The Hobbit Review

Alexandria Coates
4th Period
Honors English 10
September 25, 2012
Adventures of a Hobbit: Understanding how and why Bilbo changes throughout The Hobbit.

In The Hobbit Bilbo Baggins goes on many adventures and learns many new things. Bilbo fights Trolls, Goblins, Wargs, dragons, and a creature named Gollum. In J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit Bilbo has to learn how to figure a way out of challenges, Bilbo goes through many hardships in order for him to transform into a hero, how desirable journeying is to Bilbo and the Dwarves and Bilbo changes from the beginning of the book to the end of the book, Bilbo is tested because of Gandalf’s belief in Bilbo being the Burglar.
Bilbo has to learn how to figure a way out of challenges. Bilbo’s first challenge is to fight a troll and steal their treasure. Bilbo’s failure to sneak and get treasure and start a fight proves Bilbo is weak and needs Gandalf’s leadership. Bilbo’s second challenge is the goblins and stone giants. Bilbo learns the lesson of journeying and starts to learn leadership. Bilbo’s third challenge is Gollum. Bilbo gains knowledge of the ring, pity, pure terror, greed and how to make wise decisions. Bilbo’s fourth challenge is Mirkwood and the Wood Elves. Bilbo learns to man up, take leadership, and make decisions for the group and cooperation. Bilbo’s fifth challenge is Lonely Mountain and Smaug. Bilbo learns about pure evil and treachery. Bilbo’s last challenge is the Battle of Five Armies. Bilbo has to make a decision that he thinks will bring peace and also he gains respect from all those who didn’t believe in him “There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West.”(J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit). All of these challenges transform Bilbo into a hero. Bilbo goes through many hardships in order for him to transform into a hero. Bilbo starts off not believing that he is not meant for this job “Sorry! I don’t want any adventures, thank you. Not today.” (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit). Bilbo goes through many perils, tests and challenges in order to transform into a true hero. Bilbo is forced into situations he wishes to avoid, an example would be trying to steal form the trolls. With each challenge, test or peril Bilbo goes through he learns something new that helps him believe in himself and lead others. After the journey is over he transforms into a hero that is respected by all. During his transformation Bilbo learns how desirable journeying really is. Bilbo realizes how desirable journeying is for him and the dwarves. Bilbo first starts to let his mind wonder about journeying when the Dwarves sing their song about smog and lonely mountain. As the story progresses challenges and complains force Bilbo into a true adventure, which he does not like. Bilbo complains all throughout the journal but he truly enjoys the thrill of the journey. Bilbo reflects on his way back to the Shire the book states “At each point on the road Bilbo recalled the happenings and the words of years ago…” (J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit). Bilbo’s changes throughout the book help him understand journeying. Bilbo changes from the beginning of the book to the end of the book. Bilbo at the beginning of the book is a wimp who never wants to leave his hobbit-hole “People considered Baggins very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected.” (J.R.R Tolkien, The Hobbit). As the story progresses he is forced into “manning up” and taking leadership. Bilbo needs help at first but he slowly gets the hang of leading and no longer needs guidance from Gandalf. Bilbo’s choices for the group are mostly wise and logical solutions. As his leadership grows the Dwarves rely on Bilbo more. Bilbo grew because of his many tests as Gandalf’s choses Burglar. Bilbo is tested because of Gandalf’s belief in Bilbo being a Burglar. Bilbo is tested by Dwarves, Elves, Trolls, Goblins, Dragons, armies and treasures. Bilbo’s tested by all things in order to prove that anyone can be a hero. Bilbo tries proving himself to the dwarves by stealing from Tolls, Goblins and Dragons to gain their trust and belief that he is the right person to be their Burglar. Bilbo eventually convinces the Dwarves he is a valuable asset to the team and he can do anything they ask of him. Gandalf, before the Battle of Five Armies, tells Bilbo he has transformed into the Burglar that Gandalf knew Bilbo would become “Well done! Mr. Baggins! There is always more about you than anyone expects.”(J.R.R Tolkien, The Hobbit).
In J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit Bilbo has to learn how to figure a way out of challenges. There are many challenges and adventures Bilbo must accomplish to become a leader of his people. He becomes a valuable hero to his fellow hobbits and becomes a great leader of the dwarfs. All this happens because of Gandalf’s belief in Bilbo to become a leader.