Independent Thesis Paper

One

Alfred North Whitehead once stated "It is in literature that the concrete outlook of
humanity receives its expression." This quote means that in literature the paths that individuals
choose to follow are explored. These choices combined as a whole decide the direction of
humanity will move in. Sometimes even the smallest of people can make a difference and as a
result alter the course of history. An example of this is the actions done by Bilbo Baggins in
J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Hobbit.

J.R.R. Tolkein’s character Bilbo Baggins is a remarkably complex personality. Bilbo
Baggins is a typical hobbit. Hobbits are little people, with curly hair on their heads and hair on
their feet. Most hobbits prefer to live comfortably in their huts and are generally not adventurous,
with the exception of the Took family. Bilbo is introduced as a content and even simple hobbit
and grows throughout the novel as a result of participating in a number of dangerous adventures.
The wizard Gandalf enlists Bilbo to join a group of thirteen dwarves, as a burglar, looking to find
their heirloom of treasure. The dwarves doubt Bilbo’s usefulness upon meeting him and they only
accept him because of Gandalf’s insistence that the hobbit is more than what he seems.
"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 himself," (Tolkein 19).
This quote shows the influence that Gandalf has over the dwarves and hobbit. After Gandalf
states this the dwarves grudgingly accept Bilbo as a part of their quest. It also shows the
confidence the wizard has in Bilbo. This quote also implies that Bilbo will play a major role later
in the novel. Gandalf clearly states that Bilbo is much more than what he seems. Gandalf’s
statement strongly supports the idea of even the smallest people can make a difference, literally
because of Bilbo’s size, and figuratively because of the confidence in Bilbo shown by the dwarves.
The dwarves then offer then Bilbo a share of the treasure if he decides to join them on their
adventure. Bilbo is unsure of what to do because of his ancestry.

Bilbo is half Baggins and half Took. Generally the Baggins side of him ruled, but the
Took side was waiting for an opportunity to come out. This opportunity came when Gandalf and
the dwarves came knocking on Bilbo’s door. The dwarves’s offer to join their adventure weighs
heavily on Bilbo’s mind and he struggles to make a decision. After listening to the dwarves sing a
variety of songs about dragons and treasure the Took side of Bilbo prevails and he decides to join
the dwarves on their adventure.

Throughout the novel and a series of adventures Bilbo grows in terms of his character.
His first test comes when the group encounters several trolls. Bilbo scouts the area and attempts
to pickpocket from one of the trolls. This attempt ends in disaster as the dwarves and hobbits are
captured. Gandalf comes and rescues them and the trolls are turned to stone by the sunlight. The
dwarves’s opinion of Bilbo does not change. As the group travels through the Misty Mountains
they escape a storm and take refuge in an abandoned cave. The cave turns out to be home to the
goblins. The group fights and tries to escape from the goblins. During the escape Bilbo is
accidentally left behind. The dwarves and wizard escape unharmed. Bilbo wanders the cave
alone and becomes lost. Trying to find a way out Bilbo encounters the creature Gollum, who
lives on an island under the cave. Bilbo’s character develops as he enters a game of riddles with
Gollum, if Bilbo wins Gollum will show him the way out of the cave and if he loses Gollum will
be free to eat him. Bilbo shows his wit by creating and answering increasingly complex riddles.
Bilbo then finds a magic ring, a ring of power. It is then discovered that the ring belongs to
Gollum and is known as his "precious." Bilbo wins the game of riddles and learns that when he
wears the ring it makes him invisible. Gollum is furious about losing his ring and believes that
Bilbo cheated, then refuses to help him out of the cave. Bilbo escapes by using the ring and
following Gollum, who unintentionally shows him the way out.

When Bilbo returns his status with the dwarves is greatly improved. He speaks of his
encounter with Gollum and his desperate escape from the goblins. However he doesn’t mention
the ring. The dwarves now view Bilbo with more respect. Later in the novel the group travels
through the enchanted Mirkwood forest. In the dark the group is separated and captured by giant
spiders. Bilbo cuts himself free and kills the spider. He then decides to name his sword, Sting.
"Somehow the killing of the giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark without the help of the
wizard or the dwarves or of anyone else, made a great difference to Mr. Baggins," (Tolkein 155).
This shows how Bilbo has grown through his actions. While earlier he depended on others for
protection he now is able to protect himself. Bilbo then puts on the ring and goes in search of the
dwarves. He finds that they are all captured and guarded by the giant spiders. He then lures the
spiders away by throwing rocks and singing derogatory songs about the spiders. He then sneaks
back and frees his friends. They are outnumbered by spiders and are only spared because of the
fact that they have wandered into the elves territory.

The head of the dwarves, Gloin has been captured and soon after the remainder of the
dwarves are also taken prisoner. Bilbo is invisible with the ring and avoids being captured. He
then devises a plan to free the dwarves. Bilbo releases the dwarves from their cells and they
escape down the river. After freeing his friends from the spiders and the elves Bilbo has gained
respect and trust from the dwarves. They now value his opinion and ideas. Bilbo also has grown
more confident in himself and abilities.

