Imagine reading Harry Potter without Lord Voldemort. What if the Hunger Games didn’t have The Capitol? Without those characters, I’m sure my world would have been in pieces, but why are these villains, also known as shadows, necessary? In The Hobbit, the shadows are significant because they test the hero, they make the story more appealing, and they are used to relay the theme of the story. No matter what, this essential archetype is found in almost any book you read and it is definitely the hidden reason why we all read books.
In the Hobbit, if Bilbo wasn’t tested by the shadows, we would never see any of his flaws or hidden strengths. For example, when Bilbo was forced to face Gollum, I found out that he was very witty and skilled at getting out of tight situations. Additionally, when shadows test the hero, they give the hero and opportunity to grow. Namely, when Bilbo was faced with Gollum and escaped, bravely, by
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The Hobbit uses shadows many times to convey various themes or messages of the story. For example, The Hobbit used Gollum to demonstrate the theme of greed. Tolkien portrayed Gollum as a very lonely monster who had been possessed by greed. He had an overwhelming desire for the ring and he was willing to do anything, even kill, for it. "But now the light in Gollum’s eyes had become a green fire, and it was coming swiftly nearer. Gollum was in his boat again, paddling wildly back to the dark shore; and such a rage of loss and suspicion was in his heart that no sword had any more terror for him." (Tolkien 82). This quote shows how Gollum's character changed when he realized the ring was missing. He had so much greed for the ring that he was so angry when he couldn't find it. Gollum ate things that innocently wandered into his cave and J.R.R Tolkien wanted this “pitiful excuse of a creature” to teach a lesson on what happens if you are
For example in one of the paragraphs it states, “Then the hobbit slipped on his ring, and warned by the echoes to take more than hobbits care to make no sound.” This shows how Bilbo uses the ring to his advantage so the dragon doesn't see him. Another time he uses the ring is when he makes an offer to the dwarves that he will go back down to check if the dragon was still asleep, “Now I will make you an offer. I have got my ring and I will creep down this very noon—then if ever Smaug ought to be napping—and see what he is up to.”
Back then perspectives were very different, so the response to J.R.R. Tolkien’s book back then would have been very different in comparison to it were to be released tomorrow. If The Hobbit was released today, written the exact same way, it would get a lot more hate and judgement to have whole races categorized as the bad guys. Tolkien’s book does not include enough diversity in personalities within any race to get by in today’s sensitive and judgemental society. Another controversial segment in the book was the physical and mental separation between all the different creatures. The typical creature in the book would live with their race days away from any other races, isolated to their own kind.
Riddles are a major component in The Hobbit. Gollum and Bilbo have their riddle contest and because Bilbo wins, he escapes from Gollum's lake alive. This is probably a good thing since the dwarves would've died many times without him. The riddle of the moon-letters hinders the plot a little, but it adds a sense of mystery to the story. When Bilbo came upon the mountain and visited Smaug, he introduced himself in riddles so that Smaug would not know who he was.
Gollum becomes very upset that he does not have his magical ring: “Lost it is my precious lost lost, curse us and crush us my precious is lost” (76). Realizing that Bilbo has the ring gollum immediately tries to kill bilbo for his “birthday present”. Gollum is in a panic after Bilbo runs away from Gollum with the ring: “Yes bit if its got the present then goblinses will get it” (77). Gollum needed that ring to function. He had used it so much that he doesn’t know what to do without it.
In the story there are also smaller conflicts like the spiders who attacked Bilbo. Conflict plays a big role in The hero's journey, conflicts vary in number and importance, they're what keeps the reader on edge. Gollum is a stoorish Hobbit that meets Bilbo when Bilbo gets lost in the mountain. When Gollum sees the ring Bilbo found he threatens to take it from him.
Many authors such as, J.R.R Tolkien, use their writing to get entertain, inform, or persuade. While writing the author may put their own opinions in a book or novel. By including a character with certain traits they believe to be viewed in a positive light or they may include a character that has traits they view in a negative light. Tolkien also shows two sides he feels may be needed for a journey like this,physical strength and intelligence. Intelligence is more important and Tolkien shows what he feels is positive through Bilbo the main character and negative through Bilbo’s enemies.
