Socratic Seminar On The Hobbit

The only thing a reader needs to know about how Bilbo Baggins, the protagonist of The Hobbit feels about adventures, is that “We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures”, which is much the same as any other hobbit (4). First of all, it should be known what hobbits are and how Bilbo acted like a stereotypical hobbit in the beginning. Hobbits are humanoid creature who shorter than humans, but have a longer life span than a human. They typically like a rather quiet and peaceful life along with smoking and blowing smoke rings. This was why the wizard, Gandalf is generally disliked for “so many quiet lads and lasses going off into the Blue for mad adventures” (5-6). Second of all, it should be noted that Bilbo is in fact not some flat chapter, but has been raised to

At the beginning of the adventure, Bilbo was a timid, little hobbit with no idea how to steal or survive outside of his little hobbit hole. When Thorin and the rest of the dwarves first meet Bilbo, they question

When Bilbo feels pity for Gollum, and decides not to kill him, he takes risks, as leaping over Gollum may fail, causing Bilbo to fall prey to Gollum. In this situation, Bilbo pushes himself to spare Gollum and make daring decisions, where Bilbo is not aware of the consequences. Therefore Bilbo signifies risk-taking when sparing Gollum, despite the unpredictable consequences that result from his decisions. Lastly, Bilbo demonstrates pushing himself to take risks, despite the danger, is during when Bilbo is chosen to survey inside the Lonely Mountain, Smaug's citadel (pg. 198-201). Bilbo understands that he must uphold his position as a burglar, and be the first to enter the Lonely Mountain, where Smaug inhabits. When Bilbo enters Smaug’s lair, is a primary example of Bilbo’s risk-taking, despite the prominent danger. Bilbo exploring Smaug's stronghold is the climax of danger during The Hobbit. During this situation, Bilbo pushes himself greatly, to explore inside the Lonely Mountain, in order to manifest his capability as a burglar, Bilbo surpasses his ability to take risks and discovers the extent of his risk-taking abilities. He ultimately finds greater courage within himself, as a result of pushing himself to take risks. Bilbo knows of Smaug, who represents the great danger within the mountains. He takes this opportunity to exceed his risk-taking skills. Therefore Bilbo takes risks by upholding his burglar responsibilities, despite facing the

When you think of a hero, is the first character to pop in your head a little hobbit named Bilbo Baggins? In most cases, people think of Superman or Hercules, but in The Hobbit, an unexpected hero emerges and changes the name for all heroes to come. The Hobbit is a novel about Bilbo Baggins and his journey, with thirteen dwarves and a wizard, seeking the treasure stolen by the dragon, Smaug. While on this unexpected journey, Bilbo and his companions overcome many obstacles to eventually get to the treasure and retrieve it. Throughout the story, Bilbo develops into a courageous man, who indeed, is a hero. Richard Tyre wrote an article, “You Can’t Teach Tolkien,” and he explains his theory in which he connects multiple story’s plot with six elements. The Hobbit, is assuredly a prime example of Tyre’s theory because it follows all six steps throughout the story simultaneously. The six elements are; “(1) those who hunt for treasure, (2) must go alone, (3) at night, (4) and when they find it, (5) they must leave some of their blood behind, (6) and the treasure is never what they expected” (Tyre 19). These elements are steps in which a character must take to emerge into a hero in the end. Bilbo Baggins is the hero in The Hobbit, but he doesn’t start off as the hero. He has always had heroic traits but throughout the novel, he pursues those six steps and in the resolution, he is transformed into an actual hero.

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

When he starts he off, he is just a normal person who lives a normal life until he is asked to go on an adventure at first he is frightened but then decides to go. Right after he sets off on his journey after a few nights he stays at an inn and thinks about how the last few days were “Bilbo would gladly have stopped there forever and ever – even supposing a wish would have taken him right back to his hobbit-hole without trouble” (Tolkien 48). In this excerpt he wishes he could go home after having a bad trip but when he realizes that the dwarves have no home to go back to so he continues on knowing it wouldn't be right to leave them. Even though he could be sitting comfortably at home, he would rather help a stranger reclaim their home.

Going forward, in this essay, topics such as heroism and transformity will be strongly analyzed through quotes directly from the book The Hobbit and opinions formed while reading. Through the book The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien is able to show how a hero isn’t always the typical buff and boots with a cape on his back kind of person. Tolkien shows the reader that a hero is made by the struggles he conquers and isn’t just a perfect character thrown into the beginning of the story.

Bilbo used to be one of the least adventurous hobbits out there. But he does things he never thought he would do, like accept the job as a burglar, and fulfills his duties as one. So in the sense, he gained an adventurous side of him he thought he never had. We see his adventurous side when he saves his friends from the prison of the wood elves. He could’ve just left them or begged the wood elf to free them, but he decided to wait for his one chance and escape with his friends. He stole the keys from one of the elves, set them free, put them into barrels and sent them all down the river. Now tell me what he did was not out of the ordinary or the least bit of adventurous. We also see his speech starting to change into an adventurer’s when he says, “I tell you the gold was only an afterthought with us. We came over hill and under hill for revenge.” First of all, he said this to the almighty Smaug, who could burn him to smithereens if he chose to. So he gained confidence as well, which came with the adventure side of him.

