In J.R.R. Tolkien 's novel, The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins goes through a classic representation of the Hero’s Journey. Throughout the story, Bilbo transitions from being a complacent, sheltered hobbit, to a more adventurous hobbit. The Hobbit has all three parts of the hero’s journey; The Departure, Initiation and The Return, all of which is interpreted throughout the quest.
During The Departure period in The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins lives a respected life with no adventures or anything unexpected like a hobbit should. Gandalf asks Bilbo to join the dwarves on their quest, “‘I am looking for someone to share in an adventure I am arranging’” (Tolkien 4). This serves as the call to adventure, the first part in the departure. The following part of the
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After the dwarves have gone to sleep, Bilbo begins to have second thoughts about going on the adventure, “The Tookishness was wearing off, and he was not now quite sure that he was going on any journey in the morning” (Tolkien 27). Bilbo does not know if he wants to go on this adventure that Gandalf is planning, but changes his mind during the Acceptance of the Call. The next morning, Gandalf shows Bilbo the note under his clock, and Bilbo leaves to meet up with the dwarves to go on the adventure, “To the end of his days Bilbo could never remember how he found himself outside, without a hat, a walking-stick or any money” (Tolkien 30). This leads right to the third part of The Departure; Supernatural Aid. Gandalf the wizard, is Bilbo’s Supernatural Aid, he mentors and assists Bilbo and the dwarves on their quest. “They had not been riding very long, when up came Gandalf very splendid on a white horse. He had brought a lot of pocket-handkerchiefs, and Bilbo’s pipe tobacco” (Tolkien 31). While this does not indicate Gandalf’s supernatural abilities, it does; however, show that Gandalf will be there for, and assist the group in any way …show more content…
The first phase of initiation is the Road of Trials, represented when Gandalf, Bilbo’s supernatural aid, saves Bilbo from a a danger, “Of course it was Gandalf… It burned with a rage that made it gleam if goblins were about; now it was bright as blue flame for delight in the killing of the great lord of the cave” (Tolkien 65). Bilbo realizes when the Goblin attack ends, that adventure can be difficult when Gandalf saves the group from the goblins. The next stage is the Meeting with the Goddess, since Bilbo never actually encounters a mythical goddess in The Hobbit, this ‘goddess’ is represented through the ring, “his hand met what felt like a tiny ring of cold metal lying on the floor of the tunnel. It was a turning point in his career, but he did not know it” (Tolkien 68). In the third phase of Initiation, Woman as Temptress, Someone or something tries to distract the hero from his goal; in The Hobbit, this temptress is represented by the ring; however, it does not affect Bilbo negatively. Bilbo uses the ring to get him and the dwarves out of sticky situations, “The ring felt cold as it slipped on to his groping finger… Gollum passed him by, taking no notice of him, cursing and whispering as he ran” (Tolkien 83). Bilbo uses the ring to get away from Gollum, unaware of its abilities. The fourth phase of Initiation, Atonement with the Father arises during the
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
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.
Gandalf has given Bilbo the chance to join him on a journey to reclaim the dwarves’ homeland. At this point Gandalf explains to the Dwarves how Bilbo is the perfect thief for them. (NEED QUOTES) Bilbo has declined Gandalf’s offer to go on the journey. Gandalf has tried to offer Bilbo to join him on the journey multiple times but he still refused to go. As Gandalf goes off without him Bilbo suddenly decides to run after he dwarves to join them on their journey, but at heart Bilbo still does not want contribute in this journey. Bilbo has declined Gandalf’s offer to go on the journey. Gandalf has tried to offer Bilbo to join him on the journey multiple times...
Throughout your life, you will be taken out of your comfort zone with many challenges and uncertainties. This is shown in The Hobbit, The Lightning Thief, and through my grandfather’s immigration story from Germany. Bilbo was taken on an adventure that took him beyond his normal comfort zone. He loved the familiarity of his hobbit-hole until Gandalf and the dwarves arrived at his door. The Hobbit contained many relatable moments about life, which can be explored through the novel, other people’s lives, and other works of fiction.
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
“I like six eggs with my ham, when starting on a journey.”(Tolkien, J. R. R.) remarked Thorin, a dwarf, and one of Bilbo’s companions. Bilbo, called upon by a tall old wizard named Gandalf, is a hobbit, and the protagonist in The Hobbit. He sets out with a band of dwarves to kill the infamous Smaug, a dragon, and reclaim ownership of Erebor, the lonely mountain. Beginning hesitant and shy, he feels uncomfortable with the notion of leaving the Shire, his homeland. Though he eventually agrees to accompany the dwarves on their journey, his timid personality remains, and overcoming it becomes one of his major challenges throughout the journey. Bilbo’s journey in The Hobbit follows almost if not all of the stages in the hero's journey archetype, and he discovers his inner courage and love for adventure.
