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Critical decision making
Critical decision making
Making wise choices
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As stories progress, heroes tend to acquire skills that they never thought they would have. Arjun from Funny Boy and Bilbo from The Hobbit both acquire fairly similar skills as their stories progress, but there are some differences. Both Arjun and Bilbo learn how to think clearly in tricky situations. Bilbo and Arjun are also very good at making themselves less noticeable. Bilbo learns how to fight and handle himself while Arjun does not, however.
Arjun and Bilbo both acquire the skill of staying level-headed when times are tough. They were both faced with situations in which they needed to think clearly and make decisions. Bilbo and Arjun may have always had this skill, but it became more relevant because of the circumstances that they were put in. They both prove that they have this skill multiple times in the books. On page 190 of The Hobbit, Bilbo was able to formulate a plan, while simultaneously fending off hordes of dreadful spiders. Arjun shows that he has this skill on page 149 of Funny Boy, where he could tell that the situation has escalated and be...
He went from being a reluctant hero to an epic hero just from a few slight changes. Bilbo was almost forced out the door to begin his journey with the dwarves by Gandalf. He did not want to go on the journey and certainly did not feel the need to be a hero, although he reluctantly ended up being one in the book. In the movie, on the other hand, he had many opportunities to become the hero and he took these opportunities, becoming an epic hero. While change can greatly impact some things, it can also take away from important pieces of the
Bilbo Baggins lived a very simple life, a life he enjoyed very much, until the day when the wizard Gandalf arrived at his door one morning. Gandalf was searching for someone to share an adventure with, but Bilbo quickly declined, saying, “We don’t want any adventures here. You might try over The Hill or across The Water,” and with that the hobbit dismissed the wandering wizard, but not before he had given the wizard an invitation for tea the next day. This of coarse, was the polite thing to do. But Gandalf saw something more in Bilbo and would not be discouraged.
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.
Every hero goes through certain stages in their valorous journey. Some stages are more important in a hero’s journey compared to others. In The Hobbit, the most important stage of the hero’s journey is stage 6, tests/challenges. This is because the hero, Bilbo (a friendly hobbit), learns how to make decisions based on his mistakes and work individually, he learns new tactics and strategies and he earns possessions and answers after accomplishing them. Bilbo learns to make his own decisions when he sees trolls ahead in their way and he must decide whether to warn the dwarves or steal from the trolls. We see Bilbo learn new tactics and strategies when he must win a riddle-contest against Gollum. Bilbo earns an answer when he plans and outsmarts
Perseverance is a skill that takes a long time to develop. In J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, Bilbo is the one who gains this skill over the course of the book. He undergoes many struggles along the way, including giant spiders, and armored dragons. These test his loyalty to his group, as well as to the cause. The cause being to take back the mountain stronghold that the dwarves lost long ago. Seeing their journey, one theme is evident. Bilbo Baggins' motivation to continue to the stronghold in the mountains changed from annoyed to driven over the course of his travels.
In the novel The Hobbit, growth is the key theme that is emphasized in the first half of the book. The growth of a little hobbit Bilbo Baggins, from a weak and travel maker hobbit into a strong and responsible hobbit. At the beginning of the novel in the Lone-Lands, readers witness how weak he was. In the middle of chapter two, because of the trolls, he was scolded, “silly time to go practicing when what we wanted was fire and food”(50) by the dwarf Bombur. Although he was trying for the goods of the group, he`s action and insufficient skills almost kill the entire group. This event shows how weak is Bilbo and how was he making travels in the beginning. Furthermore in the beginning of chapter six, Bilbo demonstrates that he survived around
“I wish I could be a hero!” Many adults in today’s society hear small children wishing they could become heroes. Children wish to be more like heroes for the reason that heroes are the type of people who risk their lives to help others. Throughout history, children have had a positive connotation with the word “hero.” The heroes many small children talk about are the fictional ones who protect cities from villains: Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and others. However, these are not the only types of heroes in today’s world. Firefighters and policemen are also considered heroes because they save the lives of those in danger. Many adults consider their inspirations to be heroes, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Michelle Obama. Heroes do not always have to be real; for instance, they can also be literary characters such as Atticus Finch, Jonas, and Odysseus. Heroes, fictional or not, only have one purpose, to help people in need. These motivating people are in the rare category of people who willingly spend their whole lives helping people achieve their dreams. Heroes are the people who unselfishly help people live their lives in a peaceful manner. Many children wish they could become heroes, such as Bilbo Baggins. In The Hobbit, J.R.R Tolkien explores how Bilbo Baggins matures and ultimately becomes a hero.
