How Does Bilbo Symbolize A Christ Figure In The Hobbit

It is so that the other hobbits respected Bilbo less upon arriving back to his hometown within the Shire, because it is unlike hobbits to take risks and

In 1949, Joseph Campbell discussed the hero’s journey, the foundation commonly used in stories throughout history. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, the hero’s journey narrative is used to tell the story of Bilbo Baggins’s adventure. The novel follows Bilbo Baggins and a company of dwarves as they seek to take back the dwarves’ fallen kingdom. As the story progresses, Bilbo’s character develops and the dwarves perception of him develops through the many trials before the death of Smaug the dragon and the final battle between a variety of mythical creatures. In The Hobbit, the dwarves originally doubt Bilbo’s abilities but as Bilbo encounters more obstacles and succeeds, the dwarves perception turns to one of respect and admiration.

The Hobbit is a novel that is actually a prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. In How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Foster explains a vast amount of archetypes. I will be applying the archetypes in the book “How to Read Literature like a Professor” to Bilbo Baggins’ journey.

The Hobbit, written by John R. R. Tolkien, is a fantasy novel published on September 21, 1937. It was written as a prelude to the famous series, The Lord of the Rings, written seventeen years later. The Hobbit introduces the reader to an incredibly immersive fantasy world, that enriches the reader into its epic storyline. The story takes place in a land called Middle-earth, a land filled with enchanting surprises and magical wonders. It was the perfect playground for Tolkien to develop his main character Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo Baggins was a small hobbit, who unaware in the beginning would become a large role in the plot. It is through this character that Tolkien implemented the theme of heroism into the story. Bilbo’s

In the Hobbit there are fourteen main characters as well as many other characters that help along the way. The characters are Gandalf the Wizard, Mr. Bilbo Baggins, Throrin Oakensheild, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Fili, Kili, Bombur, Bifur, Bofur, Dwalin, and Balin. Gandalf is a wizard that helps the dwarves in their various journeys. He knows more than he reveals to the dwarves and everyone else and he knows that the hobbit can help the dwarves in their quest. That hobbit is Mr. Bilbo Baggins.

In the Hero’s Journey, heralds are responsible for introducing the quest to the hero. Not only is Gandalf a mentor, but he is also the herald in The Hobbit. Without Gandalf, the story would almost be non-existent as his archetype’s purpose is to motivate the protagonist to begin the journey. Gandalf’s calling of Bilbo to the journey is introduced during the early stages of the novel (page 15), however, Bilbo does not leave until page 45 where his decision was made on the spot.

He needed to open up to get to know others and have trust in other people instead of following his anger emotion. The whole adventure was to help inspire Thorin to become a better leader for the dwarves. They had more than enough gold, but Thorin wanted to keep all of the gold and does not want to share it with anybody. Gandalf knew Bilbo would help make Thorin realize what is the right thing to do and what is the wrong thing to do, but all of this can be easily change because of wanting more power and wealth. It was a good thing the dwarves and Bilbo went on the adventure together and fought against many villains.

The Hobbit is a book filled with adventure and challenges. This novel is a tale of a quest. For the hobbit this isn’t just an ordinary quest it’s a hero’s quest. This novel offers a variety of archetypes, such as the hero’s quest and communion.

He provides insight and a path for the group throughout the adventure. Gandalf strongly believes in Bilbo Baggins and his abilities. His never-ending guidance can be found on page 121, when the author explains that, “He was discussing plans with the Great Eagle for carrying the dwarves and himself and Bilbo far away and setting them down well on their journey across the plains below,” (The Hobbit, pg. 121). At the beginning of the book, The narrator even describes Gandalf as a counselor, “We shall soon break of day, or perhaps all of us (except our friend and counselor, the ingenious wizard Gandalf) may never return,” (The Hobbit, pg. 20). This quotation proves that Gandalf will help and guide the group on their way to the treasure.

