The Development of the Character of Bilbo Baggins
As children develop into adults, certain events and time periods stand out as the reason for important changes in their character. J.R.R. Tolkien portrayed the main character of The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, as a child on his trip into adulthood. Throughout The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, the protagonist, changes from a childlike hobbit to a fully matured hero. J.R.R. Tolkien divides the change in Bilbo's character into the three major part of the book, prior to the quest, during the quest, and after the quest.
Prior to the quest, Bilbo Baggins was a conservative, respectable and stubborn hobbit who lead a rich and comfortable life (Stephanie web). These characteristics, as well as safety and a dull existence, are typical of the Baggins Family. Bilbo's father, Bungo Baggins, came from an unadventurous family that was, apart from their wealth, similar to most families in the Shire. Bilbo's mother, Belladona Took, came from a family that was very different from the Baggins Family. J.R.R. Tolkien describes the Took family as "not entirely hobbitlike," and "not as respectable as the Baggineses, though they were undoubtedly richer." The unhobbitlike tendency of the Took-clan to go on adventures however, was "something that only waited for a chance to come out." This opportunity arose during the fiftieth year of Bilbo's life when he first met Gandalf (Tolkien 3). Tolkien hints a change in Bilbo's character during the conversation between Gandalf and the dwarves in which they express their uncertainty about Bilbo's competence at being a successful burglar. Gandalf states: "There is a lot more than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself," meaning that he sees more potential in Bilbo than the hobbit sees in himself. He also hints this change while talking about the Bagginses in his statement "This is the story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected," in which he confirms the evolution of
Prior to the quest, Bilbo Baggins was a conservative, respectable and stubborn hobbit who lead a rich and comfortable life (Stephanie web). These characteristics, as well as safety and a dull existence, are typical of the Baggins Family. Bilbo's father, Bungo Baggins, came from an unadventurous family that was, apart from their wealth, similar to most families in the Shire. Bilbo's mother, Belladona Took, came from a family that was very different from the Baggins Family. J.R.R. Tolkien describes the Took family as "not entirely hobbitlike," and "not as respectable as the Baggineses, though they were undoubtedly richer." The unhobbitlike tendency of the Took-clan to go on adventures however, was "something that only waited for a chance to come out." This opportunity arose during the fiftieth year of Bilbo's life when he first met Gandalf (Tolkien 3). Tolkien hints a change in Bilbo's character during the conversation between Gandalf and the dwarves in which they express their uncertainty about Bilbo's competence at being a successful burglar. Gandalf states: "There is a lot more than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself," meaning that he sees more potential in Bilbo than the hobbit sees in himself. He also hints this change while talking about the Bagginses in his statement "This is the story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected," in which he confirms the evolution of
Cited: Bauer, Hannspeter. The Hobbit. 20 March, 2003 Mathews, Dorothy. "The Psychological Journey of Bilbo Baggins" A Tolkien Compass. Ed. Jared Lobdell. La Salles, Illinois: Open Court Publishing co., 1975. 29-42 O 'Neill, Timothy. "The Individuated Hobbit." J.R.R. Tolkien. Ed. Harold Bloom. Philadelphia, PA: Chelsea House Publishers, 2000. 83-92 Stephanie. The Hobbit. 20 June, 2002. Networked Writing Environment. 20 March, 2003. "The Hobbit: or There and Back Again." Beasham 's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction. Vol. 4, 1996 Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit: or There and Back Again. New York: Ballantine Books, 1982