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Essay On Symbolism In The Hobbit

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“...[Bilbo] crawled along for a good way, till suddenly his hand met what felt like a tiny ring of cold metal lying on the floor of the tunnel” (Tolkien 68). Tolkien uses many examples of signs and symbols within the use of the Hero’s Journey. The Hero’s Journey is a structure of events by Joseph Campbell that is used in myths, storytelling, and drama. In The Hobbit, by J.R.R Tolkien, signs and symbols, for example, the ring, give meaning behind the obstacles that Bilbo Baggins overcomes and the obstacles we overcome in life.
The Hobbit, by J.R.R Tolkien, is a story about the adventure of Bilbo Baggins helping a group of dwarves regain their treasure from the dreadful dragon Smaug and take back the Lonely Mountain. Throughout the story, the travelers encounter many dangers that halt …show more content…

As stated earlier, the ring that Bilbo possesses has a unique symbolic meaning, along with Bilbo’s sword Sting. Symbols in the Hero’s Journey have a greater meaning because it can do special things for and to the hero throughout the journey. Tolkien shows this especially in the main character, Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit. Bilbo had been a hero to himself and in troubled times with the dwarves. He went out of his comfort zone and found a new personality in himself that was not like a typical hobbit, “shy… disappear quietly and quickly…” (Tolkien 2). Bilbo felt bolder and more confident in himself mainly because he had an invisible ring. Not having possession of the ring would have changed the story drastically because Bilbo would not have escaped so many situations unseen. Tolkien uses symbols in his books to give meaning to the story and provide inspiration to the reader. According to Modern Fantasy Writers, symbolism describes the author, Tolkien, and the creativity of his writing (1). Overall, if Tolkien had not used symbols in The Hobbit, the book wouldn’t have been as appealing to the

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