The Hobbit Analysis

Clare Elizabeth Bedford

ENG 2D1

Mr. Dundas

Thursday May 8th, 2014

Challenging and Time-Honoured Themes Found in Fantasy Literature and Specifically

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

“Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory. If a soldier is imprisoned by the enemy, don’t we consider it his duty to escape?. . .If we value the freedom of mind and soul, if we’re partisans of liberty, then it’s our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can!” (Tolkien)

In the novel, The Hobbit, we find many themes and underlying messages from which useful knowledge and principles can be acquired. As the modern canadian fantasy writer once said, “Fantasy has the capacity to be as important and as thought-provoking as any other form of literature we have.” Tolkien’s work provides readers with challenging and time honoured themes such as: use your unique positive traits for the greater good of the group, power should never be abused and it is important to find your true self in life.

One of the most evident messages projected to the reader is to use your positive traits for the greater good of the group. The species of Goblins, Wargs, Elves, Dwarves and Trolls are comprised of fundamental physical, psychological and moral differences as well as similarities. For example, all Goblins are morally evil, and all Elves are morally virtuous. This distinction is manifested with the respected race’s harmony with nature. The morally “good” races are shown as in harmony with nature, whereas the “evil” races are shown in disaccord with their surroundings, ergo the eagles’ decision to help the Elves rather than the Goblins.

The race of Elves are largely inspired by catholic beliefs, representing the Men in Eden who had not yet “fall...

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... As the quest progresses, Bilbo discovers more and more about himself, as do the people around him. “The real life of men is of that mythical and heroic quality…And man as a whole, Man pitted against the universe, have we seen him at all till we see that he is like a hero in a fairy tale?” (C. S. Lewis). That it is important to find one’s self is an ongoing theme portrayed throughout the entirety of the novel, as proven. This theme is a clear example of an exigent as well as ageless message, contributing to the splendor of fantasy writing.

In closing, the genre of fantasy is just as important and as thought provoking as any other form of literature we have due to it’s time honored and challenging underlying messages such as: use your unique positive traits for the greater good of the group, power should never be abused and it is important to find yourself in life.