Blog 3C-The Hobbit Analysis

Blog 3C-Analysis: Heroism of Bilbo

My first reaction when I finished The Hobbit was that there was a strong theme of heroism throughout the story. The journey of Bilbo Baggins from his comfortable hole to the land of the mountains illustrates how much he grew as a character, and how Tolkien used different situations to show how he developed into a hero. The way in which Bilbo was portrayed as a hero is evident in each confrontation that the dwarves, the wizard, and the hobbit encounter in their quest to regain the mountain and the arkenstone.

A few ways in which Tolkien was able to develop Bilbo as a hero was through his many journeys. One of the first situations arose when Bilbo confronted the trolls in the woods, and then managed to weasel his way out of a situation with Gollum. Bilbo then saved the dwarves from the spiders. This scene made you as the reader realize that Bilbo was more than just a friend to the dwarves, and Tolkien used this scene touch back on heroism. Bilbo then rescued the dwarves again at the hands of the lake-people. Bilbo was clever enough to devise a plan to load the dwarves into barrels and float them down the river so they could escape. Finally Bilbo would be recognized as a hero after he was brave and clever enough to go and talk to Smaug, the dragon.

Although all of these moments helped develop Bilbo’s character, the turning point that made me realize he was a hero was at the end of the story when each group of characters showed the utmost respect for him. The dwarves, for example, forever held him close to their hearts and Thorin especially showed respect and gratitude towards Bilbo on his deathbed. Thorin even stated, “There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West.” The Elvenking also showed his respect for Bilbo when he said, “I will take your gift, O Bilbo the Magnificent! And I name you elf-friend and blessed.” All of these moments in which Bilbo was looked up to were important in Tolkien showing that Bilbo was a hero. He was the one that saved so many creatures, and brought the land of the Mountain back to a pleasant place to inhabit.

All in all, Bilbo was the hero of the book. He grew from the little timid hobbit who always wanted to be back home with the tea kettle on the stovetop, to a strong hobbit who was able to save his friends and restore peace back to the land of the mountain.