As well, in chapter seven, the the wizard explains, “I always meant to see you all safe (if possible) over the mountains” (The Hobbit, page 125). Hence, this quote proves that Gandalf always looks out for Bilbo Baggins, and gives him insight to help him. One more piece of evidence can be found in chapter seven, when Gandalf exclaims, “Don't be a fool Mr. Baggins if you can help it; and in the name of all wonder don't mention the word furrier again as long as you are within miles of his house, nor rug, cape, tippet, muff, nor any other such unfortunate word!” (The Hobbit, page 127). According to this quote, Gandalf gave advice to Bilbo, and taught him what not to do.

Getting yourself and others out of a sticky situation is a very difficult feat to accomplish, but Bilbo manages to save himself and the dwarves multiple times. If Bilbo had not acted alone for the good of the group, then Thorin and Company would not have had its success in the end. There are many examples in the book when Bilbo saves the entire group from danger. One notable instance is when Bilbo led the dwarves to Smaug’s lair and devised a plan to steal the treasure. Bilbo also managed to lead the group out of danger when Smaug was plotting vengeance on them and Lake-town. If Bilbo had stayed back and let Thorin and the dwarves decide on everything, no doubt they would have failed in the expedition or worse. Also, scattered throughout the

Him being at his home being comfortable and sitting outside and smoking his pipe at the beginning of the story. The here comes Gandalf with his long staff, and Bilbo greets him and say good morning to him. Gandalf says “What do you mean? Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?” Bilbo says all of them and invites Gandalf to sit down with him. Gandalf says that he does not have time to sit he is looking for someone to go on an adventure. Bilbo tells him he won’t find anyone around these parts. People who live in the Hill are quiet folks they aren’t into adventures. The rising action of the Hobbit is when Gandalf appears and asks Bilbo if he would like to go on an adventure. Bilbo of course at first says no and that hobbit’s do not go on adventures. Bilbo invites Gandalf tea and Gandalf accepts and before he leaves he leaves a sign on Bilbo’s front door. The next day Bilbo up and doing the things he would normally do when he hears a knock at his door. He thought it was Gandalf but it was Dwalin. Then two more dwarves Kili and Fili. Five more dwarves show up Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, and Gloin. Then Gandalf arrives with four more dwarves Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, and Thorin. They all start discussing the adventure, the map, and who was going to do what. Bilbo is excited about the adventure but

The Christ figure is used frequently in literary works and films. A Christ figure, also known as a Christ-Image is a literary technique that the author uses to draw allusions between their characters and the biblical Jesus Christ. More loosely, the Christ Figure is a spiritual or prophetic character who parallels Jesus, or other spiritual or prophetic figures. They are usually selfless and are only trying to help people and the world. I chose the character Aslan, from The Chronicles of Narnia to complete this assignment. Aslan was actually indented to literally represent Christ by the author, C.S Lewis. Aslan is a selfless character, and is trying to save Narnia by defeating the White Witch. He and the other children are eventually betrayed

Bilbo was drawn to the ring along with anyone else that was near it, but no one ever knew why. Gandalf had his suspicions about the ring, and when he confirmed his suspicions he needed to stop it, but he couldn’t do it himself. He needed the help of the young hobbit, Frodo. He had Frodo take the ring to Rivendell to learn more about the ring. When he arrived to Rivendell he met with a counsel of elves who explained the Ring to him. They told him about Sauron, and the creation of the ring. “You will learn that your trouble is but part of the trouble of all the western world. The Ring! What shall we do

It was made clear that the dwarves were not fond of Bilbo when Gandalf had departed the company. This is definitely unanticipated, due to how the dwarves did not want him from the start. The dwarves were taken captive, this is when the derogatory thoughts that had been directed towards Bilbo were changed. During this occasion, Bilbo used his advanced but unnoticed leadership skills to save the dwarves from utmost misery. Bilbo Baggins could have left the dwarves to perish, but he chose not to although he was unwanted and hated. Baggins also rescued the company from utmost squalor when he led the group out of the spiders’ habitat into