The Hobbit Essay, Research Paper

As the book, The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien

begins to conclude, Thorin Oakenshield sees the goodness in Bilbo Baggins

and apprehends the most significant parts of life. Since the beginning,

Thorin?s principle objective is to become the King under the Mountain and

to have all the gold and treasure. While Thorin is on his deathbed he tells

Bilbo, “There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly

West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued

food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

Unlike the dwarfs, Bilbo cherishes friendship and merriment over gold and

wealth. He shows this by placing his life in danger numerous times by escaping

ferocious goblins and killing giant spiders to save Thorin and the other

dwarfs. Bilbo cares more about others than himself, and Thorin notices

how fortunate they are to have such a wise individual as a friend.

Because of the goodness in Bilbo, he declines

the treasure. It is offered to him since a promise was made in the beginning

for him to receive and equal portion of the riches. He refuses the treasure

because he feels that the most precious possession he has is the friendship

with the dwarfs and others that he encounters along the way. Also, Bilbo

enjoys near death experiences and thrills that accompany the quest for

the mountain. Although, from Bilbo?s words, he makes it seem as if the

only reason he does not take the treasure home is that his pony will only

carry two chests. Bilbo also thinks he did enough harm and becomes weary.

He just wants to be back in his hobbit-hole. What use would Bilbo have

for the whole treasure? Bilbo was content without the riches which is why

he declines the treasure.

Thorin changes drastically by the end of

the book. Now, Thorin?s quest is now fulfilled since he returned the mountain

to the dwarfs reign. For many years, a dragon, Smaug, took over the mountain

until when Thorin and his company claim the mountain again. Another part

of his quest was to have the Heart of the Mountain, the Arkenstone. He

accomplished that when it was laid upon his breast by Bard, a friend, and

Bard exclaimed, “There it lay till the Mountain falls!” His death was necessary

for the theme of the book to teach that kindness is superior of treasure.

Finally, Thorin realizes this valuable lesson, but it is too late.

Thorin does not deserve respect or admiration

because he did not realize that friendship and merriment is more meaningful

than riches. Many creatures lost their life from the choices that Thorin

made and the selfishness he had. According to Bilbo?s perspective of Thorin,

Bilbo stated, “He is quite ready to sit on a heap of gold and starve.”

If Thorin would have given everyone their evenhanded portion of the fortune,

the battle possibly could have been stopped, and there would have been

no hard feelings. Instead, he was too avaricious, and that is why Thorin

is not respectable and does not deserve our admiration.

Therefore, in The Hobbit, Thorin?s perspective

on life changes when he sees the goodness and kindheartedness in Bilbo.

Bilbo would risk his life for any friend, but during the adventure all

Thorin wants is the treasure. As Thorin is on his deathbed, he notices

how selfish he has been and wishes he could have transformed it. Meanwhile,

Bilbo sets the perfect example. He shows wisdom, courage, bravery, and

above all, nobility. Bilbo teaches a valuable lesson. His goal is to survive

and be happy, but most of the other characters only desire treasure. In

turn, Bilbo becomes an admirable and a remarkable companion.