the hobbit 5 paragraph essay

A Summary and Analysis of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

The Hobbit is one of the biggest-selling books of all time. An estimated 100 million people have read Tolkien’s classic children’s novel since it was first published in 1937. The story of its origins, and Tolkien’s supposed invention of the word ‘hobbit’ (of which more below), are well-known. But how should we ‘read’ The Hobbit ? What does the story mean?

Before we offer a textual analysis of Tolkien’s novel, it might be worth briefly summarising the plot.

The Hobbit : plot summary

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit (a species of small creature which Tolkien invented) who lives in Bag End, in the rural loveliness of The Shire. The wizard Gandalf turns up one day, accompanied by thirteen dwarves, who are on a mission to reclaim their gold, as well as their kingdom, from beneath the Lonely Mountain. This land, which was once theirs, has been taken over by a fearsome dragon named Smaug.

Bilbo has been approached because they need a burglar: someone to break into Smaug’s cave so they can go in and defeat the dragon and recover their gold. Bilbo reluctantly agrees to accompany them. However, the leader of the dwarves, Thorin Oakenshield, is even more reluctantly than Bilbo to have the hobbit come along with them, because Bilbo is not a fighter as the dwarves are. However, the others persuade him, and they all set off together.

They travel to Rivendell, the home of the Elves, where Elrond gives them help with their map. But the gang are then caught by goblins while attempting to cross the Misty Mountains, and Gandalf has to rescue them. Bilbo, however, gets lost deep in the underground tunnels, and encounters Gollum, a mysterious creature whose magic ring Bilbo accidentally acquires.

The ring confers invisibility upon whoever wears it, and – to escape Gollum, having played a game of riddles with him – Bilbo uses the ring and finds his way out of the tunnels. He rejoins the dwarves and they once again have to flee the pursuing goblins. They are assisted by eagles and find their way safely to the house of Beorn, who can transform into a fearsome bear.

In the enchanted forest of Mirkwood, Bilbo uses his sword, Sting, to fight off giant spiders which attack them and ensnare the dwarves in webs. Nearing their destination, the gang are helped by the inhabitants of nearby Laketown, who want Smaug defeated as much as they do. Entering the mountain via a secret door, Bilbo finds Smaug’s lair and identifies a weakness in the dragon’s armour.

When Smaug notices him, he flies into a rage, realising that Laketown has helped Bilbo to find his cave; the dragon flies off to burn Laketown to the ground. Thanks to a thrush overhearing Bilbo’s account of Smaug’s weakness, and then flying to the town to tell them, a man named Bard is able to find Smaug’s weak spot and shoot and kill the dragon with an arrow, halting the destruction.

The dwarves are now able to regain their mountain, and Bilbo finds the Arkenstone, a stone precious to Thorin’s family. But he hides it rather than handing it over to Thorin. When the men of Laketown demand a cut of Smaug’s treasure to help repair their town, Thorin refuses, drawing on the surrounding armies of dwarves to defend his position.

Bilbo attempts to intercede, using the Arkenstone to bribe the Laketowners, but when Thorin finds out he sends Bilbo away, angered at having been betrayed by the hobbit.

With the help of the eagles and Beorn, the dwarves win the Battle of Five Armies. However, in the battle Thorin is mortally wounded. Before he dies, he forgives Bilbo. Bilbo returns home to his hobbit-hole, with a small cut of the treasure.

The Hobbit : analysis

We should, according to Tolkien, resist the urge to analyse The Hobbit as an allegory of any kind. Tolkien disliked allegory, and for this reason he wasn’t keen on his friend C. S. Lewis’s Narnia books (although Lewis denied that these were allegory, too).

In his preface to the second edition of the vast sequel to The Hobbit , The Lord of the Rings , Tolkien wrote that many people confuse ‘applicability’ with ‘allegory’, and this distinction is worth pondering. ‘Applicability’, to use Tolkien’s phrase, gives the reader freedom in how they interpret and analyse the story, whereas ‘allegory’ involves a very top-down ‘you should read X here as representing Y’ instruction from the author.

So if we read one of the most famous allegories in twentieth-century literature, George Orwell’s Animal Farm (which appeared just eight years after The Hobbit : we have analysed Orwell’s book here ), as simply a tale about animals and their relationships with their human masters, we are missing something vital from the story.

With The Hobbit , we may detect possible meanings beneath the leafy Shire, the dragon guarding his gold, the novel’s quest motif, and many other details, but Tolkien refuses to prescribe one meaning that we’re meant to follow.

So it was with the great Anglo-Saxon and Middle-English epics which he admired and wrote about as part of his day job as Professor of Anglo-Saxon at the University of Oxford. Grendel and the dragon in Beowulf may mean any number of things: their meaning is in the eye, and mind’s eye, of the reader or listener.

Of course, it helps with old epic poems like Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight that the identity of the author remains unknown to us, so even if they were intended as allegory, we have lost the ‘key’ that supposedly unlocks them.

But even though we know The Hobbit was written by someone who had first-hand experience of war (like many men of his generation, Tolkien had fought in the First World War) as the inevitability of another war was growing even more urgent, we should refuse to draw any clear line between real-world events and the work of imaginative fantasy which Tolkien wrote.

So, if not as allegory, how should we interpret this quest tale for a modern readership, which is clearly indebted to Germanic and Norse myths of the Middle and ‘Dark’ Ages? On a structural level we can be more confident. In his vast and brilliant study of plot structures, The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories , Christopher Booker gives us two pointers which we might apply to The Hobbit : Tolkien’s tale is an example of both the ‘quest’ story and the ‘voyage and return’ narrative.

Indeed, Tolkien’s subtitle for The Hobbit , There and Back Again , even spells this out for us. Bilbo is the reluctant hero who must leave home – as in countless fairy tales – and go out on an adventure which will make him a wiser (and certainly richer) person.

In this connection, it’s worth stopping to analyse both the similarities between The Hobbit and many earlier folk tales and myths and the crucial ways in which Tolkien departs from these tropes and conventions. Vladimir Propp, in his influential work on the ‘ morphology of the folk tale ’, identified a number of plot details and character types which we find in various European fairy stories: a hero has to leave home, a hero is challenged to prove his heroic qualities, a hero is tricked by the villain, and so on; ending, of course, with the hero returning home and order being restored to the world.

Identifying many of Propp’s features in Tolkien’s novel helps to explain (or partly explain at least) why The Hobbit has become such a favourite novel among both young and old readers alike. There is something primal and mythic about its plot elements, as well as its local detail (dragons, treasure, giant eight-legged foes, shape-shifting bears, and the rest of it). Tolkien taps into the need for fireside tales told by travelling mythmongers and local bards which seems hard-wired into our brains.

With The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion it’s clear that Tolkien set out to create a full-blown mythology for England, drawing on its Germanic and Norse heritage, complete with fully developed languages like Elvish (Tolkien’s speciality was philology, or the study of languages). But with The Hobbit he was doing something less ambitious but no less mythic: creating a sort of modern-day fairy story.

And it is those elements of The Hobbit which depart from the traditional folk tale that make the novel something recognisably modern. The hero is not some wet-behind-the-ears youngster who needs to go out and find his way in the world: he is a middle-aged and perfectly settled creature of habit who has his life all sorted and only agrees to leave his comfortable hobbit-hole with the greatest reluctance.

He is not tricked by the villain but turns out to be the arch-trickster himself, outwitting Gollum and winning, for his efforts, the fated magic ring (another well-worn idea even when Tolkien used it: see the Ring of Gyges ) that would become the centrepiece of The Lord of the Rings .

And, of course, Bilbo is knocked unconscious soon after the climactic Battle of the Five Armies begins. Here, perhaps, we might be permitted a smidgen of biographical analysis: Tolkien, having fought in and survived a mass industrial war which afforded little opportunity for old-fashioned heroism, seems to be commenting on the unheroic nature of war and adventure. You’re more likely to be the fellow zonked out on the ground during the battle than you are the warrior wielding the sword and winning the day.

Indeed, even the story’s other main hero, Thorin, doesn’t survive the battle. The Hobbit offers a very cautious and critical account of war, with the costs often outweighing any perceived benefits.

However, this is not to say that Bilbo fails as a ‘hero’: merely that Tolkien is at pains to highlight a quieter, more diplomatic kind of hero whose work goes on behind the scenes (Bilbo’s role as burglar scouting out Smaug’s lair). He tries to prevent the final battle by bargaining with the Laketown residents and Wood-Elves. Thorin is enraged by this, but he ends up paying an even higher price than his family’s precious Arkenstone, giving his own life in the course of the battle.

Contrary to popular belief, the word ‘hobbit’ did exist before The Hobbit . The famous story is that Tolkien, while marking some of his students’ exam papers in Oxford one day, came to a blank sheet which had not a single word written on it. Out of nowhere – or so it seemed – he had a flash of inspiration, and hastily scribbled down the sentence, ‘In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.’

For all that Tolkien’s origin-story offers a delightful ‘Eureka’ moment for the novel’s (and word’s) conception, it should be taken with a pinch of salt. And ultimately, the strength of Tolkien’s novel lies not in its originality but in its superlative assembling of existing tropes and ideas into a story that offers a quiet commentary on the meaning of ‘heroism’ in the modern age.

2 thoughts on “A Summary and Analysis of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit”

Pingback: A Summary and Analysis of The Hobbit – Interesting Literature – The Slavic Polytheist
Pingback: A Summary and Analysis of the Biblical Story of Joshua and the Sun Standing Still – Interesting Literature

“The Hobbit” by Tolkien, Essay Example

Pages: 2

Words: 578

Hire a Writer for Custom Essay

Use 10% Off Discount: "custom10" in 1 Click 👇

You are free to use it as an inspiration or a source for your own work.

