John Yazji
Mrs. Canning
C-mod English IV
21 August 2015
Summer Reading
The Hobbit, by J.R.R Tolkien, is about a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins who lives in a quiet, peaceful life in a hole. One day a wizard, Gandalf, thinks Bilbo should go out on an adventure with thirteen militant dwarves lead by Thorin. The dwarves are trying to reclaim their treasure from the marauding dragon Smaug on Lonely Mountain, and they need Bilbo is to act as their burglar. Bilbo goes on the journey and faces many dangerous and frightening objects like orcs and goblins. When separated from the group, Bilbo found a golden ring and put it in his pocket. He uses this ring to escape and get away from the Gollum. Then, they reach the Lonely Mountain where they have to face
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The characters in both books show courage of risking their lives going on the expedition. In Tolkien’s The Hobbit, Bilbo was scared to leave the comfort of his home to go on his journey. In Lansing Endurance, the crewmembers were scared of dying on the ship and never to see their families again. One example of courage and risk of death from The Hobbit is when Bilbo goes in the dragon cave alone. “It was at this point that Bilbo stopped. Going on from there was the bravest thing he ever did. The tremendous things that happened afterwards were as nothing compared to it. (Tolkien 233)” Bilbo is very afraid because he does not want to wake up the dragon. He works up the courage to steal a cup and show his friends. When the dragon wakes up, he sees the cup is gone and starts to blow flames. Bilbo then courageously talks to the dragon in riddles to calm his anger just enough for him to escape. Also, Bilbo found a weak spot on the dragon’s chest, which is later how the dragon is killed. Similarly, an example of courage in Endurance is when the men barley get enough time to relax. "The men slept until eight that night, and they were on the trail an hour later" (Lansing 95). This quote shows how the sailors did not have enough time to sleep and rest their bodies because everyone’s life was in jeopardy. If they slept for two long they could get very sick or they could freeze …show more content…
The characters had to learn to trust each other and be loyal to one another. When someone turns their back on the group, it could lead to many fights and controversy. In result, it could cripple the group and lead to deaths. The characters in the Endurance will never forget the experience they went through and how they worked together to survive. The Hobbit showed us how you must put your differences aside and come together as one to defeat the enemy. In a long and dangerous journey, everybody must come together and put their differences aside to survive. Without working as a team, it could lead to many horrible and devastating
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.
His bravery grows over the course of the book, but even in the beginning his courage is evident. He had just been told he is going on a freighting adventure, “a journey from which some of [them], or perhaps all of [them]...may never return” (17) and yet he still is able to say “[t]ell me what you want done, and I will try it, if I have to walk from here to the East of East and fight the wild Were-worms in the Last Desert” (19). Here is a creature who has “never had any adventures or done anything unexpected” (3), and still agrees to go on a mysterious adventure, to assist people he met only a few hours prior. This either shows immense bravery, or stupidity, and from a “very well-to-do hobbit” (3) such as Bilbo, bravery is the only clear option. Additionally, after embarking on his journey, he faces many challenges that show the courage of a more traditional hero. As they travel through Mirkwood (a fearsome and dark forest), the company finds themselves hostages of spiders that intend to kill Bilbo and his friends. After killing a spider without any help from his friends, he undergoes an emotional change. Through his brave actions, he goes from the hobbit “who never had any adventures or did anything unexpected” (3) to “a different person, and much fiercer and bolder” (144) His bravery ends up changing himself more than any other, and for the better. He grows to have faith in himself, and he might
One of the main themes of the Hobbit is Bravery/ Heroism .The novel begins with Bilbo being content who lives in a hobbit hole. Gandalf invites Bilbo on an adventure and Bilbo reluctantly agrees when he wants to embrace his adventurous “Took” side of his ancestry. Bilbo shows great courage and heroism fighting evil and overcoming challenges. An example would be that “The dwarves looked at Bilbo with quite a new respect ,when he talked about dodging the guards and jumping over Gollum and squeezing through as if it was not difficult or very alarming”. (pg. 93). This quote tells of the dwarves response to Bilbo telling them how he escaped goblins and a horrid creature named Gollum. This instance is significant because it is the first major act