Do you ever wonder what kind of person you are? Are you adventurous, perseptive, athletic? Have these traits ever affected your decision making? Because in “The Hobbit” By J.R.R. Tolkien, The protagonist Bilbo Baggins feels conflicted whether he should act like his more daring ancestors, the Tooks by embarking on a perilous journey to retake a kingdom. Or to be like his more respectable ancestors, the Bagginses and stay in the comfort of his warm home. As you can see, the traits he has acquired from his forebears are altering the way he sees the situation. Much like Bilbo, I believe that we all have similar sides to our personalities, whether the conflict is to be brave or timid, or smart rather than foolishly. And it is up to us to correctly

In the book The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien he makes sure you know that the theme is about how crucial it is for people to step outside of their comfort zone and be brave because it may be a fun adventure and people might just make new friends. Otherwise they will have a mundane life. On page 22, Gandalf and the dwarfs are trying to convince Bilbo that he should go on the adventure with them "'I should like to know about risks, out-of-pocket expenses, time required and remuneration, and so forth' by which he meant 'What am I going to get out of it? and am I going to come back alive?'" This shows how Bilbo is working up the courage to go on the adventure and this is the moment that he starts to be brave. In the book The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien on page 198, Tolkien wrote, "He gazed for what seemed like an age, before being drawn almost against his will, he stole from the shadow of the doorway, across the floor to the nearest edge of the mounds of treasure.

In chapter five of The Hobbit, Bilbo is faced with a dreadful surprise: Gollum! When Gollum begins to become angry at Bilbo, Bilbo ran back into the darkness of the tunnels and escaped Gollum. Even after Bilbo bravely jumps over Gollum to flee the tunnels, he still has to get past the Goblins. A few lost buttons later, Bilbo is free. This is the first sign of Bilbo’s newfound adventurous spirit. Bilbo, like any other hobbit would, could have cried and begged for mercy. Bilbo did not do this, he knew that he needed to get away, and he

The book starts with Bilbo being offered a chance to go on an adventure, but Bilbo doesn’t want to go because he thinks it is too dangerous. “What am I going to get out of it? Am I going to come back alive?” This quote shows that Bilbo dislikes the idea of going on an adventure and doesn’t see the point in going. At this point of the book, he is a timid, unconfident character who is doesn’t like taking risks, and isn’t so selfless.

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit living in the Shire having a peaceful quiet life in his hobbit hole. One day after living a life of leisure and pleasure he is awakened by a rude knock on his door. In a matter of a few hours he will meet the people that changed his life for good. The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien is a story about a hobbit and his adventure. His adventure starts with a knock on his door by his old Friend Gandalf. Gandalf then promptly asks Bilbo”I am looking for someone to share in an adventure”(tolkien). Bilbo then denies Gandalf and continuous with his usual day until that night. When Bilbo is about to eat his dinner he gets a knock. He opens it to find two dwarves Dwalin and Balin. Bilbo 's shocked but invites them in. Bilbo does this eval times until he 's left with thirteen dwarves Dwalin, Balin, Kili, Fili, Dori, Ori, Nori, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, and Thorin Oakenshield. They then invite him on a quest that would change his life. During his quest he faces many evils and overcomes them all to become a hero.

They describe hobbits as homely, addicted to consistency and with a great distaste for change. These small beings live in luxury, their pantries full to the brim with food and their smoking pipes finding no shortage of use. Hobbits are so uninterested in adventure that they seem to replace all hobbies with extra meals. Bilbo is hardly an exception to this norm. He expresses a deep mistrust of adventurous situations during his first conversation with Gandalf, and admits that he will not find any candidates for his expedition while in Bag End. “We are plain and quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can’t think what anybody sees in them,” (Tolkien 18). A very clear message, indeed, but what most don’t see is how this attitude is intended to emulate real people. Nobody would like to admit it, but many have grown comfy and complacent in their lives. They take on the position of Bilbo, and every other Hobbit of Bag End. Afraid of danger or change, there is no need to move or attempt new and dangerous activities. Don’t bother with adventure, just have a seat and eat some cakes, it’s time for second breakfast! This cowardly nature is twice presented in the citizens of Lake-Town, of whom are so terrified by the dragon Smaug that they refuse to do anything about the monster. The residents believe the beast is

The protagonist of the book is Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo the main character in the book, is a hobbit. He was scared to leave his home town of Bagan. Bilbo was invited by dwarves to go on an adventure to find treasure that belonged to the them. Little was known about what could happen on this trip, but still Bilbo was drawn to this adventure with much excitement. It was when he did not have food to eat that he would question why he left his hobbit hole.