The Hobbit book by J.R.R. Tolkien is set in Middle Earth and was first published in early 1937 (Tolkien 11). The book mainly illustrates and a comfort hobbit-hole that belongs to Bilbo Baggins, who is the main character in the story. The books also mainly deal with children literature and mostly involve a number of similarities as the Beowulf story (Tolkien 13). This is because hobbit Bilbo Baggins struggles to win a share of a treasure guarded by the dragon just like in the Beowulf story. Bilbo journey takes him to various sinister settings in the story and allows him reach high levels of maturity as depicted at the end of the story (Tolkien 15). Therefore, the main purpose and aim of this paper is to focus on the development of Bilbo as the chief character in the book and the changes that take place along his journey at particular moments in the story. The paper will also evaluate whether these are bad or good changes as depicted in the story.

Bilbo Character Development in “The Hobbit” Story by J.R.R Tolkien

Bilbo is the main character and the chief protagonist in the story (Tolkien 21). He is depicted by the author as one of the courageous and heroic character in the story (Harris 72). Although various characters are corrupted by greed at the beginning of the story, Bilbo maintains high integrity in the story (Tolkien 31). At beginning and start of the story, he is depicted as the most comfortable hobbits, and he loves foods, drinks as well as security. This is indicated when he snug some little hole at the Bad end especially under the hill (Tolkien 14).

Later in the story, the author introduced Bilbo family life including his involvement with Gandalf under the mountain (Corliss 11). This later gives him gradual development and transformation from a small size homebody to a brave, courageous and confident hero. He is able to hold the dwarves group together due to his cunning tricks, and this allows him to save and rescue them from spiders and wood elves in the Mirkwood (Tolkien 131). After finding his way to the mountain, he leads the group to the treasure; he discovers the Smaug’s weak spot and also attempts to thwart Thorin’s greed (Parman 36). Through this, he brings peace to the elves, humans, and the feuding dwarves (Tolkien 111).

In that sense, Tolkien portrays Bilbo development and changes in the story by depicting him as a small man at the start of the story but later develops into a heroic, confident and brave character in the story (Parman 34). Despite remarkable deeds, Bilbo as the character does not change him (Epps 122). Furthermore, he realizes he has unique and good characters but he does not act arrogantly (Tolkien 167). Thorin also manages to learn how to survive in the outer world from heroic deeds and characters (Tolkien 173). Therefore, due to his ability to save the humans and the elves, it is clear that Bilbo developed into a hero in the story.

Works Cited

Corliss, Richard. “Review: Do Enlist In The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies.” Time.Com (2014): 11.

Epps, Peter G. “Joseph Pearce. Bilbo’s Journey: Discovering the Hidden Meaning of the Hobbit.” Christianity & Literature 64.1 (2014): 122-126.

Harris, Jennifer. “A Hobbit Journey: Discovering the Enchantment of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-Earth.” Library Journal 137.18 (2012): 72.

Parman, Sue. “A Song for J. R. R. Tolkien.” Antioch Review 73.1 (2015): 34-44.

Tolkien, J. R. “The Hobbit”. (1937): 11-410

Stuck with your Essay?

Get in touch with one of our experts for instant help!

Essentials of Financial Risk Management, Essay Example

C Above C Above High C, Research Paper Example

Time is precious

don’t waste it!

Plagiarism-free guarantee

Privacy guarantee

Secure checkout

Money back guarantee

Related Essay Samples & Examples

Voting as a civic responsibility, essay example.

Pages: 1

Words: 287

Utilitarianism and Its Applications, Essay Example

Words: 356

The Age-Related Changes of the Older Person, Essay Example

Words: 448

The Problems ESOL Teachers Face, Essay Example

Pages: 8

Words: 2293

Should English Be the Primary Language? Essay Example

Pages: 4

Words: 999

The Term “Social Construction of Reality”, Essay Example

Words: 371

Experience the Joy of Learning

Just Great DataBase
Study Guides

The Hobbit Essays

J.R.R. Tolkein wrote The Hobbit as a prelude to his much larger and famous work, The Lord of the Rings. It is a story about a hobbit that was recruited by a wizard to help dwarfs recover their ancient home from a fierce dragon. He was chosen by the wizard, Gandalf, because he always believed that...

The Hobbit: A Review Introduction The book I read and analyzed was "The Hobbit" by J. R. R. Tolkien . I shall discuss the plot and character development, setting, author's style and my opinions about it. Plot Development There are too many characters in the story and so it is hard to follow and...

1 119 words

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien is set in a fantasy world that has differences, as well as similarities, to our own world. The author has created the novel's world, Middle Earth, not only by using imagination, but by also adding details from the modern world. Realistic elements in the book enable...

Anyone who had something of great value stolen from him would try to get it back. Even if that person had to go to high risks to reclaim what was theirs. In the book The Hobbit, a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, a wizard named Gandalf, and thirteen dwarves have to get back their lost treasure that a...

1 430 words

"The hobbit," a story of adventure and danger is a prime example of a romantic plot, and fantasy genre. What makes this story such a great example of a romantic plot? One, the unlikely hero, Mr. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit that is dragged on an adventure he doesn't wish to take. Second, there is a...

“Home Floresiensis - The Hobbit” Homo floresiensis (“Man of Flores”) is the name for a possible new species in the genus Homo, remarkable for its small body, small brain, and survival until relatively recent times (www. en. wikipedia. org). Anthropologists Peter Brown of University of New England...

2 927 words

This summer I read the book, “The Hobbit”, by J. R. R. Tolkien. It was a really interesting book with ups and downs just like any other. It was an adventure about a little hobbit named Bilbo who slowly discovers how brave and courageous he is. He is accompanied by 13 dwarves and occasionally a...

1 155 words

‘The Hobbit’ is a beautiful story written by J. R. R Tolkien, and is full of happy, emotional quotes and lovely characters. Tolkien gives detailed descriptions of his characters using humour and often captures his young readers’ attention with short poems. For example, he begins his story with the...

The road towards self discovery truly is one with numerous hardships and conflicts. In the story “The Hobbit” the central character Bilbo Baggins undergoes many situations in which he discovers himself. In the story “The Hobbit” Hobbits are described as little people who love good food, comfort...

Important quotations explained: 1. “Let’s have no more argument. I have chosen Mr. Baggins and that ought to be enough for all of you. If I say he is a Burglar, a Burglar he is, or will be when the time comes. There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of...

Have you ever had to make a change in your life and been scared about what might happen? I have gone through such a change in mine and so has a character called Bilbo. In The Hobbit by J. R. R Tolkien the main character, Bilbo Baggins, a simple hobbit who goes on an adventure that changed his life...

The Hobbit Essay The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien is a book about a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins who was never adventurous. He went on a dangerous journey with the dwarves and he developed a lot as a hobbit as a result. He goes on a great journey and faces many challenges. Bilbo Baggins’ dad was named...

“A hero ventures forth from the world of the common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from the mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man” (Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand...

Narrative Essay. It was a fine spring morning according to Prince Reno of Lorien, who was to set off with his seven most trusted friends-the dwarf brothers Korin and Gorik, the three mighty elf leaders loki,Lorin and Algain and two of the finest Dalish Warriors Phalarix and Cagaris-on a quest...

Throughout the course of a novel a theme of growth and maturation within characters can often be seen. J. R. R. Tolkien uses the theme of maturation within his novel, The Hobbit. This theme is the key point to the development of the character, Bilbo Baggins. In The Hobbit, Tolkien uses Bilbo to...

3. JOSEPH CAMPBELL’S THEORY: THE MONOmyth Joseph Campbell was born in New York 26thof March 1904 and died in Honolulu 30th of October 1987. When he was a student in the University of Columbia, he read some of the legends of King Arthur and found similar kinds of themes and motifs that occurred as...

8 308 words

The Hobbit Question 1 In every fantasy novel, there is always a protagonist and an antagonist with other characters that are either good or bad. The Hobbit by J. R. R Tolkien is a novel about a rich, small and timid hobbit, called Bilbo Baggins, who was chosen by a wizard, Gandalf to join thirteen...

1 014 words

In J. R. R Tolkien’s award-winning 1937 novel The Hobbit, it is extremely evident that there are a multitude of elements that support the conventions of the fantasy genre. Most recurring themes, events and characters support the fantasy genre. There is a continuous quest all throughout the novel...

1 102 words

The Hobbit, By J. R. R Tolkien is definitely one of history’s most important fantasy novels. It was written in the Great Depression, a time of grief and distress, and Tolkien gave the novel’s readers what they lacked, hope, courage and a light at the end of the tunnel. The book alludes mythical...

I will be talking about Gandalf’s role in the story and how he is like a father figure to Bilbo. The Hobbit was wrote by J. R. R. Tolkien. We first see Gandalf at the beginning of the story when he meets Bilbo at his hobbit hole. The first impression the story gives us about Gandalf is he is wise...

Suggestions

An Inspector Calls
As You Like It
The Crucible
The Outsiders

Please wait while we process your payment

Reset Password

Your password reset email should arrive shortly..

If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Sometimes it can end up there.

Something went wrong

Be between 8-15 characters.
Contain at least one capital letter.
Contain at least one number.
Be different from your email address.

By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy .

Don’t have an account? Subscribe now

Create Your Account

Ad-free experience
Note-taking
Flashcards & Quizzes
AP® English Test Prep
Plus much more

Already have an account? Log in

Choose Your Plan

Group Discount

$4.99 /month + tax

$24.99 /year + tax

Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan!

Purchasing SparkNotes PLUS for a group?

Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more!

$24.99 $18.74 / subscription + tax

Subtotal $37.48 + tax

Save 25% on 2-49 accounts

Save 30% on 50-99 accounts

Payment Details

Payment Summary

SparkNotes Plus

Change

You'll be billed after your free trial ends.

7-Day Free Trial

Not Applicable

Renews April 19, 2024 April 12, 2024

Discounts (applied to next billing)

SNPLUSROCKS20 | 20% Discount

This is not a valid promo code.

Discount Code (one code per order)

SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan - Group Discount

SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at [email protected] . Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Free trial is available to new customers only.

For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more!

You’ve successfully purchased a group discount. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. You'll also receive an email with the link.

Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership.

Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Continue to start your free trial.

Your PLUS subscription has expired

We’d love to have you back! Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools.
Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools.
Go ad-free AND get instant access to grade-boosting study tools!
Start the school year strong with SparkNotes PLUS!
Start the school year strong with PLUS!

