The Hobbit Hero’s Journey rough draft
The book, The Hobbit, follows the archetype of the hero’s journey. In the story, Bilbo Baggins is compelled to leave his ordinary hobbit life and join a band of dwarves and a wizard to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and its treasures from Smaug, the evil dragon who stole it from Thorin’s ancestors. Breaking away from a monotonous life was proving to be a difficult task for the tiny hero. He had to learn how to live life as an adventurer. He also had to come to terms and adjust to a normal life once his journey was over. The Hobbit is a major example of the hero’s journey.
There are many components of the hero’s journey in Bilbo’s Departure. Leaving behind a monotonous life was challenging for Bilbo Baggins.
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This is Bilbo’s acceptance of the adventure. Next Bilbo got help from a supernatural aid; a ring. He came across the ring underground in the Goblins territory right before he encountered Gollum. The ring turned out to be Gollum’s and was very important to him, but still Bilbo took it for himself; and that was a smart idea, as it became quite a useful tool throughout his journey. With it he escaped Gollum’s lair; “Gollum was defeated. He dared go no further. He had lost : lost his prey, and lost, too, the only thing he had ever cared about, his precious” (Tolkien 87). The ring helped Bilbo escape the goblins, who Bilbo encountered shortly after fleeing from Gollum. The ring also helped Bilbo escape from the treacherous spiders he and the dwarves came across later on in the story. Finally, Bilbo crossed the threshold, or in other worlds, left the old world behind. The morning after the dwarves had convinced Bilbo to join them, Bilbo found his house trashed, but the dwarves gone. So he assumed they went on without him. Ten minutes before he was due at the Green Dragon Inn, Gandalf appeared at his house informing him that they were all waiting for him to arrive. Flustered, Bilbo was shoved out of his house towards the Inn, without …show more content…
During initiation, Bilbo learns how to live in the new world. Amid the road of trials, the first thing Bilbo learns is that adventure is difficult. Many times throughout his journey, he and the dwarves find themselves starving. It is also difficult due to his relationship with Thorin. He is like a father figure to Bilbo in the sense that he is the leader of the dwarves. But in the end, Bilbo had to turn on Thorin for his own good. Ultimately he died from his wounds from the battle that could have been prevented, although he and Bilbo reconciled before his death; “I wish Thorin were living, but I am glad that we parted in kindness” (Tolkien 290). This type of relationship shows atonement with a father figure in the hero’s journey. It was also difficult in Bilbo’s new world, because Smaug represented a temptress whose reputation was intimidating enough to persuade Bilbo and the dwarves to end their journey before they had even been in his presence. The travelers knew he was undoubtedly daunting and that it would be a difficult task to slay him, for he was very strong and powerful. But that fact did not deter their desire for revenge; “My armour is like tenfold shields, my teeth are swords, my claws are shields, the shock of my tail is a thunderbolt, my wings a hurricane , and my breath death” (Tolkien 226). The next thing Bilbo recognizes in his journey is that he has become a true hero, especially
At the beginning of the adventure, Bilbo was a timid, little hobbit with no idea how to steal or survive outside of his little hobbit hole. When Thorin and the rest of the dwarves first meet Bilbo, they question
The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien is said to be one of the greatest children's novels of all time. The novel, due to its use of such characters as goblins, elves, trolls, giants, and others is in tradition, a fairy tale. The tale centers on a small hobbit by the name of Bilbo Baggins. It follows the journey of a band of dwarves, a wizard named Gandalf, and their robber, Bilbo on their way to retrieving treasure that had long been taken away from them. The hobbit traveled all over Middle-Earth, beginning with Bilbo's tiny hobbit-hole in the ground, to Mirkwood forest, to finally reaching the Mountain in which the dragon Smaug lives. Tolkien uses a large amount of imagery in his writing which can been seen through settings in The Hobbit. The
The hero's journey of Bilbo starts when he is asked by a charter in the book to come on a journey across the country. Bilbo first says no then is convinced that is will be okay to go. They first start the trip, then Bilbo starts to get a little worried,
The ring makes him invisible, but he doesn’t know that yet. He then comes across a little shriveled up hobbit named Gollum. He knows the way out of the cave so he made a bet with Bilbo. If you can beat me in a game of riddles I will show you the way out, but if I win I get to eat you. Bilbo bravely accepts his challenge. Bilbo then wins the challenge by pure luck. “What have I got in my pocket?” (Tolkein, 78) That was his last riddle that Gollum didn’t get. Gollum gets mad and thinks Bilbo is trying to trick him. He then puts on the ring. Gollum then goes to the exit of the cave unknowingly followed by Bilbo. Bilbo then jumps over Gollum and out the door. He was very brave to face Gollum.
