How Does Gandaulf Use Magic In The Hobbit

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the most successful books of all time (selling over 100 million copies [Shippey]). It is also an excellent example of a fantasy novel due to the presence of magic, supernatural creatures, and adventure (through elements of quest within the novel). Magic is a key element to any fantasy novel, especially prevalent in The Hobbit. Fantasy novels can have a certain majestic feel or characters that use their magical powers in peculiar ways, that are (usually) obviously fake (Saricks 36-39). An example of this in The Hobbit would be Gandalf on page 21. Gandalf is a wizard with an uncanny ability to cast magical spells upon others. In this instance Gandalf uses his magic spells in order for things to work

Certain types of characters can only be brought to life through fantasy novels. These creatures can include monsters, wizards (hobbits), and so on...(McGowan). Gandalf is a wizard with a vast wealth of knowledge, is a major character in The Hobbit, and sure is a supernatural character. He possesses a staff in which he uses often to do magic, and cast spells. An excellent example of this is found on page 71, in which Gandalf uses his supernatural powers to create and cast a spell. " When the goblins came to grab him, there was a terrific flash like lightning in the cave, a smell of gunpowder." This example shows that Gandalf is supernatural because he uses his powers to create a flash of lightning to save Bilbo from the goblins coming to attack him, this feat would be impossible for any ordinary human to do, proving Gandalf is indeed a supernatural character. Another proof that The Hobbit is a fantasy novel because it has supernatural creatures, is the "hobbit" species itself. Characters whose home is underneath the earth, characters who are very odd, yet the very first sentence of the novel reals readers in. "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell... it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort." With this very first sentence, Tolkien creates multiple questions for the