J. R. R. Tolkien

Study Guide

Study Tools

The Hobbit by English author J. R. R. Tolkien , published in 1937, is a classic fantasy novel that introduces readers to the enchanting world of Middle-earth . The novel is a prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The story of The Hobbit follows the unassuming hobbit Bilbo Baggins, who is thrust into a grand adventure when he joins a group of dwarves led by the wizard Gandalf on a quest to reclaim a treasure guarded by the dragon Smaug. Tolkien’s masterful world-building takes readers from the idyllic Shire to the perilous Mirkwood Forest and the majestic Lonely Mountain, creating a rich tapestry of landscapes and fantastical cultures.

The Hobbit was written during a period marked by the aftermath of World War I and the looming shadow of World War II. Tolkien’s narrative provided readers with an escapist journey into a world filled with magic, mythical creatures, and heroic quests. The novel reflects a collective yearning for adventure and the timeless appeal of stories that transport readers to realms beyond their own.

The influence of The Hobbit is profound, shaping the conventions of modern fantasy literature. The novel’s themes of courage, friendship, and unexpected heroism continue to resonate with readers of all ages. In 2012, the first of three films encapsulating the story of The Hobbit was released by director Peter Jackson, and starring Martin Freeman and Sir Ian McKellen.

Explore the full plot summary , an in-depth character analysis of Bilbo Baggins , and explanations of important quotes from The Hobbit .

Upgrade to PLUS and get instant access to all the study tools

Start your FREE trial

Renew your subscription

Explore PLUS features

The Hobbit SparkNotes Literature Guide

View all Available Study Guides

Take a Study Break

QUIZ: Is This a Taylor Swift Lyric or a Quote by Edgar Allan Poe?

The 7 Most Embarrassing Proposals in Literature

The 6 Best and Worst TV Show Adaptations of Books

QUIZ: Which Greek God Are You?

SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
J.R.R. TOLKIEN & HIS WORKS
COLLECTING TOLKIEN BOOKS
ARTICLES & REVIEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
TOLKIEN BOOK SHOP
Tuesday 28 July 2015 - Tolkien Calendar 2016: Illustrated by Tove Jansson
Monday 27 July 2015 - The Amateur Lord of the Rings
Friday 17 July 2015 - J.R.R. Tolkien a writer of note
Friday 17 July 2015 - Why tolkien's books are so popular Among the Students
Thursday 16 July 2015 - The world first publication of a previously unknown work by J.R.R. Tolkien,The Story of Kullervo
Thursday 11 June 2015 - Rare The History of Middle Earth, all 3 Limited Deluxe Editions in Publishers Slipcase
Saturday 6 June 2015 - Signed copy of the Hobbit sells for record at auction
Sunday 3 May 2015 - On the shores of the shoreless sea
Sunday 19 January 2015 - New Collector Profile added - Giulio Torlai
Saturday 29 November 2014 - Back to the past - Simon J. Cook on Tolkien and History
Tuesday 7 October 2014 - Will we ever see The Silmarillion on the big screen?

Essay Topics and Study Questions on The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (08.01.14 by Robert Morris) - var disqus_shortname = 'tolkienlibrary'; (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.async = true; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = 'https://' + disqus_shortname + '.disqus.com/count.js'; var dsq = document.createElement('script'); dsq.type = 'text/javascript'; dsq.async = true; dsq.src = 'https://tolkienlibrary.disqus.com/embed.js'; (document.getElementsByTagName('HEAD')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('BODY')[0]).appendChild(s); }()); Comments

Study questions

1. Does Thorin fall under the definition of a ‘hero’? Is the death of this character expected and justified after his actions throughout the novel?

Thorin is a complex individual that shows both lovable and repulsive characteristics. By the start of the Battle of the Five Armies, Thorin Oakenshield deserves disrespect and antipathy by most readers and many of the characters in the book. However, his personality also has aspects worthy of respect, especially when he shows exceptional bravery and determination while reclaiming the treasure of his ancestors from Smaug. He rises and falls throughout the book, and his failings are mostly associated to the common characteristics of all dwarves – imperious ego and greed for gold. Thorin’s greatest sin is the ingratitude he shows to the characters that support him, such as the lake men who gave their lives for the victory over Smaug. Thorin is so adamant about the legitimate right to that gold, that he is dishonorable to his benefactors. However, to his credit, he does regret his mistakes in the end and admits his wrongs to Bilbo. However, it is nearly impossible to list this character under the ‘heroic’ category. The main thing he lacks is the ability to think of plans and execute them. Bilbo is the one who gets him through the difficulties that come at his way.

2. Bilbo seems to be completely happy in the hobbit community, but he is not entirely accepted there. At the end of the novel, does he belong in Hobbiton? How can the relation between simple life and heroism be balanced? How does Tolkien approach this issue?

Heroism seems contradictory to the simple life at the beginning of the novel, but these two concepts become complementary at the end of the novel. Bilbo’s resumption of the simple life after proving his courage and wisdom is part of his heroic characteristics. As Thorin says, if all proud warriors learned from the way hobbits live, the world would be a much happier place. When Bilbo returns to Hobbiton and embraces simple life at the end, he proves that evil is obsolete. Even though Bilbo doesn’t belong in the community as far as the hobbits are concerned, there is no other place he belongs to more to than Hobbiton.

3. Are humans portrayed as a good race? Where do they fit in between the races of Middle-Earth?

All races of Middle-Earth possess very distinguishing, constant characteristics. Humans have goodness in them, but this aspect of their personality varies. Tolkien presents humans as creatures capable of determining their own graciousness. Bard, as a great example, is grim, but a kind man that can easily be dubbed as a hero. The old Master of Lake Town, on the other hand, is devious, calculating, and selfish in a way that is almost pitiful when he dies seizing the stolen gold out in the desert. Although the good in humans often prevails, they are somewhere in the middle between the goblins, who are the really evil ones, and elves, who are the true good race.

About the author

The post is written by Robert Morris. Robert is a great fan of Hobbit, crafting essays on Hobbit topics is his favorite. Follow Ninjaessays on Twitter !

Enjoyed this post? Click to get the RSS feed .

Spread the news about this J.R.R. Tolkien article:

70 pages • 2 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-7

Chapters 8-13

Chapters 14-19

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Does Bilbo’s character develop new principles and virtues over the course of the narrative , or do the events of the journey simply bring out the virtue that was dormant within Bilbo the whole time? Use at least three examples from the text to support your answer.

Is Gandalf a wise and prudent friend, or a manipulative puppet master directing Bilbo and the dwarves however he sees fit? Discuss at least three instances of Gandalf’s stratagems.

Is Thorin a good leader, or is he simply the leader by default based on his ancestry?

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now

Related Titles

By J. R. R. Tolkien

Farmer Giles of Ham

J. R. R. Tolkien

Leaf by Niggle

On Fairy-Stories

Return of the King

The Children of Húrin

The Fellowship of the Ring

The Silmarillion

The Two Towers

Featured Collections

Action & Adventure

View Collection

Challenging Authority

Good & Evil

Memorial Day Reads

Military Reads

Required Reading Lists

Teams & Gangs

J.R.R. Tolkien

Literature Notes
Essay Questions
Book Summary
About The Hobbit
Character List
Summary and Analysis
Character Analysis
Bilbo Baggins
Thorin Oakenshield
Character Map
J.R.R. Tolkien Biography
Critical Essays
Major Themes
Full Glossary
Practice Projects
Cite this Literature Note

Study Help Essay Questions

1. Discuss the development of Bilbo Baggins' character. What qualities are used to describe him at the beginning of the story? What qualities emerge during the course of the story? What causes the changes in his character?

2. Discuss Tolkien's use of song in The Hobbit. What purpose do they serve in the story? What do the songs reveal about the characters who sing them?

3. Discuss the attitude toward property and material wealth that emerges in The Hobbit. What are the pitfalls of possessiveness and materialism?

4. Discuss The Hobbit as a quest story. What is Bilbo Baggins searching for? What success does he have in finding it? What does his success, or lack of it, mean for him and others?

Previous Full Glossary

Next Practice Projects

Human Editing
Free AI Essay Writer
AI Outline Generator
AI Paragraph Generator
Paragraph Expander
Essay Expander
Literature Review Generator
Research Paper Generator
Thesis Generator
Paraphrasing tool
AI Rewording Tool
AI Sentence Rewriter
AI Rephraser
AI Paragraph Rewriter
Summarizing Tool
AI Content Shortener
Plagiarism Checker
AI Detector
AI Essay Checker
Citation Generator
Reference Finder
Book Citation Generator
Legal Citation Generator
Journal Citation Generator
Reference Citation Generator
Scientific Citation Generator
Source Citation Generator
Website Citation Generator
URL Citation Generator
Proofreading Service
Editing Service
AI Writing Guides
AI Detection Guides
Citation Guides
Grammar Guides
Paraphrasing Guides
Plagiarism Guides
Summary Writing Guides
STEM Guides
Humanities Guides
Language Learning Guides
Coding Guides
Top Lists and Recommendations
AI Detectors
AI Writing Services
Coding Homework Help
Citation Generators
Editing Websites
Essay Writing Websites
Language Learning Websites
Math Solvers
Paraphrasers
Plagiarism Checkers
Reference Finders
Spell Checkers
Summarizers
Tutoring Websites

Most Popular

10 days ago

Why Congress Cares About Media Literacy and You Should Too

How educators can reinvent teaching and learning with ai.

11 days ago

Who vs Whom

Plagiarism vs copyright, top 20 best books on american history, the hobbit essay sample, example.

Tolkien was an academic, being a professor at Pembroke College at Oxford. In the early 1930s, his works mostly consisted of children’s literature, which included poetry, nursery rhymes, and other types of writing for young adults. At this time, he was even making his own elven language and mythology, which he had been developing since 1917 (Rateliff, John D.).

