The Hobbit By J.R.R. Tolken Essay, Research Paper
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolken
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, one of a race of short, timid creatures who live in
cozy tunnels and who prefer to keep their lives ordered and predictable. One day,
he unexpectedly finds himself playing host to Gandalf the wizard and thirteen
dwarves. The dwarves, with Gandalf’s help, plan to travel to the Lonely Mountain
to recover the treasure that a dragon named Smaug stole from their people long
ago. Gandalf has selected Bilbo to be their burglar. The dwarves are not too
happy with the wizard’s choice, especially when Bilbo faints at the first talk
of danger. But Gandalf insists there is more to the little hobbit than meets the
eye. Bilbo himself is not sure that he is happy about being chosen burglar. But
a part of him does yearn for adventure, and so one spring morning he finds
himself setting out for Lonely Mountain with Gandalf and the thirteen dwarves.
He does not prove very helpful at first. But then something happens that changes
Bilbo’s life. He finds a magic ring that makes him invisible, and has several
opportunities to use it to rescue the dwarves from danger and imprisonment. They
become quite impressed by him, and even rely on him, just as Gandalf foretold.
Bilbo and the dwarves finally reach Lonely Mountain, the home of Smaug the
dragon. The dwarves send Bilbo down a secret passage to the dragon’s lair. Bilbo
has more confidence in himself now and not only steals a cup, but manages to
hold his own in a conversation with the wily Smaug (not an easy thing to
do).Furious that someone has dared steal a piece of his treasure, Smaug attacks
the mountainside where the dwarves have their camp. Then he flies toward Lake-
town, to punish the inhabitants for helping the dwarves. The people of Lake-town
run at the sight of Smaug, but one man, Bard, holds his ground. He kills the
dragon with his last arrow and escapes before Smaug falls, smashing the town.
Believing the dwarves are dead, an army of men, led by Bard, and an army of
elves march toward the Lonely Mountain to divide the treasure. They find to
their surprise that the dwarves are still alive. Bard, because he killed the
dragon, claims his rightful share of the treasure. When the dwarves refuse to
surrender it, the army besieges the mountain. Bilbo tries to end the dispute by
stealing the Arkenstone, the piece of treasure most valued by the leade
dwarves. He gives the jewel to Bard, hoping it can be used to force the dwarves
to negotiate. Bilbo’s bravery wins him praise from all but the dwarves, who are
furious with him. When more dwarves arrive from the north, they are determined
to fight. Just as war begins to break out, an army of goblins and wild wolves
attack. The dwarves, elves, and men forget their differences and join together
to keep from being killed. Help comesat the time of greatest need, and the
goblins are defeated. Bilbo finds that he’s a hero, honored by men and elves and
even given a share of the treasure. But he’s had enough of adventure and sets
off for home with Gandalf. Once there, he finds that his house and furnishings
are being auctioned off, since everyone believed him dead. Finally, everything
is straightened out and he is able to settle down again into his old,
comfortable life. Although from then on, he is considered eccentric by his
neighbors, he continues his friendship with elves and dwarves and the wizard,
happily recounting his tales to any who will listen. Themes are quite evident
throughout the story of The Hobbit and some of them were more significant than
others. The question of determinism is only hinted at in the last chapter of The
Hobbit, when Gandalf suggests to Bilbo that his adventures may have been
completed for some higher purpose. In The Hobbit the evils of possessiveness
can be easily seen. The hobbits are corrupted by their desire for treasure, and
their greed almost leads to war with men and elves. The main theme that prevails
in this Tolken novel is the on going struggle between the elite and the
plebeians. This can be seen most clearly in The Hobbit. They are weak and often
foolish, yet capable of great acts of heroism that amaze even the very wise and
the such as when Bilbo stole the possessions of Smaug. The Hobbit was a epic
novel written by the greatest author of his time. The Hobbit falls in the series
of books that include The Lord of the Rings and have a full book conclusion to
the trilogy called The Simacurilium. The way that Tolken writes his book is a
way that brings forth the fealing that it is being read to aloud and the reader
is acctually along side Gandalf due to the use of vivid words and different
literary techniques. The novels are quite worth reading and a one is promised
that they shall not get bored with Gandalf and all his wondrous adventures.