During initiation, Bilbo learns how to live in the new world. Amid the road of trials, the first thing Bilbo learns is that adventure is difficult. Many times throughout his journey, he and the dwarves find themselves starving. It is also difficult due to his relationship with Thorin. He is like a father figure to Bilbo in the sense that he is the leader of the dwarves. But in the end, Bilbo had to turn on Thorin for his own good. Ultimately he died from his wounds from the battle that could have been prevented, although he and Bilbo reconciled before his death; “I wish Thorin were living, but I am glad that we parted in kindness” (Tolkien 290). This type of relationship shows atonement with a father figure in the hero’s journey. It was also difficult in Bilbo’s new world, because Smaug represented a temptress whose reputation was intimidating enough to persuade Bilbo and the dwarves to end their journey before they had even been in his presence. The travelers knew he was undoubtedly daunting and that it would be a difficult task to slay him, for he was very strong and powerful. But that fact did not deter their desire for revenge; “My armour is like tenfold shields, my teeth are swords, my claws are shields, the shock of my tail is a thunderbolt, my wings a hurricane , and my breath death” (Tolkien 226). The next thing Bilbo recognizes in his journey is that he has become a true hero, especially
Bilbo showed bravery throughout the story in many ways. Bilbo was willing to play the riddle game with Gollem, which could be a good or bad thing. He took the Arkenstone and hid it, then later used it to repay for Smaug’s damages to the town. Bilbo was really brave when he was going to Smaug. He even said to himself, “Going on from this is one of the bravest things I’ve ever done.”
This carried a great responsibility, especially to someone as plain as Bilbo. When the time came, however, Bilbo rose to the challenge and saved his friends. When they were attacked by spiders, for example, Bilbo made all of the spiders chase him so that they would leave his friends alone. If it were not for his courage, the dwarves would have perished. Another example of Bilbo’s courage is when they reached the Misty Mountains.
Every author wants their readers to be engrossed in the story whether it be that a character or characters are relatable in some way to the reader, the plot, or the story itself. In order to create the characters or even the plot line the author needs to make it interesting for the reader to read. Authors use multiple stylistic choices throughout their story, and the readers may not even know that they are reading over the choices useless they are purposefully looking for it. In J.R.R Tolkien's book The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins is forced to accompany a group of dwarves: Thorin, Balin, Dwalin, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Fili, Kili, and Gandalf the wizard. They start their quest to take back their homeland from the dragon Smaug. Throughout the story they experience many difficult tasks, such as walking through a forest that is infested with giant spiders, battling goblins that live in the mountains, and Gollum, a malnourished man in desperate need of a therapist. J.R.R. Tolkien utilizes indirect and direct characterization to help the readers understand the characters and help to justify their actions.
The Hobbit is a classic example of a fool’s errand written as a children’s tale. Thirteen dwarves, a hobbit, and a wizard journey across Middle Earth to face a centuries-old dragon that decades earlier obliterated the combined armies of the dwarves. And yet, against all odds, this pack of misfits succeeds in their quest, reclaiming Erebor, killing the dragon, and renewing the line of Durin. The Hobbit is moralistic in nature; it never intends to showcase the literal triumph of the heroes over the dragon, but rather the victory of one set of values over another. The dwarves’ companionship, sacrifice, and heroism defeat the dragon’s antagonistic, materialist, and isolated nature. Many tales throughout the ages echo this classic theme: love
Courage is a great character trait which is built from the ground up through past experiences in a person’s life. Risks are excellent examples of experiences that a person needs in order to become stronger. In the book - Bilbo, the burglar - takes on many tasks where he put himself in danger, even though he is the one with the least practice in these kinds of situations. He always listens to the team, and did what they asked. On all missions Bilbo is given, he always sees things to the end. Though he may say occasionally that, “I wish I was at home in my nice hole by the fire, with the kettle just beginning to sing!”(31), he pulls through for the team with determination. In order to become truly brave, people need to get their priorities straight, and focus on the task at hand.