According to a letter Tolkien sent to W.H. Auden in 1955, Tolkien began writing The Hobbit in the early 1930s while marking up papers by his students. He saw a blank page, and started to write, “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” He was greatly inspired to write the story, and the first manuscript of The Hobbit was finished in 1932 (Carpenter, Humphrey). He handed the manuscript to his friends, including C.S. Lewis and Elaine Griffiths, a student of his. Griffiths later was the catalyst for the publishing of The Hobbit . When a staff member of the publishing company George Allen & Unwin, Susan Dagnall, came to Oxford, Griffiths either lent the book to Dagnall or was suggested to borrow it from Tolkien. Dagnall enjoyed the novel, and handed over the manuscript to a 10-year-old boy to receive a child’s point of view. With a favorable review from the child, George Allen & Unwin agreed to publish The Hobbit (Carpenter, Humphrey).

Before getting into how the book became a success, let us look into Tolkien’s influences for the story. William Morris, who was a 19th-century English poet, translator, and creative genius, was a significant figure to Tolkien. In fact, Tolkien desired to write more in Morris’ romantic style. In particular, a chapter named The Desolation of Smaug was directly influenced by Morris’ style and ideas (The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien). Another writer that left an impression on Tolkien was Samuel Rutherford Crockett. His historical novel The Black Douglas and its villain Gilles de Retz inspired The Hobbit ‘s evil character Sauron. It is said the narrative style and even the events in both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings were influenced by The Black Douglas (Lobdell, Jared C.). The goblins within The Hobbit are closely associated with the goblins in the novel The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald. In addition, MacDonald impressed upon Tolkien the role of fantasy in the context of Christianity ( J. R. R. Tolkien Encyclopedia: Scholarship and Critical Assessment ). Another key influence on The Hobbit is Tolkien’s adoration of Norse mythology and Germanic philology. Not only are many myths from Norse mythology adapted into The Hobbit , the names of the characters have a distinct Old Norse feel to them (Rateliff, John D.). And speaking of characters, the dwarves were modeled after ancient Jewish people and their history (Rateliff, John D.). Last but not least, the epic Beowulf was the main inspiration behind the world Tolkien wanted to create. As Tolkien was a respected scholar of Beowulf , The Hobbit was in part a tribute to the epic and a reworking of it (Purtill, Richard L.).

After The Hobbit was published in 1937 on the 21st of September, it quickly sold copies amidst highly favorable reviews (Hammond, Wayne G.). Already by December of 1937, the publisher was asking for a sequel. Tolkien had to rework some of The Hobbit to match the tone of the sequel that eventually became The Lord of the Rings . In fact, he was still making edits to The Hobbit until 1966, through many editions ( The Annotated Hobbit ).

The Hobbit , which jumpstarted Tolkien’s career as an author, became not only a success, but also a worldwide phenomenon of fantasy and mythology. The Hobbit and the ensuing trilogy of The Lord of the Rings is so ingrained in world culture, that it is now unimaginable to think of our planet without this treasured novel. Through Tolkien’s love of literature, he incorporated many tales into The Hobbit , and improved their plots, mythology, and sense of kinship with readers.

Rateliff, John D. (2007). The History of the Hobbit . London: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-00-723555-1.

Carpenter, Humphrey (1977), Tolkien: A Biography , New York: Ballantine Books, ISBN 0-04-928037-6.

Carpenter, Humphrey, ed. (1981), The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien , Boston: Houghton Mifflin, ISBN 0-395-31555-7.

Lobdell, Jared C. (2004). The World of the Rings: Language, Religion, and Adventure in Tolkien . Open Court. ISBN 0-8126-9569-0.

Drout, Michael D. C., ed. (2007). J. R. R. Tolkien Encyclopedia: Scholarship and Critical Assessment . Routledge. ISBN 0-4159-6942-5.

Purtill, Richard L. (2006). Lord of the Elves and Eldils . Ignatius Press. pp. 53–55. ISBN 1-58617-084-8.

Hammond, Wayne G.; Anderson, Douglas A. (1993), J. R. R. Tolkien: A Descriptive Bibliography , New Castle, DE: Oak Knoll Books, ISBN 0-938768-42-5.

Tolkien, J. R. R. (2003) [1937]. Anderson, Douglas A., ed. The Annotated Hobbit . London: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-00-713727-3.

Comments (0)

Welcome to A*Help comments!

We’re all about debate and discussion at A*Help.

We value the diverse opinions of users, so you may find points of view that you don’t agree with. And that’s cool. However, there are certain things we’re not OK with: attempts to manipulate our data in any way, for example, or the posting of discriminative, offensive, hateful, or disparaging material.

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

More from Expository Essay Examples and Samples

Nov 23 2023

Why Is Of Mice And Men Banned

Nov 07 2023

Pride and Prejudice Themes

May 10 2023

Remote Collaboration and Evidence Based Care Essay Sample, Example

Related writing guides, writing an expository essay.

Remember Me

Is English your native language ? Yes No

What is your profession ? Student Teacher Writer Other

Forgotten Password?

Username or Email

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Hobbit — Bilbo Baggins – A True Hero In The Hobbit

Bilbo Baggins – a True Hero in The Hobbit

Categories: The Hobbit Tolkien

About this sample

Words: 587 |

Published: Apr 11, 2022

Words: 587 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Works Cited:

Clark, A. E., & Oswald, A. J. (1994). Unhappiness and unemployment. The Economic Journal, 104(424), 648-659.
Cordes, C. L., & Dougherty, T. W. (1993). A review and an integration of research on job burnout. Academy of Management Review, 18(4), 621-656.
Friedman, H. S., & Booth-Kewley, S. (1987). The “disease-prone personality”: A meta-analytic view of the construct. American Psychologist, 42(6), 539-555.
Kahneman, D., Diener, E., & Schwarz, N. (Eds.). (1999). Well-being: The foundations of hedonic psychology. Russell Sage Foundation.
Locke, E. A. (1976). The nature and causes of job satisfaction. Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology, 1297-1349.
Mazur, B. (2008). The effect of emotional intelligence on job satisfaction and organizational commitment among nurses. Journal of nursing management, 16(8), 964-975.
Niven, D. (2012). The 100 simple secrets of happy people: what scientists have learned and how you can use it. HarperCollins.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2001). On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 141-166.
Scherer, K. R., & Ekman, P. (Eds.). (1982). Handbook of methods in nonverbal behavior research. Cambridge University Press.
Seligman, M. E. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Simon and Schuster.
Shore, L. M., & Martin, H. J. (1989). Job satisfaction and organizational commitment in relation to work performance and turnover intentions. Human relations, 42(7), 625-638.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr Jacklynne

Verified writer

Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3.5 pages / 1676 words

6.5 pages / 3030 words

7 pages / 3276 words

3.5 pages / 2123 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on The Hobbit

In J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel "The Hobbit," the protagonist Bilbo Baggins undergoes a profound transformation from a timid and unadventurous hobbit to a brave and resourceful hero. This essay will analyze Bilbo's journey and [...]

In J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic novel, The Hobbit, Chapter 1 serves as a captivating introduction to the fantastical world that awaits the reader. Through a lyrical and evocative approach, this essay will delve into the summary [...]

Campbell, J. (1949). The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Bollingen Foundation.Tolkien, J. R. R. (1937). The Hobbit. George Allen & Unwin.Beowulf: A New Translation. (Translated by Heaney, S., 1999). W. W. Norton & Company.Batman: [...]

While it may be easy to underestimate the importance of scenic descriptions, setting plays an important role in most literature - including character-driven fantasy. Setting can be written to represent conflicting forces or [...]

The fear of a dystopian future that is explored in both Fritz Lang’s film Metropolis and George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty Four is reflective of the values of the societies at the time and the context of the authors. As [...]

Problems faced by characters in literature often repeat themselves, and when these characters decide to solve these standard problems, their actions are often more similar than they first appear. This idea is evident when [...]

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free

J.R.R. Tolkien the Hobbit Essay

Essay on The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien Don't judge a book by its cover. This famous phrase can very well be applied to the hobbit a small human like creature that goes along with 13 dwarves and a wizard. The wizard, Gandalf, has total faith in the little hobbit knowing full well that when the time comes he will serve the dwarves quite well. He does this with the help of a ring that makes him invisible. He saves the dwarves from evil spiders that wish to eat them. Uses it to help them

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Plot: The Hobbit is about a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins who's living in the Shire Hobbiton. A wizard named Gandalf shows up with 13 military dwarfs and asks Bilbo to help reclaim the dwarf’s treasure. On the way they thought run into issues and obstacles. Wondering through tunnels in the Misty Mountains after being left behind, Bilbo find a strange Golden ring that when worn turns you invisible and pockets it. After that he meets back up with Gandalf and the 13 dwarves only to later be abandoned

depends on. If the leader is lost almost always a new unlikely leader is bound to emerge. Leaders often do not know who they are until they are put in a position where they must lead for the success of the group. Leaders play a huge role in the book The Hobbit. Jack Welch summarizes the leader’s role in this book perfectly. Bilbo before he is a leader, Bilbo when he is a leader and Gandalf’s actions all relate to the quote Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a

Treatment of Race in the Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit is a novel about a complacent hobbit named Bilbo Baggins accompanying a group of thirteen dwarves - as their burglar - on a journey to regain the dwarves’ treasure from the vast, beastly dragon, Smaug. Along the adventure, Bilbo starts becoming the brave adventurer he was meant to be. While the story is a fun, adventurous tale, the stereotypes and racism of/in the character races could be seen as a reflection of discrimination in the early 1900s and modern days. The way character groups

Famous Author in Britain, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was Actually Born in South Africa

famous authors in British history, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was not even born in England or Europe at all. In fact, J.R.R. Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, which is now a republic of South America. J.R.R. Tolkien was born on January 3, 1982. J.R.R. Tolkien was a very famous writer, poet, and even an English professor who was best known for his works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. When J.R.R. Tolkien was at a young age, there were many things that he saw

Why Is The Hobbit Controversial

J.R.R. Tolkien: Controversial but Great When most people think of J.R.R. Tolkien, they often think of his great imagination and his world of great dragons, warriors, orcs, hobbits, wizards, dwarves and elves. But most people forget about the deeper meaning behind his stories and his controversy towards society. Tolkien was a British, fantasy, writer during the mid-1900s. Through his love of languages, religion, and country, J.R.R Tolkien’s works of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are controversial

