The Hobbit By J.R.R. Tolken Essay, Research Paper

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolken

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, one of a race of short, timid creatures who live in

cozy tunnels and who prefer to keep their lives ordered and predictable. One day,

he unexpectedly finds himself playing host to Gandalf the wizard and thirteen

dwarves. The dwarves, with Gandalf’s help, plan to travel to the Lonely Mountain

to recover the treasure that a dragon named Smaug stole from their people long

ago. Gandalf has selected Bilbo to be their burglar. The dwarves are not too

happy with the wizard’s choice, especially when Bilbo faints at the first talk

of danger. But Gandalf insists there is more to the little hobbit than meets the

eye. Bilbo himself is not sure that he is happy about being chosen burglar. But

a part of him does yearn for adventure, and so one spring morning he finds

himself setting out for Lonely Mountain with Gandalf and the thirteen dwarves.

He does not prove very helpful at first. But then something happens that changes

Bilbo’s life. He finds a magic ring that makes him invisible, and has several

opportunities to use it to rescue the dwarves from danger and imprisonment. They

become quite impressed by him, and even rely on him, just as Gandalf foretold.

Bilbo and the dwarves finally reach Lonely Mountain, the home of Smaug the

dragon. The dwarves send Bilbo down a secret passage to the dragon’s lair. Bilbo

has more confidence in himself now and not only steals a cup, but manages to

hold his own in a conversation with the wily Smaug (not an easy thing to

do).Furious that someone has dared steal a piece of his treasure, Smaug attacks

the mountainside where the dwarves have their camp. Then he flies toward Lake-

town, to punish the inhabitants for helping the dwarves. The people of Lake-town

run at the sight of Smaug, but one man, Bard, holds his ground. He kills the

dragon with his last arrow and escapes before Smaug falls, smashing the town.

Believing the dwarves are dead, an army of men, led by Bard, and an army of

elves march toward the Lonely Mountain to divide the treasure. They find to

their surprise that the dwarves are still alive. Bard, because he killed the

dragon, claims his rightful share of the treasure. When the dwarves refuse to

surrender it, the army besieges the mountain. Bilbo tries to end the dispute by

stealing the Arkenstone, the piece of treasure most valued by the leader of the

dwarves. He gives the jewel to Bard, hoping it can be used to force the dwarves

to negotiate. Bilbo’s bravery wins him praise from all but the dwarves, who are

furious with him. When more dwarves arrive from the north, they are determined

to fight. Just as war begins to break out, an army of goblins and wild wolves

attack. The dwarves, elves, and men forget their differences and join together

to keep from being killed. Help comesat the time of greatest need, and the

goblins are defeated. Bilbo finds that he’s a hero, honored by men and elves and

even given a share of the treasure. But he’s had enough of adventure and sets

off for home with Gandalf. Once there, he finds that his house and furnishings

are being auctioned off, since everyone believed him dead. Finally, everything

is straightened out and he is able to settle down again into his old,

comfortable life. Although from then on, he is considered eccentric by his

neighbors, he continues his friendship with elves and dwarves and the wizard,

happily recounting his tales to any who will listen. Themes are quite evident

throughout the story of The Hobbit and some of them were more significant than

others. The question of determinism is only hinted at in the last chapter of The

Hobbit, when Gandalf suggests to Bilbo that his adventures may have been

completed for some higher purpose. In The Hobbit the evils of possessiveness

can be easily seen. The hobbits are corrupted by their desire for treasure, and

their greed almost leads to war with men and elves. The main theme that prevails

in this Tolken novel is the on going struggle between the elite and the

plebeians. This can be seen most clearly in The Hobbit. They are weak and often

foolish, yet capable of great acts of heroism that amaze even the very wise and

the such as when Bilbo stole the possessions of Smaug. The Hobbit was a epic

novel written by the greatest author of his time. The Hobbit falls in the series

of books that include The Lord of the Rings and have a full book conclusion to

the trilogy called The Simacurilium. The way that Tolken writes his book is a

way that brings forth the fealing that it is being read to aloud and the reader

is acctually along side Gandalf due to the use of vivid words and different

literary techniques. The novels are quite worth reading and a one is promised

that they shall not get bored with Gandalf and all his wondrous adventures.