journey narrative is used to tell the story of Bilbo Baggins’s adventure. The novel follows Bilbo Baggins and a company of dwarves as they seek to take back the dwarves’ fallen kingdom. As the story progresses, Bilbo’s character develops and the dwarves perception of him develops through the many trials before the death of Smaug the dragon and the final battle between a variety of mythical creatures. In The Hobbit, the dwarves originally doubt Bilbo’s abilities but as Bilbo encounters more obstacles and succeeds, the dwarves perception turns to one of respect and admiration.
Bilbo was in situations in which he had to fend for himself. When Gandalf, Bilbo, and the dwarves were kidnapped by the goblins, Bilbo escaped and had to survive in the Mountains by himself. He had had no companions and it had been pitch black in the tunnels. He was also in many situations in which he had to fend of his life, as well as the lives of the thirteen dwarves.
Bilbo lives a quiet and comfortable life in his hobbit hole in Bag end and he almost never leaves home. But the wizard knows that there is more to Bilbo that meets the eye and he has certain powers that can help the dwarves in their journey to
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
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit living in the Shire having a peaceful quiet life in his hobbit hole. One day after living a life of leisure and pleasure he is awakened by a rude knock on his door. In a matter of a few hours he will meet the people that changed his life for good. The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien is a story about a hobbit and his adventure. His adventure starts with a knock on his door by his old Friend Gandalf. Gandalf then promptly asks Bilbo”I am looking for someone to share in an adventure”(tolkien). Bilbo then denies Gandalf and continuous with his usual day until that night. When Bilbo is about to eat his dinner he gets a knock. He opens it to find two dwarves Dwalin and Balin. Bilbo 's shocked but invites them in. Bilbo does this eval times until he 's left with thirteen dwarves Dwalin, Balin, Kili, Fili, Dori, Ori, Nori, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, and Thorin Oakenshield. They then invite him on a quest that would change his life. During his quest he faces many evils and overcomes them all to become a hero.
Bilbo Baggins is one of the main characters of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Being a main character in a story, especially an adventure story, typically comes with some pretty hefty responsibilities. More often than not, the main character is also the hero. A hero is defined as “a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities,” and these are not necessarily qualities readily attributed to Bilbo Baggins (oxforddictionaries.com). This essay will look at three ways in which Bilbo contrasts the traditional characteristics of a hero and what transformations he ends up making to fit the mold more closely. It will examine his lineage, his strength, and his attitude as well as the changes he makes throughout the story.
Him being at his home being comfortable and sitting outside and smoking his pipe at the beginning of the story. The here comes Gandalf with his long staff, and Bilbo greets him and say good morning to him. Gandalf says “What do you mean? Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?” Bilbo says all of them and invites Gandalf to sit down with him. Gandalf says that he does not have time to sit he is looking for someone to go on an adventure. Bilbo tells him he won’t find anyone around these parts. People who live in the Hill are quiet folks they aren’t into adventures. The rising action of the Hobbit is when Gandalf appears and asks Bilbo if he would like to go on an adventure. Bilbo of course at first says no and that hobbit’s do not go on adventures. Bilbo invites Gandalf tea and Gandalf accepts and before he leaves he leaves a sign on Bilbo’s front door. The next day Bilbo up and doing the things he would normally do when he hears a knock at his door. He thought it was Gandalf but it was Dwalin. Then two more dwarves Kili and Fili. Five more dwarves show up Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, and Gloin. Then Gandalf arrives with four more dwarves Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, and Thorin. They all start discussing the adventure, the map, and who was going to do what. Bilbo is excited about the adventure but
In conclusion, we can now see that Bilbo is in fact a dynamic character. He gains many qualities he can use in the future, like courage, learning to use his wits, and letting out the adventurous side in him. He used to be almost paranoid, to himself, and strict. But now he has turned into something much bigger, an adventurer. So the adventure changed him for the better. This is how Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit we thought would never do anything
Exploring the Factors that Define a Person's Identity in The Hobbit by J.R. Tolkien Identity is the basis of individuality. It determines who one is; who one chooses to be; how one is perceived by others. This philosophy is applied no differently in 'The Hobbit', written by J.R. Tolkien. It is a fantasy-adventure tale about a peaceful creature called a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, who is hauled into an adventure by a well-known wizard, Gandalf. He sets off with thirteen dwarves in a quest for the treasure belonging to the leader of the dwarves, Thorin.