The Hobbit's Impact On American Culture

The Impact of J.R.R. Tolkien on American Culture and Society ”All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost” (J.R.R. Tolkien). During Tolkien's life, America has gone through many ups and downs. America enters World War I in 1917 and goes through the Great Depression in 1930. As Tolkien is living his best life in England, the media and politics in the U.S. are flustered. Republicans

Examples Of Proverbs In The Hobbit

Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves and Orcs: A Look at the Life and Works of J.R.R. Tolkien If a live dragon looked you in the eye, what would you do? Would you stand paralyzed with fear? Would you run? Take a page out of Bilbo Baggins’s book and engage the beast, flatter him. Tell him a riddle or two (Tolkien 199). According to J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, riddles fascinate dragons. Tolkien advises us to always speak in riddles when speaking to a dragon (Tolkien 200)

Examples Of Archetypes In The Hobbit

Archetypes of The Hobbit While many characters in The Hobbit represent purposeful meanings, three main archetypes help develop the journey. Throughout the Hobbit’s journey, he encounters many characters. Some characters help him while others harm him. Even though Bilbo faced many challenges in his journey, he still came out alive. Bilbo, of course, represents the hero, and Gandalf represents the mentor. At long last, the ‘shadow’ comes into play-Smaug. Overall, Bilbo, Gandalf, and Smaug represent

The Hobbit Comparison

J.R.R. Tolkien is a writing superhero who has created a vast world that can be compared and contrasted. One interesting fact about J.R.R. Tolkien is that he knew at least 20 languages and made many of his own. Knowing and making many languages is what really solidified his way of writing, by doing so he created multiple languages that are used in both The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. To understand the differences between Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit is necessary to take a closer look at the

by J.R.R. Tolkien

The hobbit summary and analysis of chapters 5-8.

Chapter Five: Riddles in the Dark

Bilbo is alone and on all fours, groping along "till suddenly his hand met what felt like a tiny ring of cold metal lying on the floor of the tunnel. It was a turning point in his career, but he did not know it. He put the ring in his pocket almost without thinking..." He looks for his pipe and tobacco, finds them, but cannot find matches. Bilbo remembers that he has the "elvish dagger" from the trolls and its pale dim light tells him that he is well removed from the goblins' presence though not comfortably removed. The tunnel seems endlessly descending and the hobbit continues until he splashes a foot into an underground lake.

He recedes to the shore and waits. A creature named Gollum hisses, announcing his presence, and Gollum begins a conversation with Bilbo. Soon, they are both in a riddle contest where Bilbo's loss makes Gollum's dinner and Bilbo's victory procures Gollum's assistance in navigation and exit. Gollum has trouble with the riddles that require knowledge of the outside world, for he has lived in this low, dark, dank recess within a cave for quite some time. Though he is losing the game, Gollum's confidence reveals itself in the fact of his boiling a pot to cook Bilbowhatever Bilbo is exactly. In the end, Gollum correctly answers a very tough riddle and he assumes this to be his victory-in-hand. Bilbo wins in the end, however.

Gollum becomes belligerent and refuses to keep his promise. Instead, Gollum goes to his trunk and begins searching for something that he soon realizes is lost. He has lost the "ring" (a birthday-present) and quickly concludes that Bilbo has it. Gollum moves to block Bilbo's departure, but Bilbo has learnedfrom Gollum's wailsthat the ring makes its bearer invisible. Bilbo eventually (though narrowly) escapes Gollum and exits the Goblins' cave, invisible to the end.

There are two similes that unite the pale light of Gollum's eyes with the standard images of light and vision: "lamp-like" and "telescopes [for] distance." Gollum uses the invisibility of the ring and the light of his eyes to capture those who are helplessly undefended: blind fish and small goblins. Without his ring, Gollum concludes that his enviable balance of power has been disrupted.

The themes of knowledge and surveillance are entwined in many ways. It is dark, as the game of riddles is played among strangers (Bilbo, Gollum) and whoever else is present (?)all the while, Gollum tries to spy on visible Bilboall the while, Gollum's ring is unseen because it is inside of Bilbo's pocket and hiddenwhile Gollum searches for the hidden ring inside of his trunkwhile Bilbo realizes that his hidden ring will make him invisible. In terms of narrative structure, we should consider the riddle-game as a decoy that is less significant (morally and plot-wise) than the "foil" story concerning the loss and ownership of the ring. With the ring, Bilbo is immune to surveillance, though his shadows are troublesome. More important, the ring does not turn Bilbo into a wretched Gollum. Gollum's ring is a foil to Bilbo's riddle-game, but there is no simple equation of parallelism, foils or contrasts when we look at the two characters, Bilbo and Gollum. Both are thieves, tricksters and clever; both are armed and offer the truth sparingly. Still, Bilbo has compassion for Gollum, genuinely suffers when he hears the creature wailing and most important: Bilbo refuses to use an imbalance of power against Gollum. Gollum's greatest fault is his willingness to invisibly stalk blind things. This produces an awkward amalgam of pride and hubris in Gollum ('I'm a big fish in a small pond') but it also provokes our sympathy (he is in a pond, newly acquainted with his fear of the goblins).

It seems that every detail of the chapter foreshadows Tolkien's later workthe Trilogy more so than this novel. Suffice to say, this ring is very important. Gollum will reappear in the LOTR trilogy and Bilbo is very different now. In terms of theme, we might begin considering how heavy doses of foreshadowing (on the literary plane) and theft/heirlooms within the story itself, chip away at ideas of "free-will" and "self-knowledge" and turn the ring into a symbol of fate and destiny. Let the tobacco-pipe stand in opposition to the ring,as a symbol of nostalgia, domesticity and the hearthforces that would will Bilbo back to his hobbit-hole.

Chapter Six: Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire

Bilbo has escaped the goblins but he is still lost and has no clue where he is. He sees that he is on the east side of the mountains, at the edge of the Land Beyond. Bilbo fears that his friends are lost and he thinks of returning to find them. Fortunately, he finds the group and surprises them with his presencehe is able to sneak upon them wearing the ring. He tells the story of Gollum though he neglects mentioning the ring. Inside of the Goblin tunnels, the group has lost track of several days and though they are disoriented, they must continue forward. After all, the goblins are intent upon avenging the death of Great Goblin .

Gandalf urges the group ahead and they encounter a pack of wolves. They can climb up a few nearby trees but they are surrounded. The wolves and goblins are allies and as it turns out, the wolves are waiting in this forest-glade because they have planned a joint-attack with the goblins. Of course, the wolves cannot carry out their attack on the town because the goblins have not shown up at the appointed hourand this is because they are mourning their leader and looking for the dwarves.

Gandalf knows that he must do something and so he starts a fire in the midst of the wolves, attracting the attention of the Lord of the Eagles. Goblins arrive on the scene to mock the pained wolves and in a clever move, they burn fires around the trees in order to trap the dwarves. The Lord of the Eagles arrives and carries Gandalf away, just in time, and other birds come and save the dwarves and Bilbo. And so, the chapter ends with Bilbo lodged in a safe place, sleeping soundly.

In terms of character development, Gandalf's conversation is interesting because it puts his limited powers within focus. His knowledge of the futureof what is fatedis implied by phrases like "If we can only find him [Bilbo] again, you will thank me before all is over." Permitting suspense, but only for a time, Gandalf knows that Bilbo is able to save himself when Gandalf no longer can save the hobbit. The introduction of the "Lord of the Eagles" initiates Biblical allusions, but more important, the relationships between various species are gaining some clarity. The eagle is a symbol representing keen-sight, strength and endurance. And after the descent into the caves, the ascension with the eagles is a welcome contrast.

While sleep brings rest, it does not bring unconsciousness for Bilbo. As these themes develop, we find that Bilbo's nostalgia overpowers his need for immediate shelter. Instead of enjoying his present shelter, he longs for his old home. His sleeps "on the hard rock more soundly than ever he had done on his feather-bed" and in physical terms, we can understand the juxtaposed images (hard rock, feather-bed).

But what we find is that, in Bilbo's dream, the feather-bed is a metonym that stands for his entire house and the comforts of being at home. As much as his body needs sleep, his spirit needs home: "all night he dreamed of his own house and wandered in his sleep into all his different rooms looking for something that he could not find nor remember what it looked like." This is certainly a contrast to the rambling through the caves and it strengthens the search and "quest" motif of The Hobbit . As a finer, more precise detail, the reader should now consider Bilbo as a foil of Gollum and eventually, Smaug . In his dream, Bilbo has lost something and the irony of the dream goes beyond the thematic issues of interpretation and knowledge. Embarking upon his career as a thief, Bilbo has left his house; now, he dreams that he lost a piece of his property, he mimics his travels inside of the house that is mow very far away, and above all, he cannot remember what the lost thing looks likedoes he know what it is, then? The theme of nostalgia, one-third of the way through the novel, now poses Bilbo's risk of forgetting home even as he longs for it. This is an emptying of emotions, followed by a chapter entitled: "Queer Lodgings."

Chapter Seven: Queer Lodgings

Bilbo wakes early and the group soon departs, riding the eagles' backs to the other side of the Misty Mountains. Bilbo is a little uncomfortable, especially when the eagles begin to spiral in downward sweeps. Though he does not know where he is headed, Bilbo is glad to be deposited somewhere. Gandalf reestablishes his friendship with the Lord of the Eagles and the birds depart. A friend of Gandalf lives nearby and Gandalf intends to procure his assistance. Since this character is a recluse though, he cannot bring all of his company in at once. A ruse is designed to assure their slow but steady entrance into the great wooden house.

With a bit of truth-bending and a good amount of suspense, Gandalf is able to keep his friend, a giant/bear named Beorn , amused enough to admit the company of all of the dwarves. His wooden house is very comfortable and safe, and the travelers spend a few days in Beorn's protection. Later in the night, the dwarves are in raised spiritsto such an extent, that they are able to sing. During the day, Beorn leaves the house and verifies Gandalf's story in regards to the wolves and goblins. He is now, of course, more eager to assist them. He adds to their diminished store of supplies and helps them along the road, warning them not to stray off of the path. Soon after his departure, Gandalf returns to his own business, leaving the group with another admonition "DON'T LEAVE THE PATH!" Bilbo and the dwarves are back inside the forest.