Family and race are two huge themes in The Hobbit. They define each character and differentiate the races tremendously. I think the only race strongly affected by their family history are the hobbits. This is a big theme that I think the author shows very well in this
As I aforementioned before Bilbo makes a colossal transformation. Bilbo and the narrator notices that he doesn’t mind what used to bother him he says “I am sorry to say he did not mind. He was quite content; and the sound of the kettle on his hearth was ever more musical than it had been even in the quiet days before the Unexpected Party”(Tolkien 302). Bilbo isn’t aggravated by any little thing anymore since he got out of his comfort zone he’s more relaxed. To continue on this point Gandalf also takes consideration that Bilbo has made a colossal transformation Gandalf says “My dear Bilbo!
At the beginning of the story, Bilbo seems very cowardly, but soon proves that he is indeed brave. Bilbo is very tied up in his very boring, monotonous life and he really does not want to go on the adventure that he is
In The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien uses symbolism throughout the story to show how Bilbo went from cowardice to courageous. Hobbits are known to be unadventurous, bucolic, and somewhat shy. In the beginning of the adventure/quest, Bilbo wants to go home and doesn't want to be a burglar. But when Gandalf leaves Bilbo and the dwarves, he slowly starts to step out of his comfort zone. The symbols that represent Bilbo’s change include Bilbo’s home, the ring, and his sword.
Many heroes are brutal in order to show their manliness or strength. Bilbo was strong because of his good heart and mind. He showed his kindness through his generosity, his level head, and his loyalty. Many would believe Bilbo agreed to the quest because of the treasure he knew he would receive. He did indeed earn the treasure, but out of the goodness of his heart, Bilbo heroically gave up all of it and shared with the people in need (44).
Even though the theme Freedom of Speech relates strongly to adults and children, the theme Beauty of Darkness, also successfully applies to humanity of all ages as well. Darkness is assumed as evil opposite of light. However, in the novel the main character, Haroun, always thinks that dark is evil. When Haroun encounters the Shadow Warrior, he discovers the beauty of the Shadow Warrior swordsmanship, as it states: " And his athleticism and swordsmanship were beyond anything Haroun had ever seen. No matter what tricks his shadow played, the warrior was its equal. …
Tolkien’s highly intricate imagery of malignance makes apparent the uncertainty encircling the company and sets the frightful mood over which Bilbo’s courage must prevail. His ominous description of Mirkwood Forest explains the hesitation in the company to pass onto the realm where “The entrance to the path was like a sort of arch leading into a gloomy tunnel”(153). The imagery evoked by “Trees … too old and strangled with ivy… to bear more than a few blackened leaves” (153) places the reader in the foreboding atmosphere in which the company is presently ensnarled, and effectively forewarns of sorcery, monsters and misery at play. Days into the forest, constant hunger gnaws at the company, leading them to disperse round and round in an entranced dream-like state. Then, somewhere in the pitch-dark night, Bilbo strikes dead a most nefarious enemy.
When Bilbo finds the ring it changes him forever, for he is able to do things he would have never done before or even dream of doing. When Bilbo faces tough situations the ring always gets him by, and after he has come out the victor, he feels accomplished and more confident of his skills. After going through this process countless times his skills in battle and intelligence increase, as well as his self esteem and respect. The ring in this specific book symbolizes change. Bilbo’s change from a hesitant, powerless hobbit to a confident human being capable of most anything.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy is yet another story of the battle between good and evil, however, it is the author who decides who is good, who is evil, therefore it is him who, purposefully or not, creates allusions and allegories to the real world in which he lives. After reading all three books of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, one obvious conclusion can be drawn, namely that white, bright colors represent good people, while black, dark colors represent evil ones. Moreover, the behavior and features of characters in the story are predetermined by their race. The language also plays an important role in the way Tolkien differentiates people of the Middle-earth.