Bilbo and Frodo
J. R. R Tolkien is most known for his published works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. While The Hobbit was perceived by many as a children’s book, the storyline proved entertaining to adults as well, prompting readers to encourage Tolkien to take his “elvish” story to the next level. This is how The Lord of the Rings eventually surfaced. Tolkien’s second story is closely comparable to his first one regarding characters and events taking place. While there are a few things in each story that set them apart from one another , they are so much closer to the being the same that in the end two very similar characters, Bilbo and Frodo are joined together.
The Hobbit began simply by Tolkien grading an exam paper, which he found to be boring, and writing the word “hobbit” on the paper. The story’s main character, Bilbo Baggins, was chosen by a wizard named Gandalf to be what he called a burglar. Bilbo comes from a background of two personalities, his paternal traits more laid-back and reluctant and his maternal traits more outgoing and adventurous. At first thought, Bilbo refuses the calling Gandalf has placed on him but later becomes curious and his braver maternal traits begin to kick in as he accepts Gandalf’s challenge. They [hobbits] are certainly capable of extraordinary bravery and humaneness; living in burrows, their creator declares, doesn't amount to anything like an animal kink (Norman). Tolkien easily illustrates why Bilbo was chosen by Gandalf to complete the task of retrieving the treasured item as well as connecting the character to the story’s title. Bravery is the root of what Tolkien aims at the mind of the reader to pursue by using Bilbo’s strange adventurous self. Contrary to popular belief, t...
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...im, such as the “Elvish” lifestyle. Though Bilbo and Frodo have missions that are slightly different, their personalities are one in the same, having come from the same background. From children’s book to fun reads for a more general audience, J. R. R Tolkien has captured the minds and hearts of many through the use of two characters joined as one.
Works Cited
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Norman, Philip. "The Prevalence of Hobbits." New York Times. N.p., 15 Jan. 1967. Web. 09 Mar. 2014.
Shippey, Tom. J. R. R Tolkien: Author of the Century. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 2000
Tolkien, John Ronald Reuel. The Lord of the Rings. London: Unwin, 1974.
Tolkien, J. R. R. The Fellowship of the Rings. London: HarperCollins, 1966.
Tolkien, J. R. R. The Hobbit, Or, There and Back Again. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1966.
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 imagery is usually either dark or light, depending on Bilbo's mood and contrast of his surroundings. J.R.R Tolkien uses dark and light imagery in The Hobbit to effectively set an eerie and mysterious mood and to foreshadow events such as Bilbo's journey in Mirkwood and his adventure in the Mountain.
Within J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, Tolkien uses the character of Bilbo Baggins to reveal to the reader the constant struggle between heroic and anti-heroic qualities within Bilbo and ourselves.
Bilbo is happy to visit the elves and have tea with Gandalf, but he is also just as happy to relax in his hobbit-hole and enjoy the comforts of home that he longed for so much on his journey. Bilbo Baggins undergoes a hero’s journey in The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien. He departs from his home, is initiated into a more mature mindset, undergoes a road of trials, goes through his innermost cave, and is returned home and reintegrated into society. Bilbo’s journey is also a quest for self identity, because he realizes his place as “quite a little fellow in a wide world” and learns to balance out his respectable Baggins heritage with his adventurous Took background (Tolkien 363).
This story begins with a small fellow by the name of Bilbo Baggins. This fantasy story was written in 1956 by J.R.R. Tolkien. It is about a hero’s journey through the dangers and wonders of Middle Earth. Although it was not meant to become such a well-known book, it is filled with much literature. Throughout the book, Tolkien uses literary devices such as repetition, similes, and metaphors to develop the theme of cunning and cleverness.
The paper will begin with a look at the life of Tolkien. This will serve the purpose of providing some context for the novel. Looking into the life of Tolkien will also serve to give the reader some insight into the mind that gave birth to such a rich land and why the novel may have some importance for sufferers of mental illness. Next will likely be a short summation of the
Tolkien, J. R. R., and Douglas A. Anderson. The Lord of the Rings. Boston: Houghton Mifflin,
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, one who enjoys peace and quiet, feasts and fireplaces, and the coziness of his home. At the beginning the The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Bilbo could not even imagine going on a tenacious adventure, but by the end he has survived the longest, toughest battle yet. Throughout the novel Bilbo Baggins changes from a prudent, typical hobbit into a courageous, sacrificing adventurer.
Hobbits, Dwarves, and Elves are three main races that dwell in Middle-Earth. However, there are many differences and similarities between these races. For instance, they look widely different and dress differently. They also differ and relate in cultures and differ in their wealth. In addition, their behaviors are vastly different, but their attitudes are the same. In “The Hobbit” those three races share different and similar characteristics including appearances, cultures, values, behaviors, and attitudes.
... 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.
Bilbo cleverly eluded Smaug’s temptation, spared the life of foul creature Gollum, and demonstrate courage more and more throughout his journey. These exquisite traits made Bilbo into the revered character that was loved and respected for generations of readers. Throughout the book, Bilbo’s character had changed. At first, he was the ordinary hobbit who described adventures as “Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things” (4) but by the end of his journeys stated to Thorin, “I am glad that I have shared in your perils” (290). Bilbo’s ability to fight evil, make new friends, and to look beyond his maps and books enable him to become a hero. As Gandalf once said at the very beginning, “There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself” (19). Gandalf was right. What appeared to be an uneasy hobbit who fainted at the thought of adventures, turned out to be a brave leader, a compassionate friend, and an inspiring
Tolkien, J. R. R. The Hobbit, Or, There and Back Again. New York: Ballantine, 1982. Print
J.R.R Tolkien's action packed, fantasy driven, inspiring novel The Hobbit shows the message that everyone must know, that you should never give up even if all hope seems to be lost. It shows setting of evergreen forests with villages scattered along the paths of which they must take and mountains just on the horizon. The read must go along with bilbo baggins a hobbit that does not realize there is more to him than just being a baggins and that he will live up to his family's name. Even after gandalf tells him that he will embark on a great adventure he still doesn’t believe he is anymore than just bilbo. Therefor this story is inspiring and shows that with the setting, character, and theme combined make this story a great read.
Tolkien, J.R.R. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1954. Print.
Bilbo Baggins is the root of Frodo’s adventures, posing as the Call and initial reason for the adventure. Frodo grew up listening to Bilbo’s stories of the Lonely Mountain and longed to adventure himself. Then, when Bilbo left the Shire for the last time, he inherited “The One Ring” (earlier obtained by Bilbo by an elaborate and exciting adventure). In the story, a powerful wizard, Gandalf the Grey, and old friend of the Baggins informs Frodo of the terrible identity of the Ring.
Throughout The Hobbit by J.R.R tolkien, themes are portrayed and are necessary for the story line. The three main themes in the novel are the prevalence of greed, how Bilbo changes throughout the story and transforms into a hero and the conflict between good and evil. Greed can change anybody, no matter how heroic or brave they are. In the beginning bilbo is portrayed as quiet hobbit that likes to stay home but that all changes with a knock on the door.