We can definitely sense the varying tones of the story, as the action ranges from rescue, dining, singing, desertion, departure and those final ominous words of the chapter, foreshadowing doom with perfect clarity as the group "turned from the light that lay on the lands outside and plunged into the forest." We have images of the forest and the fears of a plunge, or fall. And we know that there are so many awful archetypes attached to plunges and falls: hell: the bottomless pit, the "fall" of man in the garden/forest, Icarus' plunge into the sea, etc.

The most important thing to identify in "Queer Lodgings" is the role that Beorn's house plays in Tolkien's merging of Christian and Anglo-Saxon literary tradition. The company of travelers can be considered as an Anglo-Saxon troop of warriors who have arrived at a great mead-hall, akin to Heorot in Beowulf. Certainly, this allusion is evidenced by the descriptions of the interior and the martial aspect of the proprietor, Beorn. The Christian symbolism, oddly enough, does not come in the supper scene, but first, in the equation of Beorn's house as a way-station for pilgrims united against a common evil; second, in Beorn's role as a larger-than-life protector who offers a safe and restricted space; and finally, in the departures of the two saviors, Beorn and Gandalf, leaving their followers with blessings and warnings. Beorn's house is the image of heaven but the restrictions he establishes and the warnings regarding the forest, aptly illustrate the parallel between Eden and destruction. So, to sum up Tolkien's Christianized Eden/Forest/Path motif: we can see Beorn as a God who lives in a secure heaven-like lodging, setting the individuals into the forest with the promise that they may always return. As an intermediary between Beorn and the others, Gandalf travels a little further than Beorn, and though it is obvious and foreshadowed that the group will stray off of the path, Gandalf plays Messiah by warning them not to stray. In terms of Tolkien's own system of symbols, note that Gandalf heads for the West and this is where good souls spend their eternity, and in sync with the alluded ascension of Christ, Gandalf went "away and was soon lost to sight," leaving his disciples behind. In a very literal way, these novices need to stay on the path and because they don't, the upcoming chapter "Flies and Spiders" is not very pleasant.

Chapter Eight: Flies and Spiders

Bilbo and the dwarves begin marching in single file and the forest becomes a gloomy tunnel because the tops of the trees meet and make a sun-shielding canopy. It is hard to sleep because there are myriad animals on both sides of the road. The provisions of food are diminishing and eventually this is what sparks the move to stray from the prescribed road. There is a small brook to be forded and Bilbo proves efficient here. Unfortunately, Bombur, one of the awkward dwarves falls into the water and this water is poisoned. Bombur is recovered but he remains in a stupor for the duration of the chapter.

It seems that there is a fire not far off the side of the roadmaybe there is food there? Alas, this is a mirage that occurs several times until finally, the group is separated and lost. It seems to be some magic at work. Bilbo is alone in the dark and after trying to find his friends, he gives up and goes to sleep. He is arrested in his sleep, attacked by a giant spider that was trying to poison him. Bilbo kills it with his sword and then he, himself, falls down and passes out. When he wakes up he finds his friends swaddled in spider net, suspended from tree branches and guarded by a troop of spiders. Bilbo's invisibility and sword help to get some of the dwarves free. Things improve when Gandalf returns to offer assistance, but in the end, Thorin is missing and he must be rescued from the king of the wood-elves.

This chapter celebrates the forest as a site of magic, combining the archetypes of non-fantasy literature and the characters and activities that we expect in the genres of children's literature or perhaps, fables. We do want to draw distinctions between fantasy and mythology, here. The troop of giant spiders is much like an instance of fantasy. It does not resemble the Greek spiders (the myth of Arachne) and though the spider is a symbol of evil and subterfuge, the symbolic content of the spider-web is only an image hereit is not developed. On the other hand, the magical "dinner-dreams" of the elves are well within the genres of literary fiction and mythology. We might compare this chapter to Christina Rossetti's famous poem "Goblin Market," because of the successful injection of magic on the sidelines of our real and contemporary society. And the didactic (educational, instructional, warning) tone of Gandalf in the previous chapter, is present in Rossetti's poem and this chapter as well.

The idea of dreams is connected to the themes of consciousness and unconsciousness. We are glad that Bilbo is a light sleeper and he is a hero for itand this is not the first time. Isn't this a little unexpected though, a bit of a contrast to Bilbo's groggy complaints for more sleep-time and late-starts in the morning? His character is developing and deepening. Bombur's fall into the water is not strong enough to be a neat and clean, very precise mythological allusion but it does resemble several scenes and motifs (a few of which are worth noting). Politically incorrect? Certainly. But Bombur's sleep, sluggishness and gluttony are not merely coincidental; Bombur is becoming a comica specific type of character who plays a buffoon: he is overweight, he sleeps, he must be carried and he is semi-conscious yet quite hungry. In terms of character development, Bombur maybe "round" physically, but in literary terms he is still "flat." Realize though, that the food- and sleep-loving Hobbit is even more of a hero, when Bombur can take his place as the burdensome, lethargic, hungry character. Especially, when we consider that there are fourteen dwarves and not all of them have personalities, it seems we are not taking excessive license here; rather, we are drawing an insightful conclusion: the dwarves are plot-devices and the story is really about Bilbo and the ring.

If Thorin were the hero, he would have proven it by nowand not by getting himself lost. Tolkien's groups may travel in packs of fourteen and fifteeneven the LOTR Trilogy begins with an awkwardly large pack of travelersbut the heroes are only able to locate and develop their heroism, an inborn thing, when they are alone. The parallel between the lost hero, Thorin, and the lost hobbit, Bilbo, becomes interesting now. The alliteration of swords: "Beater," "Biter" may toss add a certain gleam to these blades, alternately called cleavers and hammers. And to their credit, these swords have slain many foes in battle. But Tolkien's presentation departs from the outmoded medieval fields of battle (so unfortunately resuscitated in WWI trench-style fighting), and quite rationally understands good vs. evil to be a war composed of skirmishes, nighttime ambushes, one-on-one fights and internal (personal) struggles. Bilbo is a hero who does not fight armies, yet he wins battles without seeking them.

Bilbo does not fit the archetype of the epic hero on a quest, because even the medieval Christianized revisions produce questing hero who are more martial than Bilbo is. It is significant that Bilbo names his sword and that he names it: "Sting." And unlike Beater and Biter, Sting is treated as a metonym: it is only associated with Bilbo, but because Bilbo is invisible it is considered to be his body because this body part is all that can be seen. Here, the part becomes the whole (body). This new development in the sword imagery is treated in more depth within the discussion of the theme: "Heroism."

Suspense and foreshadowing are not quite the same thing, but we will find plenty of both at the end of each chapter (and it is useful to keep track of the chapter names well before you actually get to the chapter). There is suspense regarding Thorin's whereabouts but the tone is not ominous. Instead of death, the difficulty of the inevitable heroic act is what is foreshadowed. Look to Bilbo for heroics and look at individual dwarves (namely Bombur, Thorin, and the duo: Fili & Kili) as "types" of characters that are made available precisely so that you can compare them to Bilbo and understand Bilbo's emergence into heroism.

GradeSaver will pay $15 for your literature essays

The Hobbit Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Hobbit is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Chapter 16 A Thief in the Night

Gandalf is proud of Bilbo's problem solving skills. Bilbo knew his actions would have consequences, and yet, he did what he believed to be right anyway.

Who are Bilbo’s visitors? How does Bilbo react to them?

Thirteen dwarves and one wizard. Bilbo feels irritated and annoyed by them, yet interested in what they have to say.

What side of Bilbo pushes him towards adventure?

Bilbo's "Tookish" side of him pushes him towards adventure.

Study Guide for The Hobbit

The Hobbit study guide contains a biography of J.R.R. Tolkien, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

About The Hobbit
The Hobbit Summary
Character List
Chapters 1-4 Summary and Analysis

Essays for The Hobbit

The Hobbit essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Tolkien's Hobbit: From Children's Story to Mythic Creation
Heroes and the Hobbit
Sting and Bilbo: Significance of the Small in The Hobbit
Archetypes of Englishness in The Hobbit and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
The Impact of Setting in The Hobbit

Lesson Plan for The Hobbit

About the Author
Study Objectives
Common Core Standards
Introduction to The Hobbit
Relationship to Other Books
Bringing in Technology
Notes to the Teacher
Related Links
The Hobbit Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for The Hobbit

Introduction
Concept and creation
Critical analysis

Suggestions

As You Like It
Death of a Salesman
Lord of the Flies
The Outsiders
Wuthering Heights

Please wait while we process your payment

Reset Password

Your password reset email should arrive shortly..

If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Sometimes it can end up there.

Something went wrong

Be between 8-15 characters.
Contain at least one capital letter.
Contain at least one number.
Be different from your email address.

By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy .

Don’t have an account? Subscribe now

Create Your Account

Ad-free experience
Note-taking
Flashcards & Quizzes
AP® English Test Prep
Plus much more

Already have an account? Log in

Choose Your Plan

Group Discount

$4.99 /month + tax

$24.99 /year + tax

Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan!

Purchasing SparkNotes PLUS for a group?

Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more!

$24.99 $18.74 / subscription + tax

Subtotal $37.48 + tax

Save 25% on 2-49 accounts

Save 30% on 50-99 accounts

Payment Details

Payment Summary

SparkNotes Plus

Change

You'll be billed after your free trial ends.

7-Day Free Trial

Not Applicable

Renews April 18, 2024 April 11, 2024

Discounts (applied to next billing)

SNPLUSROCKS20 | 20% Discount

This is not a valid promo code.

Discount Code (one code per order)

SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan - Group Discount

For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more!

You’ve successfully purchased a group discount. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. You'll also receive an email with the link.

Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership.

Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Continue to start your free trial.

Your PLUS subscription has expired

We’d love to have you back! Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools.
Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools.
Go ad-free AND get instant access to grade-boosting study tools!
Start the school year strong with SparkNotes PLUS!
Start the school year strong with PLUS!
Study Guide

J. R. R. Tolkien

Unlock your free sparknotes plus trial, unlock your free trial.