Tolkien to be very good. He develops the story gradually, building up to the climax, and changing the main characters attitude. In the beginning Bilbo, the main character, starts as a very timid hobbit who knows nothing beyond his home, and is overwhelmed by the appearance of the twelve dwarves sudden appearance to his house. Although he grudgingly agrees to join them in their quest, he is very unhappy, and conveys it through this quote: “I wish I was home by the fire, with the kettle just beginning to sing!” This shows how unhappy Bilbo was at the beginning of the story. Over the course of the story, J.R.R. Tolkien develops Bilbo into a brave character who had proved himself through his many acts of bravery. In conclusion, the author did an excellent job developing Bilbo as a
Bilbo Baggins changes a lot in the novel The Hobbit. In the beginning he is a small peaceful Hobbit who lives in Hobbiton. He loves to keep things in order, and hates things that are disorganized. “Please be careful,” and “Please don’t trouble. I can manage” (Tolkein, 12). Then one day a wizard by the name of Gandalf comes and gives Bilbo the opportunity to go on an adventure. Bilbo turns his offer down, but the next day thirteen dwarves come to his house. They have meals together and they sleep at Bilbo’s house. Gandalf then convinces him to go on an adventure with them. Bilbo is many things, in the very begging he is flat, static, main, and he is the protagonist. By the end of the story he is round, dynamic, main, and he is still the protagonist. By the end of the story, Bilbo is a changed Hobbit.
The first step of Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey” is the departure. Bilbo is first called to an adventure that sends him in a new direction. (Warren) Bilbo is sitting in his peaceful home, in the Shire, one day when Gandalf the Grey shows up with a pack of Dwarves to ask Bilbo to be the burglar on their mission to get their kingdom, Erebor, back from a dragon that resides there. Bilbo learns the history of these dwarves and how their kingdom was lost as the Dwarves eat his food and clutter up his home. Bilbo feels bad for the Dwarves, but he is scared to go on a quest from which he may not return therefore, Bilbo refuses th...
He constantly refers to how all he wants or misses is the comfort and safety of his hobbit hole. When Bilbo first meets Gandalf, he freaks out because he has heard of Gandalf’s adventures, “Sorry! I don’t want any adventures, thank you. Not today. Good morning! But please come to tea – any time you like! Why not tomorrow? Come tomorrow! Good bye!’” (Tolkien 7). This outburst displays Bilbo’s fear of adventure perfectly by making him ‘physically scared’ with just the thought of leaving his home. Throughout the rest of the novel Bilbo slowly gets used to being away from home, but he constantly complains and whimpers about how he wishes he was home. The dwarves thought little of him from the start, due to his reluctance to go along on the trip and his annoying complaints, but Bilbo’s conflict with this fear is over soon enough. Once again, Dr. Dominick Grace, from his article The Hobbit, explains, “By the end, he becomes the true leader of the quest and the figure whose values and actions are valorized by the text” (Grace 1). To clarify, even though it was a big influence on the way he lived and what he did, Bilbo’s internal conflict with adventure was short lived and held back his true heroic
Bilbo was a hobbit that didn’t do very much, but when Gandalf comes to ask him to go on an adventure he didn’t know if he wanted to go. When bilbo says that he’ll do it he seems to be a little shaky at first, but as the book keeps going bilbo gets braver, and saves the dwarves from danger on the way to the Lonely Mountain. Like when the dwarves ask him to go and get the treasure from the dragon. Such as the quote ” Now is the time for our esteemed Mr. Baggins(Bilbo), who has proved himself a good companion
At the beginning of The Hobbit, Bilbo was sensible and when it came to his actions he was cautious, as well as being wise in thought. “We are plain quiet folk, and I have no use for adventures” (4). This was Bilbo's response when Gandalf mentioned going on the adventure with him. The idea of going outside of the Shire scared him. Gandalf basically
In the beginning, Bilbo is very abject to go on this adventure. “Don’t be a fool, Bilbo Baggins!” He said to himself, “Thinking of dragons and all that outlandish nonsense...”
Bilbo begins his long journey with the dwarves, who at the time were still skeptical of Bilbo’s abilities. The dwarves didn’t see why they needed such a small incompetent hobbit with them along their journey. Gandalf tells them to stop complaining and to trust that there is more to Bilbo than meets the eye (Tolkien 6). Bilbo soon shows his courage and heroism for the first time in the story when they run into their first obstacle, three large trolls huddled around a campfire. Bilbo, who was once a shy, non-adventurous type, begins to develop into a hero as he tries to steal one of the trolls’ money purses. This is a dramatic scene in the novel because it was Bilbo’s very first act outside his comfort zone. It was this...
The Hobbit begins with introducing our hero, Bilbo Baggins, who is a respectable hobbit that lives in the Shire. His ordinary life is a middle-aged hobbit that does not go on adventures, even though he longs to do something exciting like his deceased mother. His call to adventure starts with Gandalf the Gray, a wizard, who was also a friend of his mother. Gandalf shows up to try and convince Bilbo that he is needed for an adventure, though he does not go into detail about what the adventure would entail. Gandalf leaves after Bilbo refuses the call to adventure and wishes him a good day. He is later surprised by a company of dwarves that show up during dinner time, this moment is in which I believe to be a second call to adventure for Bilbo. They explain to Bilbo about their journey and how it is meant to help take back their mountain from Smaug the dragon. This conversation really begins to ignite Bilbo’s desire to leave the Shire and travel with them, though he again refuses the call to adventure that night. The morning after dinner he suddenly decides to accept the call and races out his door to meet up with the dwarves. He then spends the rest of the movie working through the rest of the hero’s