From Homebody to Hero: The Courageous Tale of The Hobbit
The Hobbit is a fantasy novel written by J.R.R. Tolkien. The book follows Bilbo Baggins’s journey to help a group of dwarves take back a mountain from a dragon named Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is one of the most likable characters in this book. His character stays with the reader even after you finish the book. At first, Bilbo is portrayed as a bumbling, naive fool who abhors traveling, but he ends up becoming a hero.
Although we are not hobbits like Bilbo, he is a relatable character. He lived an uneventful life like most do until he met the dwarves. He enjoys the coziness of his home, he loves food, and he is just trying to enjoy his humble life in his hobbit hole. Unlike the typical hero in stories, Bilbo hasn’t fought in any wars nor does he have any special ability. He is not a hero because he was born one, rather he becomes a hero through overcoming the challenges he faces. In the first part of the story, Bilbo is uncomfortable, always complaining, and terrified. He misses the safety of his hobbit hole. For example, Bilbo says ‘“I wish I was at home in my nice hole by the fire, with the kettle just beginning to sing!’” (Tolkein 36), missing the comfort of his home.
Before continuing, please keep in mind there are spoilers ahead. In the beginning of chapter 5, Bilbo finds a ring that he puts in his pocket without thinking. He meets a creature named Gollum who asks Bilbo riddles for his life. Gollum originally owned the ring and when he finds out he lost it, he becomes infuriated and tries to attack Bilbo. When escaping from Gollum, he later discovers that this ring can turn him invisible: “ Gollum passed by, taking no notice of him, cursing and whispering as he ran'' (Tolkein 92). This ring immensely helps Bilbo with his heroic acts later in the story.
In chapter 8, Bilbo rescues the dwarves from big, giant spiders that trapped them in webs. Bilbo “ darted backwards and forwards, slashing at spider-threads, hacking at their legs, and stabbing at their fat bodies if they came too near,'' (Tolkein 179), even though it was a challenging feat. Bilbo and the dwarves are trapped by spiders, soon to be feasted on by them. However, Bilbo wakes up just in time and cuts himself loose from the web he is trapped in. Soon after, he distracts the spiders, cuts the dwarves down and kills the spiders. This event probably had the biggest impact on Bilbo; the dwarves “ praised him so much that Bilbo began to feel there really was something of a bold adventurer about himself after all,” (Tolkein 181). As dwarves prais Bilbo, he sees himself in a better light: as a courageous hero.
In conclusion, the Hobbit is a fantastic book that I highly recommend to anyone who is interested in fantasy novels. What makes the Hobbit so great are the characters, and how they develop throughout the story. Bilbo Baggins, the main character of the Hobbit, changes the most out of everyone. He starts as an uncomfortable, terrified person and transforms into a courageous and heroic man due to the challenges he faces. The two biggest events that ended up having the most impact on Bilbo as a character are when he obtains the ring and when he rescues the dwarves from the spiders, as they helped him realize that no matter what his past self was like, he is always able to change and become a hero.
The Hobbit is a fantasy novel written by J.R.R. Tolkien. The book follows Bilbo Baggins’s journey to help a group of dwarves take back a mountain from a dragon named Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is one of the most likable characters in this book. His character stays with the reader even after you finish the book. At first, Bilbo is portrayed as a bumbling, naive fool who abhors traveling, but he ends up becoming a hero.
Although we are not hobbits like Bilbo, he is a relatable character. He lived an uneventful life like most do until he met the dwarves. He enjoys the coziness of his home, he loves food, and he is just trying to enjoy his humble life in his hobbit hole. Unlike the typical hero in stories, Bilbo hasn’t fought in any wars nor does he have any special ability. He is not a hero because he was born one, rather he becomes a hero through overcoming the challenges he faces. In the first part of the story, Bilbo is uncomfortable, always complaining, and terrified. He misses the safety of his hobbit hole. For example, Bilbo says ‘“I wish I was at home in my nice hole by the fire, with the kettle just beginning to sing!’” (Tolkein 36), missing the comfort of his home.
Before continuing, please keep in mind there are spoilers ahead. In the beginning of chapter 5, Bilbo finds a ring that he puts in his pocket without thinking. He meets a creature named Gollum who asks Bilbo riddles for his life. Gollum originally owned the ring and when he finds out he lost it, he becomes infuriated and tries to attack Bilbo. When escaping from Gollum, he later discovers that this ring can turn him invisible: “ Gollum passed by, taking no notice of him, cursing and whispering as he ran'' (Tolkein 92). This ring immensely helps Bilbo with his heroic acts later in the story.
In chapter 8, Bilbo rescues the dwarves from big, giant spiders that trapped them in webs. Bilbo “ darted backwards and forwards, slashing at spider-threads, hacking at their legs, and stabbing at their fat bodies if they came too near,'' (Tolkein 179), even though it was a challenging feat. Bilbo and the dwarves are trapped by spiders, soon to be feasted on by them. However, Bilbo wakes up just in time and cuts himself loose from the web he is trapped in. Soon after, he distracts the spiders, cuts the dwarves down and kills the spiders. This event probably had the biggest impact on Bilbo; the dwarves “ praised him so much that Bilbo began to feel there really was something of a bold adventurer about himself after all,” (Tolkein 181). As dwarves prais Bilbo, he sees himself in a better light: as a courageous hero.
In conclusion, the Hobbit is a fantastic book that I highly recommend to anyone who is interested in fantasy novels. What makes the Hobbit so great are the characters, and how they develop throughout the story. Bilbo Baggins, the main character of the Hobbit, changes the most out of everyone. He starts as an uncomfortable, terrified person and transforms into a courageous and heroic man due to the challenges he faces. The two biggest events that ended up having the most impact on Bilbo as a character are when he obtains the ring and when he rescues the dwarves from the spiders, as they helped him realize that no matter what his past self was like, he is always able to change and become a hero.
I have read this book, and I think your review does an excellent job of capturing the transformation of the sedentary Bilbo Baggins into the well-traveled hero we see later on in the Lord of The Rings. Your review makes me want to reread The Hobbit. It is fun to follow along with Bilbo’s journey as he is changing and becoming more curious about the world, and simultaneously becoming more brave. The reader may identify with Bilbo’s transition, and also become curious about Middle Earth. I appreciated your focusing on Bilbo’s killing of the spiders, as it opens his mind to the fact that he is becoming an adventurer. One cannot help but grow attached to Tolkien’s fictional world, and want to see more of its secrets and mysteries (just as Bilbo does). The development of Bilbo as a character is fascinating, and I enjoyed reading your review, especially your focus on the development of the protagonist.
ReplyDeleteI have read The Hobbit and I think you do a really good job describing Bilbo's transformation throughout the story. As said in the post, Bilbo starts out as a home loving hobbit, wanting nothing more than to stay and enjoy the comforts of his hobbit hole. But as mentioned in the review, Bilbo changes drastically throughout the book, most notably when he must fight the spiders. I like how you focused on the fight with the spiders because that is a moment where Bilbo changes quite a bit. He earns praise from the dwarves and he gains confidence. I enjoyed reading this review and I'm going to give The Lord of the Rings another try.
ReplyDeleteI have read this book, and this review is a great way to get new readers introduced to it. I love how you describe the mental transition Bilbo goes through, slowly gaining courage to fight with his friends. In the book's summary, I like the fact that you added how Bilbo unwillingly went on this journey and how he would much rather stay home in his cozy, comfortable abode. This was a great book review, and maybe I might even re The Hobbit again!
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