Examples Of Invisibility In The Hobbit

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According to Stableford (2009), the birth of invisibility is because of the “burdensome obligations of social life that are policed by countless observing eyes, or at least by the possibility of observation.” In another word, the use of invisibility to escape from reality, allows the user to take action while no one notice. Invisibility can be a force of protection, protect oneself from punishments or obligations at the same time it can give the user power. When one is unseen by everyone, he has absolute freedom, extra time and space to do things. When it comes to power, misuses or overuses can cause corruption, there for invisibility can protect and corrupt at the same time. Rowling emphasises the constructive side of invisibility while Tolkien …show more content…

From the artefacts itself, it reflects the different perspective between Rowling and Tolkien on the nature of invisibility. Rowling depicts invisibility by using a cloak, which is a common overcoat that uses to protect the wearer from wind, cold and precipitations. The cloak itself have a sense of protection, …show more content…

We’d better put the cloak on here, and make sure it covers all three of us” (292) Ron said this while they are going through the trapdoor to find the philosopher’s stone. A cloak is a large garment which can cover the wearer’s whole body. As the protagonists are children, the cloak allows them to share the power of invisibility. In The Hobbit, Tolkien portrays invisibility by a ring, “a ring of power, and if you slipped that ring on your finger, you were invisible.” (76) A ring is a personal jewellery, ornaments that people wear to indicate their social status, it magnified the supremacy of the magical power. Alongside with the protection, the downside of invisibility also written in the story. Invisibility is making the wearer unseen by people, but they still exist as solid as ever. When Harry escapes from the restricted section in the library, he has to “hold his breath, try not to move” (222). He also understands that this power is not impeccable as “the Clock didn’t stop keep him being solid” (222). Same nature also can appears in The Hobbit, as “in the full sunlight could you be seen, and then only by your shadow, and that would be shaky

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