Bilbo’s Lifetime Quest In The Hobbit By J.r.r. Tolkien
Have you ever wanted to do something that is way out of your comfort zone and sounds a little dangerous? The Hobbit is a perfect example of what you are looking for. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, is about a tiny individual named Bilbo Baggins who is half the size of a regular human. This novel took place around 2941 in a fantasyland called Middle Earth. Throughout this book, Bilbo is known as a hobbit. Bilbo lived in a hole in Hobbiton like most hobbits do, following the same daily schedule. He had two different parents, his father was a normal hobbit while his mother was a Took - hobbits that loved adventure and mystery. He only liked to do things that are within his comfort zone, nothing extravagant or crazy. Bilbo comes across a certain situation that pops his comfort bubble. He has to choose to stay in Hobbiton and continue with his normal hobbit lifestyle or go on an incredible, once in a lifetime quest that will be full of adventure.
The call is defined as, “Life in some ‘City of Destruction” has become oppressive and intolerable, and the hero recognizes he can only rectify matters by making a long, difficult journey. He is given supernatural direction as to the distant, life-renewing goal he must aim for”. Bilbo Baggins crosses paths with his friend Wizard Gandalf, who is about to go off on a quest with thirteen dwarves to save their home from destruction. Gandalf calls Bilbo to be the burglar in his plan with the dwarves, “I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging and it’s very difficult to find anyone” (Tolkien 6). Gandalf leaves a small mark on Bilbo’s green door so that the dwarves will know where they are supposed to meet. Bilbo is not very happy with all of his unexpected guests in his house and is a little overwhelmed with all of the crowded people. As all of the dwarves gather around the dinner table, Gandalf starts talking about his plan and that Bilbo needs to join them in an adventurous journey to retrieve their treasure from the dragon Smaug. Bilbo is not comfortable with Gandalf’s request, but he was just trying to be nice and polite like most hobbits are. The Wizard believes that Bilbo has the potential that the dwarves can’t see, “You asked me to find the fourteenth man for your expedition, and I chose Mr. Baggins. Just let anyone say I chose the wrong man or the wrong house, and you can stop at thirteen and have all the bad luck you like or go back to digging coal” (Tolkien 19). The Wizard continues to tell him about the treasure and that he is the right person for the job. The Tookishness inside of Bilbo agreed to the Wizard’s request.
The journey is defined as “The hero and his companions set out across hostile terrain, encountering a series of life-threatening ordeals. These include horrific monsters, temptations, and perils. The ordeals each end with a thrilling escape and alternate with periods of respite when the hero and his companions receive help, hospitality or advice, often from wise old men or beautiful young women”. Along the journey that Bilbo takes with the thirteen dwarves and Gandalf, there are a lot of challenges. They find goblins and trolls, ugly and violent creatures who try to either eat them or destroy them. “They seized Bilbo and the dwarves and hurried them along. It was deep, deep, dark, such as only goblins that have taken to living in the heart of the mountains can see through” (Tolkien 57). Either way, they all tried to end Bilbo’s journey, but never succeed. They also get taken by the giant spider and Bilbo has to save everyone. He distracts the spider long enough to cut the dwarves out of the web with his sword, “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” (Tolkien 144). There were many bumps along the road of adventure for the dwarves and hobbit, but Bilbo always finds a way to keep up with the dwarves. Finally, Bilbo feels apart of the team and that he belongs.
The Arrival and Frustration are defined as “The hero arrives within sight of his goal. But he is far from having reached the end of his story, because now, on the edge of his goal, he sees a new and terrible series of obstacles looming up between him and his prize, which have to be overcome before it can be fully and completely secured”. Bilbo and the dwarves arrive at the mountain where the gold is, but they are frustrated because Smaug is there asleep. The dwarves used to live on the Lonely Mountain before Smaug took it over and called the gold his. Smaug is familiar with everyone sent, but not the hobbits, “Now is the time for our esteemed Mr. Baggins, who has proved himself a good companion on our long road, and a hobbit full of courage and resource far exceeding his size” (Tolkien 195). The dwarves have respect for Bilbo and wish him good luck his tough role in the plan. Bilbo has to sneak around Smaug without waking him so that he can retrieve a cup for the dwarves. Smaug is one of the most ruthless and evil fire-breathing dragons. “My armor is like tenfold shields, my teeth are swords, my claws spears, the shock of my tail a thunderbolt, my wings a hurricane, and my breath death!” (Tolkien 207). Smaug wakes up and follows Bilbo outside of his den.
The Final Ordeal is defined as “The hero has to undergo the last series of tests (often 3) to prove that he is truly worthy of the prize. This culminates in a last great battle or ordeal which may be the most threatening of all” (Booker 83). At this point, Bilbo and the dwarves have to hide from Smaug and hope that he doesn’t kill them. Bilbo sneaks away from Smaug’s den with the cup, and Smaug is furious about it. He finally leaves the mountain looking for the dwarves, but couldn’t find them. Smaug then finds Bilbo starts talking to him about how great and powerful he is and that Bilbo is a fool who is about to die, “I kill where I wish and none dare resist” (Tolkien 207). As Smaug is speaking to Bilbo about how great he is, Bilbo catches a weak spot about Smaug. “Dragons were softer underneath, especially the region of the-er-chest…, said Bilbo. “Your information is antiquated,” Smaug snapped” (Tolkien 208). This makes Smaug angry and he flies around Lake Town so that he can destroy it. The hobbit and the dwarves leave the mountain so that they will not burn with the Town.
The Goal is defined as “After a last thrilling escape from death, the kingdom is won with an assurance of renewed life stretching indefinitely into the future”. The goal of this journey was to return the dwarves’ home to take back there gold and to get rid of Smaug. Along this process, an archer named Bard shoots an arrow into the dragon’s weak spot and is killed. By now everyone has heard about Smaug’s death and they start going to his den so that they could have some of his treasure. This started a war with humans, elves, and dwarves against the goblins called the Battle of the Five Armies, “It was a terrible battle. The most dreadful of all of Bilbo’s experiences, and the one which at the time he hated most, which is to say it was the one he was most proud of” (Tolkien 257). The goblins almost destroy them, but the Five Armies end up winning the battle. Bilbo was proud of himself that they defeat the goblins and he returns home to Hobbiton, “But our backs is to legends and we are coming home” (Tolkien 272). Bilbo does not fit the normal hobbit standards anymore, but he doesn’t seem to be bothered by it. He welcomes his new self and doesn’t care if he is accepted by others or not.
The message of the Hobbit applies to everyone. We all have obstacles and challenges in life, but it is our choice to overcome them and achieve any goal. Through all five stages of “The Quest” Bilbo Baggins is an example we should all follow. He was an ordinary hobbit that did the same thing every day, never straying away from his normal. His adventurous side came out with the help of Gandalf and he experienced a journey of a lifetime that changed him for the better. He overcame many life-threatening challenges and was glad that he went on his journey. What everyone should learn from Bilbo is to take a leap of faith and to try new things because you never know what you are missing out on. In our Christian walk with Christ, we are supposed to take a leap of faith that God will always be with us on our journey because with Him by our side, we can overcome anything.