Ad-Free experience
Easy-to-access study notes
AP® English test prep

The Hobbit Full Book Summary

Bilbo Baggins lives a quiet, peaceful life in his comfortable hole at Bag End. Bilbo lives in a hole because he is a hobbit—one of a race of small, plump people about half the size of humans, with furry toes and a great love of good food and drink. Bilbo is quite content at Bag End, near the bustling hobbit village of Hobbiton, but one day his comfort is shattered by the arrival of the old wizard Gandalf, who persuades Bilbo to set out on an adventure with a group of thirteen militant dwarves. The dwarves are embarking on a great quest to reclaim their treasure from the marauding dragon Smaug, and Bilbo is to act as their “burglar.” The dwarves are very skeptical about Gandalf’s choice for a burglar, and Bilbo is terrified to leave his comfortable life to seek adventure. But Gandalf assures both Bilbo and the dwarves that there is more to the little hobbit than meets the eye.

Shortly after the group sets out, three hungry trolls capture all of them except for Gandalf. Gandalf tricks the trolls into remaining outside when the sun comes up, and the sunlight turns the nocturnal trolls to stone. The group finds a great cache of weapons in the trolls’ camp. Gandalf and the dwarf lord Thorin take magic swords, and Bilbo takes a small sword of his own.

The group rests at the elfish stronghold of Rivendell, where they receive advice from the great elf lord Elrond, then sets out to cross the Misty Mountains. When they find shelter in a cave during a snowstorm, a group of goblins who live in the caverns beneath the mountain take them prisoner. Gandalf leads the dwarves to a passage out of the mountain, but they accidentally leave behind Bilbo.

Wandering through the tunnels, Bilbo finds a strange golden ring lying on the ground. He takes the ring and puts it in his pocket. Soon he encounters Gollum, a hissing, whining creature who lives in a pool in the caverns and hunts fish and goblins. Gollum wants to eat Bilbo, and the two have a contest of riddles to determine Bilbo’s fate. Bilbo wins by asking the dubious riddle, “What have I got in my pocket?”

Gollum wants to eat Bilbo anyway, and he disappears to fetch his magic ring, which turns its wearer invisible. The ring, however, is the same one Bilbo has already found, and Bilbo uses it to escape from Gollum and flee the goblins. He finds a tunnel leading up out of the mountain and discovers that the dwarves and Gandalf have already escaped. Evil wolves known as Wargs pursue them, but Bilbo and his comrades are helped to safety by a group of great eagles and by Beorn, a creature who can change shape from a man into a bear.

The company enters the dark forest of Mirkwood, and, making matters worse, Gandalf abandons them to see to some other urgent business. In the forest, the dwarves are caught in the webs of some giant spiders, and Bilbo must rescue them with his sword and magic ring. After slaying his first spider, Bilbo names his sword Sting. Shortly after escaping the spiders, the unlucky dwarves are captured by a group of wood elves who live near the river that runs through Mirkwood. Bilbo uses his ring to help the company escape and slips the dwarves away from the elves by hiding them inside barrels, which he then floats down the river. The dwarves arrive at Lake Town, a human settlement near the Lonely Mountain, under which the great dragon sleeps with Thorin’s treasure.

After sneaking into the mountain, Bilbo talks to the sly dragon Smaug, who unwittingly reveals that his armorlike scales have a weak spot near his heart. When Bilbo steals a golden cup from the dragon’s hoard, Smaug is furious and flies out of the mountain to burn Lake Town in his rage. Bard, a heroic archer, has learned the secret about Smaug’s weakness from a thrush, and he fires an arrow into the dragon’s heart, killing him. Before Smaug dies, however, he burns Lake Town to the ground.

The humans of Lake Town and the elves of Mirkwood march to the Lonely Mountain to seek a share of the treasure as compensation for their losses and aid, but Thorin greedily refuses, and the humans and elves besiege the mountain, trapping the dwarves and the hobbit inside. Bilbo sneaks out to join the humans in an attempt to bring peace. When Thorin learns what Bilbo has done, he is livid, but Gandalf suddenly reappears and saves Bilbo from the dwarf lord’s wrath.

At this moment, an army of goblins and Wargs marches on the mountain, and the humans, elves, and dwarves are forced to band together to defeat them. The goblins nearly win, but the arrival of Beorn and the eagles helps the good armies win the battle.

After the battle, Bilbo and Gandalf return to Hobbiton, where Bilbo continues to live. He is no longer accepted by respectable hobbit society, but he does not care. Bilbo now prefers to talk to elves and wizards, and he is deeply content to be back among the familiar comforts of home after his grand and harrowing adventures.

The Hobbit SparkNotes Literature Guide

Ace your assignments with our guide to The Hobbit !

Popular pages: The Hobbit

Character list characters, bilbo baggins characters, themes literary devices, heroism quotes, full book quick quizzes, take a study break.

QUIZ: Is This a Taylor Swift Lyric or a Quote by Edgar Allan Poe?

The 7 Most Embarrassing Proposals in Literature

The 6 Best and Worst TV Show Adaptations of Books

QUIZ: Which Greek God Are You?

Share full article

Two men smile while looking at each other. The man on the left is tossing a stick into the air. The other man is holding a stick aloft.

Sticks. And the People Who Love Them.

Those who appreciate “something as basic as a stick” are sharing their enthusiasm through a newly popular Instagram account.

Logan Jugler, left, and Boone Hogg showed off their latest finds in Ogden, Utah. Credit... Lindsay D'Addato for The New York Times

Supported by

By Steven Kurutz

April 2, 2024

Stick Nation was born last summer, during a hiking trip to Arches National Park in Utah.

Boone Hogg, Logan Jugler and some friends were cracking jokes as they trekked toward Delicate Arch . From their free-associative silliness came the notion of reviewing a stick as you might a sculpture or valuable antique.

Later, Mr. Hogg, 30, took out his phone and shot some video of Mr. Jugler, also 30, as he mused on the qualities of a stick he had picked up from the ground. It seemed to be more interesting than the sticks nearby — it had the approximate shape of a handgun, for one thing — and Mr. Jugler found that, to his surprise, he had plenty to say about it.

“It was really weathered and worn, and felt great in the hand,” Mr. Jugler recalled. “There was a nice trigger spot for your finger. I think I gave it a 7 out of 10.”

Two men sit side by side in a tree. They are both wearing sunglasses.

In any other era, the idea of weighing in on the aesthetic qualities of sticks might have been left behind in the wilderness like stray bits of gorp. Instead, Mr. Hogg and Mr. Jugler created Official Stick Reviews on Instagram.

The account, which bills itself as “the internet’s go-to for stick reviews,” quickly attracted 40,000 followers, many of whom offer commentary on the sticks under discussion. They also submit photos or videos of the specimens they have come across for possible review.

Mr. Hogg manages the social media accounts (there is also a TikTok ), while Mr. Jugler tends to the content. He was the one who came up with the idea for a Stick of the Month, which is typically selected by the two from users’ submissions. February’s winner , curved at one end, resembled something that a character in “The Hobbit” might carry as a walking staff.

Mr. Hogg, Mr. Jugler and their followers have come up with various metrics to judge a stick, including size, shape, color and texture. An especially large stick earned a mere 5 out of 10 rating because it “ may cross the line into log territory ,” one commenter said.

Like almost every online community, Stick Nation has had its debates. One mildly contentious discussion concerned how to judge the beauty of a natural stick (a “natty,” in the group’s parlance) against one that has been sawed-off or otherwise modified (or “modded”) by human hands. As a result, Official Stick Reviews has established separate categories for each.

Sticks are also run through a battery of pseudoscientific tests, some with fanciful names coined by the account’s creators. The McMurray Bend, for instance, provides a framework for “looking at the overall bend of stick,” Mr. Jugler said.

The Tennison Curve Scale is named after Kathleen Tennison, whom Mr. Hogg identified with a wink as “a scientific figure.” (“In my mind, Kathleen Tennison is real,” Mr. Jugler said.) The pair also award extra points to sticks that easily lend themselves to being spun like propellers.

What started as a wilderness jest has by now morphed into something slightly less tongue-in-cheek. The act of finding, handling and appreciating a good stick seems to speak to one’s inner 5-year-old.

“Sometimes it’s a bit, with people leaning into the internet-ness of it,” Mr. Hogg said. “But a lot of time it’s a sincere thing that people are connecting with. They’re appreciating something as basic as a stick.”

In the more than six months since they started Official Stick Reviews, Mr. Hogg, who works in marketing, and Mr. Jugler, a physician assistant, said they have been surprised to encounter so many hobbyists who are passionate about fallen bits of branch and the like. One commenter shared that he inherited his mother’s treasured stick after she died.

“We’ve facilitated this common ground that people have,” Mr. Hogg said. “Not to be too heady about it, because it’s just sticks.”

The two men regularly field questions from people who want to have a better sense of the guidelines for what makes a stick aesthetically pleasing.

“I don’t know that the rules are super coherent,” Mr. Jugler said. “We tell them, ‘The answer is in your heart and your soul.’”

The creators and followers of Official Stick Reviews are not alone in their appreciation of these humble pieces of wood. The artist Patrick Dougherty has had a long career thanks mainly to the sculptures he has fashioned out of saplings, sticks and twigs. And home décor websites are filled with tips on how to make attractive branches into adornments for the foyer or living room.

Mr. Hogg and Mr. Jugler have created T-shirts, bumper stickers and other Official Stick Reviews merchandise as they continue to develop lore around the concept of the stick aficionado. But they are making it up as they go along, just as they did on that hiking trip.

“Wherever the stick-heads in Stick Nation want to take it,” said Mr. Hogg, “we’ll go.”

Steven Kurutz covers cultural trends, social media and the world of design for The Times. More about Steven Kurutz

Explore Our Style Coverage

The latest in fashion, trends, love and more..

How ‘Carefluencers’ Got Big: On TikTok and Instagram, people are sharing what it’s like to take care of relatives who have reached their final years .