Bilbo diminishes the idea of an adventure, which makes him a coward because he has never been on an adventure. He believes that adventures should be lived in extreme comfort, such as bringing an handkerchief and a hat on the journey. A hero would deal with the uncomfort. Finally, Bilbo puts on his magic ring and hides from the Battle of the Five Armies. Bilbo Baggins often hides from the truth and does whatever it takes to avoid danger.
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
Baggins. He felt a different person, and much fiercer and bolder in spite of an empty stomach” (Tolkien 141-142). This event has led to Bilbo beginning to believe in himself, which is an important contribution to his overall development into the hero of this tale. Finally, when Bilbo is met with the task of meeting the dragon Smaug, he does not turn back. Even when he must walk alone through the dark, secluded hallway to Smaug’s lair knowing that he could meet his doom at any instant, he walked on. His internal being knows this is his final test of courage, and his will to carry on demonstrates his final development into a hero.
Bilbo is a hobbit, quite content staying where not much happens. His comfort was shattered by the arrival of the old wizard Gandalf, who persuades Bilbo to set out on an adventure with a group of thirteen militant dwarves. “As the dwarves sang the hobbit felt the love of beautiful things made by hands and by cunning and by magic moving through him, a fierce and jealous love, the desire of the hearts of dwarves. Then something Tookish woke up inside him, and he wished to go and see the great mountains, and hear the pine-trees and the waterfalls, and explore the caves, and wear a sword instead of a walking-stick.” (hobbit) Bilbo didn’t want material things
The story starts from the side of Mr. Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo starts as a nervous & annoyed host. He is hobbit, & his folk are reserved, but kind & carefree. Hobbits love to accommodate company when the time arrives, but this night Bilbo was in a ruck. Spontaneously, 13 dwarves & Gandalf tediously trickled through the door in groups & demanded dinner. Bilbo was not expecting these unknown & unplanned visitors, especially the grand total of 14! They ate & sang all night, while little time was devoted to business, which was planned that night. Bilbo was exhausted, unpleased, & unaffiliated with the pressing event they gathered to discuss. He was only aware that Gandalf selected him to be the Burglar of the party, which just so happened to be a vast journey across Middle-Earth. Unbeknownst to anyone, this was the start of a haunting tale, which Bilbo would never overlook. The first prominent issue Bilbo had to resolve the trolls. The group utilized this to test Bilbo’s strength, courage, brains, & stealth. Throughout the story, Bilbo continues to earn his spot among the dwarves, while the party is continually slammed with additional problems, however, everyday & every challenge reveals more of the nature of the dwarves & of Bilbo. With his role concluded & the Battle of Five Armies won, the yearning for home was too much to bear. Bilbo decided to travel home & achieve his part in the adventure of a lifetime. Each dwarf had grown quite fond of Bilbo, for the journey wouldn’t have been a success without their Burglar. The travel home was bittersweet & was a wonderful memoir of his quest. Gandalf accompanied him all the way to his Hobbit Hole on the Hill in Bag-End. Can we label Bilbo a hero? If so, what kind of hero is he? Is he a hero in history or in the eyes of the dwarves? Was Bilbo a savior for the descendants to come or the
Prior to the quest, Bilbo Baggins was a conservative, respectable and stubborn hobbit who lead a rich and comfortable life (Stephanie web). These characteristics, as well as safety and a dull existence, are typical of the Baggins