The Hero's Journey In The Hobbit By J. R.

Many people believe that a hero is born with the typical traits of strength and power. Others believe that a hero develops into a hero through his or her experiences. Bilbo Baggins’ story exemplifies that is hero is not born, but made as he journeys through Joseph Campbell’s stages of becoming a hero. Joseph Campbell breaks a hero’s journey down into twelve clearly defined stages. The character gradually transitions into each stage throughout the novel, and eventually reaches the point of heroism. Bilbo Baggins follows Campbell’s twelve stage journey throughout The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Bilbo’s actions and events that occurred in The Hobbit, support that Bilbo transitions into each stage of the journey. Not only do Bilbo’s actions support

that he ventures through the journey to heroism, but Bilbo’s heroic journey reveals to readers valuable concepts that they can take away from the story.

The first stages of a hero’s journey, are the Ordinary World and the Call to Adventure. At the beginning of a character’s heroic transformation, the character lives in a world that they consider to be their safe place; the world in which they live their everyday life (Bronzite). For Bilbo Baggins, his safe place is his hobbit hole located in The Hill. “His home is a symbol of a mother’s womb, a safe place where he is still a child even in adult age” (Wiklander). His home being a symbol of a mother’s womb emphasizes that his home is a safe place, as the womb of a mother is often considered a safe place for developing infants. His hobbit hole is where he yields an ordinary life and the place where he spends a majority of his time. While in During the Ordinary World stage, readers learn “crucial details about the character, his true nature, capabilities and outlook on life” (Bronzite). Readers discover that Bilbo Baggins lives an extremely quiet life, absent of excursions and adventures. The narrator

of The Hobbit stated “they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected” (Tolkien 3). The description the narrator provides about hobbits, gives readers a general idea of Bilbo’s true nature of having the tendency to remain in his comfort zone instead of taking risks by going on adventures. The normalcy of Bilbo’s life and the descriptions of his true nature, support that he is currently in the Ordinary World stage of his journey. Throughout this stage, Bilbo is described as a character that “sits on his doorstep, calm and content” (Huffstutler). Bilbo is content living in the ordinary world he knows as The Hill. Just as his contentedness is made evident to readers, his ordinary life is interrupted by unfamiliar visitors. This event transitions to the stage classified as The Call to Adventure. During the Call to Adventure “there is an awakening of the self to an unknown, unexpected world. The character becomes aware of a new, unusual, exciting, forbidden, and/or foreign worlds” (Krucli). The dwarf Thorin states “we shall soon before the break of day start on our long journey” (Tolkien 17). The call to adventure occurs here for Bilbo. Gandalf and the dwarves propose going on a long, and dangerous journey to the Lonely Mountain. Setting off on a long journey is a very unusual event, and Bilbo is fascinated by the idea of traveling to a region he has never been to before. However, the Call to Adventure is not easily accepted by developing heros, and Bilbo exhibits his concerns and weariness.

Following the Call to Adventure, Bilbo continues to the stages identified as Refusal to the Call and Meeting the Mentor.

As any developing hero does, Bilbo contemplates accepting the Call to Adventure. At the time for the hero, “the problem he faces may seem to much to handle and the comfort of home far more attractive than the perilous road ahead” (Bronzite). Bilbo has adapted to a calm and quiet style of living, and has found content in living in his hobbit hole. He recognizes the possible dangers of the journey and would much rather stay in the comfort of his own home. Thorin explains vague details about the trip and mentions “perhaps all of us may never return” (Tolkien 17). Bilbo is deeply affected by the previous statement as he has never thought about going on an adventure and never returning to his home. Bilbo is awoken by the fact that there are perils in the world that could prevent him from returning home. He reacts by shrieking and falling flat on the floor (Tolkien 17). After hearing Thorin’s comment, he contemplates refusing to go on the journey. Eventually, Bilbo chooses to accept, although he is a bit wary. Continuing through the stages, Bilbo meets with his mentor. He and his mentor Gandalf have met previously, but on different terms. Now Bilbo is meeting Gandalf, the wizard, in comparison to Gandalf, the neighbor. The hero’s mentor is there to “provide the hero with something (physical or mental) which will help the hero move forward in his adventure”

(Krucli). Gandalf encourages Bilbo (Huffstutler) and helps to boost his self confidence. While in Bilbo’s home, he continuously states “I have chosen Mr. Baggins” (Tolkien 19). The statement makes Bilbo feel important and crucial to the journey ahead, since a great wizard such as Gandalf, chose him. Furthermore, Gandalf takes the role of Bilbo’s mentor, since he initiated the idea of going on an adventure. In most cases, “heroes are almost always started on their journey by a character who has mastered the laws of the outside world and come back to bestow this wisdom upon them” (Hamby). Gandalf has traveled to many locations and is characterized as a wise figure. He wishes to bestow the wisdom he has acquired upon Bilbo, and help him develop into a hero.