The Buzz on Boat Shoes: The category of footwear created when Franklin D. Roosevelt was president is being reinterpreted and rediscovered.

Are You a ‘Spring’ or a ‘Winter’?: Seasonal color analysis, a fad from the 1980s seeking to identify a person’s most flattering color palette, is drawing views and exasperation on TikTok.

Barbie, the Book: A bookstore event for the newly published “Barbie: The World Tour” brought out the die-hards.

Loving Sticks: Those who appreciate “ something as basic as a stick ” are sharing their enthusiasm through a newly popular Instagram account.

What Happened to the Wrap Dress?: A pandemic, the demise of “girlboss” culture and new values around what’s “flattering” have made the classic design seem outdated to some .

IMAGES

the hobbit essay rough draft
The Hobbit Essay Prompts: Greed, Growth, and the Hero's Journey
PPT
The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien Essay Example
The Hobbit Movie Review Essay Example
The Hobbit Essay

VIDEO

The Hobbit
LEGO Hobbit 5
Where The Hobbit Went Wrong
Week 2: Compare OR Contrast Essay
Video 2 English Essay 2024 The hobbit and Shrek
Video 1 English Essay 2024 The hobbit and Shrek

COMMENTS

The Hobbit: Sample A+ Essay: How The Hobbit Fits and Doesn't Fit Epic
Sample A+ Essay: How The Hobbit Fits and Doesn't Fit Epic Traditions. At first glance, The Hobbit, with its sweetly cantankerous hero and playful narrative style, does not seem to resemble grim, grand epics such as Beowulf or The Iliad. Epic poems feature glorious heroes and are narrated in an elevated style befitting the tale's sober importance.
A Summary and Analysis of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) The Hobbit is one of the biggest-selling books of all time. An estimated 100 million people have read Tolkien's classic children's novel since it was first published in 1937. The story of its origins, and Tolkien's supposed invention of the word 'hobbit' (of which more below), are well-known.
"The Hobbit" by Tolkien, Essay Example
The Hobbit book by J.R.R. Tolkien is set in Middle Earth and was first published in early 1937 (Tolkien 11). The book mainly illustrates and a comfort hobbit-hole that belongs to Bilbo Baggins, who is the main character in the story. The books also mainly deal with children literature and mostly involve a number of similarities as the Beowulf ...
The Hobbit Essays for College Students
971 words. Hobbit Expository Essay. The Hobbit Essay The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien is a book about a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins who was never adventurous. He went on a dangerous journey with the dwarves and he developed a lot as a hobbit as a result. He goes on a great journey and faces many challenges.
The Hobbit Critical Essays
Leaving his quiet, unchallenging home for the quest forces Bilbo to grow psychologically during his travels. One fundamental characteristic never changes: He remains good-hearted throughout the ...
The Hobbit Essays
The Hobbit. A mountain, dotted with fully bloomed flowers and orange-leaved trees in autumn, is left barren by the heavy snowfall endured during winter; however, when spring comes, the mountain is embellished with new flowers, its beauty greater than ever... The Hobbit essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily ...
The Hobbit Study Guide
The Hobbit essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. The Hobbit study guide contains a biography of J.R.R. Tolkien, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
The Hobbit Essays and Criticism
Essays and criticism on J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit - Essays and Criticism. Select an area of the website to search ... Source: Don Akers, in an essay for Novels for Students, Gale, 2000.
The Hobbit: Study Guide
The Hobbit by English author J. R. R. Tolkien, published in 1937, is a classic fantasy novel that introduces readers to the enchanting world of Middle-earth.The novel is a prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The story of The Hobbit follows the unassuming hobbit Bilbo Baggins, who is thrust into a grand adventure when he joins a group of dwarves led by the wizard Gandalf on a quest to ...
Essay Topics and Study Questions on The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The main thing he lacks is the ability to think of plans and execute them. Bilbo is the one who gets him through the difficulties that come at his way. 2. Bilbo seems to be completely happy in the hobbit community, but he is not entirely accepted there.
The Hobbit Summary
The Hobbit is the story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who lives in Hobbiton. He enjoys a peaceful and pastoral life but his life is interrupted by a surprise visit by the wizard Gandalf. Before Bilbo is really able to improve upon the situation, Gandalf has invited himself to tea and when he arrives, he comes with a company of dwarves led by Thorin.
The Hobbit Critical Evaluation
Critical Evaluation. Although it was written for J. R. R. Tolkien's children, when The Hobbit: Or, There and Back Again was published in 1937 by George Allen & Unwin, it immediately attracted an ...
The Hobbit Essay Topics
Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "The Hobbit" by J. R. R. Tolkien. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Essay Questions
2. Discuss Tolkien's use of song in The Hobbit. What purpose do they serve in the story? What do the songs reveal about the characters who sing them? 3. Discuss the attitude toward property and material wealth that emerges in The Hobbit. What are the pitfalls of possessiveness and materialism? 4.
The Hobbit : Expository Essay Samples
The Hobbit Essay Sample, Example. The Hobbit, written by J.R.R. Tolkien, is a children's fantasy novel (though the series The Lord of the Rings that followed its story was more tuned to adults) that was first published in 1937. When it was first released, it received critical acclaim from millions of readers, and it was eventually nominated ...
Bilbo Baggins
Bilbo might have entered the Battle of Five Armies and played the part as a warrior, but Bilbo denies conflict. He utilizes only the sword and ring to protect himself, that is when he saves his friends from the spiders. One of his characteristics as a hero is also his sharp and fast thinking. Later in the tale, Bilbo meets a skinny, slimy, dark ...
J.R.R. Tolkien the Hobbit Essay
Treatment of Race in the Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. The Hobbit is a novel about a complacent hobbit named Bilbo Baggins accompanying a group of thirteen dwarves - as their burglar - on a journey to regain the dwarves' treasure from the vast, beastly dragon, Smaug. Along the adventure, Bilbo starts becoming the brave adventurer he was meant to be.
Please i need a 5 paragraph essay for the hobbit
The Hobbit was written by JRR. Tolkien is a classic fantasy novel that tells the story of a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins and his adventures with a group of dwarves and a wizard named Gandalf. The novel is set in a fictional world created by Tolkien. Set in a certain Middle-earth, it is a prequel to The Lord of the Rings.
the Hobbit 5-Paragraph Essay Outline.doc
Name: Jonathan Buck 5-Paragraph Essay Outline An outline for Mr. Wellen's essays Introduction Paragraph: 1. Quote: "Good writers borrow, great writers steal" -T.S. Eliot 2. Opposition: Tolkien is one of the greatest writers of the 20 th century, and his work is still relevant today. It would logically follow that some aspects of his writing were "stolen" from other literature.
The Hobbit Chapters 5-8 Summary and Analysis
The Hobbit Summary and Analysis of Chapters 5-8. Chapter Five: Riddles in the Dark. Bilbo is alone and on all fours, groping along "till suddenly his hand met what felt like a tiny ring of cold metal lying on the floor of the tunnel. It was a turning point in his career, but he did not know it.
The Hobbit: Full Book Summary
The Hobbit Full Book Summary. Bilbo Baggins lives a quiet, peaceful life in his comfortable hole at Bag End. Bilbo lives in a hole because he is a hobbit—one of a race of small, plump people about half the size of humans, with furry toes and a great love of good food and drink. Bilbo is quite content at Bag End, near the bustling hobbit ...
Love Sticks? There's an Instagram for That.
An especially large stick earned a mere 5 out of 10 rating because it "may cross the line into log territory," one commenter said. Image Mr. Hogg found a good one.

A Summary and Analysis of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit

2 thoughts on “A Summary and Analysis of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

“The Hobbit” by Tolkien, Essay Example

Related Essay Samples & Examples

Utilitarianism and Its Applications, Essay Example

The Age-Related Changes of the Older Person, Essay Example

The Problems ESOL Teachers Face, Essay Example

Should English Be the Primary Language? Essay Example

The Term “Social Construction of Reality”, Essay Example

The Hobbit Essays

Reset Password

Something went wrong

J. R. R. Tolkien

Upgrade to PLUS and get instant access to all the study tools

The Hobbit SparkNotes Literature Guide

Take a Study Break

QUIZ: Is This a Taylor Swift Lyric or a Quote by Edgar Allan Poe?

The 7 Most Embarrassing Proposals in Literature

The 6 Best and Worst TV Show Adaptations of Books

QUIZ: Which Greek God Are You?

Suggested topics for essay

Study questions

About the author

Essay Topics

Related Titles

Featured Collections

J.R.R. Tolkien

Study Help Essay Questions

Most Popular

Why Congress Cares About Media Literacy and You Should Too

Who vs Whom

Comments (0)

Cancel reply

More from Expository Essay Examples and Samples

Why Is Of Mice And Men Banned

Pride and Prejudice Themes

Remote Collaboration and Evidence Based Care Essay Sample, Example

Forgotten Password?

Bilbo Baggins – a True Hero in The Hobbit

Works Cited:

Cite this Essay

Related Essays

Still can’t find what you need?

Related Essays on The Hobbit

Related Topics

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

J.R.R. Tolkien the Hobbit Essay

Essay on The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Treatment of Race in the Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Famous Author in Britain, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was Actually Born in South Africa

Why Is The Hobbit Controversial

The Hobbit's Impact On American Culture

Examples Of Proverbs In The Hobbit

Examples Of Archetypes In The Hobbit

The Hobbit Comparison

Popular Topics

by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit Questions and Answers

Study Guide for The Hobbit

Essays for The Hobbit

Lesson Plan for The Hobbit

Wikipedia Entries for The Hobbit

Reset Password

Something went wrong

J. R. R. Tolkien

The Hobbit Full Book Summary

The Hobbit SparkNotes Literature Guide

Popular pages: The Hobbit

QUIZ: Is This a Taylor Swift Lyric or a Quote by Edgar Allan Poe?

The 7 Most Embarrassing Proposals in Literature

The 6 Best and Worst TV Show Adaptations of Books

QUIZ: Which Greek God Are You?

Sticks. And the People Who Love Them.

Explore Our Style Coverage

IMAGES

VIDEO

COMMENTS