BILBO’S PROGRESSThemes in The Hobbit

Who was Bilbo Baggins at the start of the Hobbit?

timid comfortable complacent

When Gandalf talks him into going on the adventure with the dwarves what happens? Bilbo becomes so frightened that he

faints.

But what does Gandalf say about him?

“Let’s have no more argument. 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. You may (possibly) all live to thank me yet.” - Gandalf

Bilbo possesses hidden reserves of inner strength What are they?

Bilbo prevails in the face of danger and adversity, justifying Gandalf’s early claim that there is more to the little hobbit than meets the eye.

Students answer:

How did you do?

Confronting the trolls escaping with Gollum’s ring slaying the spider rescuing the dwarves in Mirkwood

As he builds confidence and resourcefulness, Bilbo emerges as a

true hero.

Major turning point for Bilbo-

. “Somehow the killing of this giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark . . . made a great difference to Mr. Baggins. He felt a different person, and much fiercer and bolder in spite of an empty stomach, as he wiped his sword on the grass and put it back into its sheath. ‘I will give you a name,’ he said to it, ‘and I shall call you Sting.’ ”

- Bilbo Baggins

Making of a hero

From this point forward, Bilbo shows that he is capable of taking the initiative and acting in the best interest of the group rather than his own self-interest, as his ability to ignore his hunger shows.

He upstages Thorin Oakenshield as a leader and establishes himself as a hero.

Making of a hero

Defeating a the spider gives Bilbo a taste of the confidence that he has not previously enjoyed, making him feel

“much fiercer and bolder in spite of an empty stomach.”

The differences among Tolkien’s imaginary races are a major focus of the novel, particularly in its second half.

Elves Dwarves Trolls Goblins

How are the characters different from one another physically, psychologically, and morally?

All goblins are evil All elves are goodTrolls are stupidWizards are crafty

Difference in races

The good races are portrayed as being in harmony with nature

While the evil races are depicted as being at odds with nature

Examples: The eagles’ decision to help the

dwarvesagainst the goblins.

Beorn joining forces with the dwarves

Looking forward

Notice ways in the upcoming chapters of how

Bilbo Baggins becomes a hero (leader)

Look for differences in the races of the characters that we will be meeting.