After much hardship the dwarves have crossed the mountains and arrived in the territory
of the dragon Smaug. Bilbo also discovers the secret entrance to Smaug’s lair. As the official
burglar Bilbo then sneaks into the mountain and finds Smaug with a mountainous pile of treasure.
Bilbo then steals a single golden cup and returns to the dwarves. Smaug is enraged and goes on a
rampage destroying everything in his path. Bilbo returns the following night only to discover the
dragon waiting for him. Similar to his encounter with Gollum, Bilbo speaks to Smaug in riddles.
In this manner Bilbo discovers the dragon’s single weakness, he is unarmed on his stomach near
his left foreleg. Through flattery, Smaug willing shows Bilbo his weakness. The conversation
between Bilbo and Smaug shows Bilbo’s intelligence and his growth. It also shows him simple
minded Smaug is.

The next day the group descends the mountain and discovers that Smaug is not there.
They then raid the treasure. Bilbo takes a magnificent gem, the Arkenstone as his share of the
treasure. He later learns that this is what the dwarves desire most. Bilbo knows at some point he
must inform the dwarves of his action. Meanwhile Smaug is wreaking destruction among the
nearby towns. Smaug is then shot and killed by a human Bard. Following the dragon’s death the
humans and elves remember the treasure Smaug was guarding. They then march to the mountain
to claim their share of treasure. The humans and elves are willing to go to war with the dwarves
over the treasure. Trying to avoid war Bilbo sneaks into the camp of the humans and elves to
make a proposition. He offers the Arkenstone to be used to help bargain with the dwarves. They
accept but ask Bilbo to explain his actions. He responds "I may be a burglar - or so they say:
personally I never really felt like one - but I am an honest one, I hope, more or less," (Tolkein
271). This adds another level to Bilbo’s character. It shows how he really feels and that he is
willing to risk everything to avoid war. Bilbo also adds that he will accept the consequences of
his actions and is okay with whatever the dwarves choose to do with him. Gandalf appears and
praises Bilbo for his bravery and decisions.
Negotiations later begin between the humans, elves and dwarves. When the humans show
the Arkenstone the dwarves fly into a rage and turn on Bilbo. Using his wit Bilbo states that he
took the stone as his share of treasure, as stated in their earlier contract. The dwarves are forced
to accept. Still furious the dwarves declare war on the humans and elves, over the stone.
However the goblins are advancing in war and force the dwarves, humans and elves to unite.
The Hobbit has many themes but some are more prominent than others. One of the most
important is that of individual growth. Bilbo Baggins is a perfect example. In the beginning of
the novel, Bilbo is a simple, laid back hobbit and then as the novel advances Bilbo grows into a
brave, self-sufficient and adventurous hobbit. Although he never grows in terms of size Bilbo is a
new character at the end of the novel. However he settles back into his home and previous
lifestyle as if nothing ever happened, only more intelligent and self assured. He is not bothered by
the fact that the other hobbits do not believe any of his tales and find him strange. Bilbo has
gained valuable friends, who occasionally come to visit.

Another prominent theme is the conflict between good and evil. Throughout the novel the
forces of good and evil are in conflict. The dwarves, hobbit and wizard battle dwarves and
goblins. Later they battle wolves and wargs and are rescued by the eagles. Bilbo battles spiders
to rescue his dwarven friends. Finally the humans, dwarves, elves, wizard and eagles battle the
combined evil forces of the goblins and wargs in the Battle of Five Armies.

The forces of good and evil are symbolized in several different ways. The eagles
symbolize good, as they always arrive to save the heroes. First from the wolves and wargs and
later in the Battle of Five Armies. The eagles then offer to help the heroes and fly them to the
edge of the enchanted Mirkwood forest. Evil is symbolized with the goblins, spiders and wargs.
Bilbo symbolizes hope and innocence. Bilbo faces challenges that any other hobbit would have
backed away from but never once thinks of quitting. Bilbo never gives up hope and always
continues on.

The Hobbit makes a strong case for the human spirit and its resilience. Depending on the
strength of the individual the human spirit can either survive or be broken as a result of facing
challenges. Bilbo and the dwarves demonstrate how the human spirit is not easily broken.
Although they experience many hardships they never give up or turn away from a challenge. If
anything, the characters in the hobbit are strengthened by their journey rather than being
disheartened. They experience a personal growth, especially Bilbo. The Hobbit supports the idea
that the human spirit is exceptionally strong and helps a person grow in terms of character.

J.R.R. Tolkein’s character Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit is a perfect example of how a
single individual can affect the course of history, regardless of size. Throughout history there
have been countless individuals who have altered the course of history. A perfect example is
Adolf Hitler. Adolf Hitler was a disturbed individual who made a profound impact in history. He
was a mastermind in presenting his ideas and maintaining loyalty. Hitler can be labeled as evil for
his actions. It is amazing to think that one individual was responsible for the death of millions of
people. Hitler is one of the most well-known individuals in history for his actions. While Hitler
made a negative effect on the history of mankind and Bilbo Baggins made a positive impact on the
history of Middle Earth, both individuals are examples of how one individual can affect the course
of history.

The Hobbit is a very influential novel. It touches on topics such as self-worth, friendship,
trust and responsibility. Athough the novel takes place in a fictional world it can be applied to life
today. For example Bilbo Baggins working to prove his worth in the eyes of the dwarves. As a
result of going on a long, dangerous journey Bilbo undergoes a personal growth and is virtually a
new hobbit. Bilbo also works to be trusted and as a result gains a group of new friends. The
Hobbit is a classic and probably will always be. Most importantly the novel supports the idea of
individual importance and the profound impact that one can have in history.

Tolkein, J.R.R. The Hobbit. New York: Ballantine Books, 1966