In The Hobbit Bilbo and his dwarf friends come across conflict many times. The first conflict in the story is character vs. self, which happens within the first chapter of the book when the dwarfs invite Bilbo to join them on their journey as their burglar. When this happens he grapples with himself on whether to go on the journey and be like the Took side of the family, or take after his Dad and live a quiet peaceful life
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.
The development of Bilbo's character is evident when comparing his initial feelings and abilities in the first chapter with those he develops and demonstrates in chapter eight. Bilbo Baggins is just a regular hobbit who likes his quiet and cozy life. He lives in a comfortable home in the Shire and doesn't want anything to disrupt his ordinary routine. Bilbo doesn't like adventures or anything that might change his usual, calm days. When Gandalf and the Dwarves show up, he's not excited or happy about it.
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
Bilbo Baggins is the courageous hero of this story who knows how to get out of a pickle. His quest to defeat the mighty Smog will amaze and startle you. Baggins is the hero of this story because he goes on a quest for identity. A quest for identity is not very common in books for smaller kids, but will in pre-teen and up, so this isn’t too uncommon. This is the quest to find who you are or to find a new part of your personality.
“Going on from there was the bravest thing he ever did. The tremendous things that happened afterward were as nothing compared to it. He fought the real battle in the tunnel alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait” (132). In J.R.R.Tolkien’s The Hobbit, the reader is taken through a parable that follows Bilbo Baggins on the ‘Hero’s Journey.’ This fantasy classic begins with an ‘everyman’ hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who takes on a perilous journey to reclaim the dwarves’ homeland, The Lonely Mountain. After being spurred into action by Gandalf, the herald and mentor figure, Bilbo finds himself going on a pernicious venture that contradicts his docile nature, pushing him to play the role of
First of all, he gains courage in the story. Before he went on this adventure, he was timid and to himself. This is because hobbits didn’t go on anything dangerous, especially adventures. This all changes as soon as Bilbo goes on this journey with Gandalf and the dwarves. We see our first example of this when he tries to steal from the three huge, nasty
By putting his life in danger Bilbo shows a true example of heroism. Though the dwarves were still skeptical of his abilities, they were starting to take into consideration of what Gandalf had said about this little hobbit. Continuing their adventure the group is attacked by goblins where they are eventually saved by Gandalf. Throughout the turmoil of the attacking goblins Bilbo gets lost in the caves and finds himself alone in the darkness. It is in this event when Bilbo finds Gollum’s ring. Gollum was a sickly looking creature that had been dwelling in the caves for many years. Bilbo used his wits to outsmart the creature by playing a riddle game with him and eventually made it to safety. Having Bilbo win the riddle game shows that his smart and witty mind aids him in becoming the hero. Bilbo wasn’t some tough strong stereotypical super hero, he used his smarts to outwit his foes and to triumph over evil. Though Bilbo at the time did not know the power of the ring that he had retrieved from Gollum’s lair (the power of invisibility), it was his heroic fate that he found it as it assist him in becoming the hero of the story. Fate has it that Bilbo will become a hero, but Bilbo also has the courage on top of his fate to get the dwarves out of life threatening situations.
Not only does the portrayal of Bilbo’s character and underlying courage convey his heroism, but so does his sense of ethics. This is what truly makes him a unique, caring hero. While a typical hero’s motive is wealth and fame, Bilbo gave up his share of the dwarves’ treasure to help avoid war between two nations that severely despise one another (the elf and dwarf kingdoms). The fact that he was willing to give up his wealth to avoid war and for the good of other people marks a significant aspect of his heroism and explains why he is “more worthy to wear the armor of elf-princes than many that have
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
The hero’s journey begins with the hero being introduced in their ordinary world. This is where the reader learns about the hero’s background, flaws and strengths. This is so that the reader can establish a bond with the situation, which gives them experience of an adventure through the hero. In chapter 1 of The Hobbit, Tolkien introduces Bilbo Baggins as an ordinary hobbit who lives in an ordinary hobbit hole on the side of The Hill. In this chapter Tolkien hints towards Bilbo’s mother’s side, the Took-clan, who ‘something was not entirely hobbit like about them’ (Page 13).