He is afraid to say no to a powerful wizard and a dozen dwarfs. They journey through forests and across mountains to defeat the mighty dragon Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo gains confidence, and he finds his place among the group. At the end of their journey, Bilbo plays a huge role in winning the war
Bilbo Baggins, a respectable and unadventurous hobbit, is paid a visit by Gandalf, a wizard, who offers him the chance to go on an adventure. Bilbo, in trying to get rid of the wizard, inadvertently invites him to tea the next evening. The next day, Bilbo is flustered to find that in addition to Gandalf, he seems to have invited thirteen dwarves to tea as well. As he serves the dwarves and Gandalf tea and then supper, Bilbo learns that Gandalf has advertised him to the dwarves as a burglar. The dwarves wish him to help them on their quest to the Lonely Mountain, where they hope to recover treasure from Smaug the dragon, who destroyed their ancestral home under the mountain. Though at first Bilbo quakes at the suggestion of meeting a
Baggins. He felt a different person, and much fiercer and bolder in spite of an empty stomach” (Tolkien 141-142). This event has led to Bilbo beginning to believe in himself, which is an important contribution to his overall development into the hero of this tale. Finally, when Bilbo is met with the task of meeting the dragon Smaug, he does not turn back. Even when he must walk alone through the dark, secluded hallway to Smaug’s lair knowing that he could meet his doom at any instant, he walked on. His internal being knows this is his final test of courage, and his will to carry on demonstrates his final development into a hero.
The story starts from the side of Mr. Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo starts as a nervous & annoyed host. He is hobbit, & his folk are reserved, but kind & carefree. Hobbits love to accommodate company when the time arrives, but this night Bilbo was in a ruck. Spontaneously, 13 dwarves & Gandalf tediously trickled through the door in groups & demanded dinner. Bilbo was not expecting these unknown & unplanned visitors, especially the grand total of 14! They ate & sang all night, while little time was devoted to business, which was planned that night. Bilbo was exhausted, unpleased, & unaffiliated with the pressing event they gathered to discuss. He was only aware that Gandalf selected him to be the Burglar of the party, which just so happened to be a vast journey across Middle-Earth. Unbeknownst to anyone, this was the start of a haunting tale, which Bilbo would never overlook. The first prominent issue Bilbo had to resolve the trolls. The group utilized this to test Bilbo’s strength, courage, brains, & stealth. Throughout the story, Bilbo continues to earn his spot among the dwarves, while the party is continually slammed with additional problems, however, everyday & every challenge reveals more of the nature of the dwarves & of Bilbo. With his role concluded & the Battle of Five Armies won, the yearning for home was too much to bear. Bilbo decided to travel home & achieve his part in the adventure of a lifetime. Each dwarf had grown quite fond of Bilbo, for the journey wouldn’t have been a success without their Burglar. The travel home was bittersweet & was a wonderful memoir of his quest. Gandalf accompanied him all the way to his Hobbit Hole on the Hill in Bag-End. Can we label Bilbo a hero? If so, what kind of hero is he? Is he a hero in history or in the eyes of the dwarves? Was Bilbo a savior for the descendants to come or the
“It is true that if these Hobbits understood the danger, they would not dare to go. But they would still wish to go, or wish that they dared, and be shamed and unhappy. I think, Elrond, that in this matter it would be well to trust rather to their friendship than to great wisdom.” (Tolkien, J R. R)
Bilbo forgot about the dangers, about his old home, about his rewards, he just wanted to help, and the fearless Bilbo was brought out of him. Courage is a hard thing for a person to acquire, but can be obtained by their achievements and failures.