In conclusion, it is through Bilbo’s intelligence and courage, and the loyalty he showed to the others around him that establish him as an indubitable hero. Bilbo was able to heroically lead the dwarves and without his contribution in the adventure, it would not have been possible for them to achieve what they did. Bilbo is a small person with a big heart, who was able to make a difference without fighting or using his power to change anything through force. He was able to demonstrate his compassion, innocence, and ethics in his development into a hero. Nevertheless, his heroic deeds did not change whom he is as a person, which contrasts greatly with how a hero is defined today. Overall, Bilbo was a hobbit with courage that contributed into shaping his world into one where honesty, peace, forgiveness, and merry meals make it a better place.
...th heroes take are dangerous and difficult. Bilbo makes many mistakes but in the end he does mature and grow as a person. The hero is willing to put everything above themselves. Comparing Bilbo with Beowulf, it is clear that while Beowulf is an archetypal hero from a hero themed story, Bilbo is arguably more of a hero than him in some ways. Bilbo shows himself to not just a hero in skills and prowess but a hero in character, which Beowulf does not seem to show. Thorin even comments “Now is the time for our esteemed Mr. Baggins, who has proved himself a good companion on our long road, and a hobbit full of courage and resource far exceeding his size…” (198). However both heroes have acts of self-sacrifice and courage, while Beowulf uses his physical strength to achieve his heroics, Bilbo’s sense of honour, moral and courage proves himself equal to Beowulf in heroics.
Finally, as the novel is coming to an end, it is apparent how much Bilbo Baggins has changed throughout The Hobbit. In the introduction of the book, Tolkien displays Bilbo as a fearful creature afraid to follow his Took roots. As the book continues, Bilbo sees things that change him and make him a stronger hobbit than the old Bilbo. By the end of the book, Mr. Baggins finally gained his well earned respect and found out that being an adventurer is not an awful thing to be. So, it seems as if the theme of change in The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien was shown through Bilbo’s character.
Bilbo’s wisdom helps him defeat Gollum; however one of Gollum’s negative characteristics also assists him in defeating Gollum. Evidence that one of Gollum's’ negative characteristics caused him to fail is when he gets out of the boat to eat Bilbo before he guessed the answer (Tolkien page 73). If Gollum waited longer he would have been able to eat Bilbo, but because he was impatient, Bilbo was able to solve the riddle. Although Bilbo’s wisdom helps him defeat Gollum, a negative trait of Gollum aids Bilbo in his victory.
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
...y a little fellow, Gandalf hints that even he was impressed by the large role Bilbo played in their journey, adding irony to the theme of heroism. Bilbo was the perfect character for Tolkien to express the theme of heroism because he was just the average, everyday character with a kind heart. He wasn’t some wizard or renowned warrior, but a hobbit, a simple hobbit who didn’t ask for heroism. Bilbo would much rather stay in the quite of his own home, but fate would have him do much more, even though Bilbo wouldn’t say so himself, he was indeed…a hero.
At the beginning of the novel, Mr. Baggins starts out at his comfy little hobbit home, but suddenly a grand, wise wizard shows up. Not long after, 12 dwarves began to appear, one by one at Bilbo’s door, and they have come to carry him off on a life-changing adventure, full of greed. That was the beginning of our hairy hobbit’s transformation from a shy, quiet hobbit, to a strong and bold life-saving hero, who enchants any who come in contact with him. For example of his strength and boldness, would be in chapter 5, when Bilbo rhymes riddles for an unknown creature, who calls itself Gollum. Bilbo would’ve been eaten if he were to have lost, but took his chances, and risked it anyway. After all, it did get him out of that goblin-infested cave.
He remains good hearted throughout the story. At the beginning of the novel Bilbo is neither an adventurous nor brave hobbit. He prefers to stay in his hobbit hole and keep to himself, he is scared of the outside world. When Gandalf comes and says “he is looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it 's very difficult to find anyone.” he immediately shoots the offer down saying “I should think so — in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things!”(9). Gandalf though saw Bilbo and knew that there was something special inside of him. So, he pushed him out the door where Bilbo would be able to grow. Although Bilbo refuses at first he builds up the courage. Thorin Oakenshield saw Bilbo as small and worthless. Bilbo, at the time, agreed with him. Eventually Bilbo saved his life and Thorin became family to him. Throughout Bilbo 's adventure he goes from being unheroic to courageous and heroic. One example is when he fight off the Great Spider to save the dwarves with the sword he names sting and says that he feels more confident and fierce, from there on he progresses to become stronger and at the end Gandalf says to Bilbo,"Something is the matter with you! You are not the hobbit that you were."(203). From that you can tell that Gandalf has seen the changes, most of the changes come from the ways he saves