This blog is about J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”. My first impression of this book is that it is about a man named Bilbo Baggins who joins an adventure with dwarves to reclaim their home and treasure from the dragon Smaug.
The class discussion was about heroism and the power of language. Bilbo is the protagonist of the story, meaning that he is the hero. In the beginning he is afraid and reluctant to join the adventure. Although Bilbo doesn’t think of himself as a hero, he finds himself having many skills that are required to be a hero. Bilbo also finds out how to kill Smaug, even though he didn’t kill him, that’s still an act of heroism. None of his companions are also heroes, because they don’t have all of the skills that require them to be heroes. However, when they work together they achieve heroic things. “Bilbo almost stopped breathing, and went stiff himself. He was desperate. He must get away, out of this horrible darkness, while he had any strength left. He must fight. He must stab the foul thing, put its eyes out, kill it. It meant to kill him. No, not a fair fight. He was invisible now. Gollum had no sword. Gollum had not actually threatened to kill him, or tried to yet. And he was miserable, alone, lost. A sudden understanding, a pity mixed with horror, welled up in Bilbo’s heart: a glimpse of endless unmarked days without light or hope of betterment, hard stone, cold fish, sneaking and whispering.” (Tolkien, 1937, p. 86-87). In this passage, he thinks about killing Gollum, whom he knows is dangerous. Suddenly, he feels sympathy for him because he couldn’t defend himself and did not threaten to harm him. He also feels sad for him because he lives a sad and lonely life. He feels sympathy for Gollum, and decides not to kill him, that being a heroic act. As for the power of language, when Bilbo, Gandalf and the dwarves face danger they use weapons. The most important weapon however, is language. At the beginning of the story, Bilbo does not have an exceptional use of language. When he gets lost under the Misty Mountains, he has to use words to fight Gollum. Through the adventure, his language and vocabulary get better. “”I am the clue-finder, the web-cutter, the stinging fly. I as chosen for the lucky number.” “Lovely titles!” sneered the dragon. “But lucky numbers don’t always come off.” “I am he that buries his friends alive and drowns them and draws them alive again from the water. I came from the end of a bag, but no bag went over me.” “These don’t sound so creditable,” scoffed Smaug. “I am the friend of bears and the guest of eagles. I am Ringwinner and Luckwearer; and I am Barrel-rider,” went on Bilbo beginning to be pleased with his riddling.” In this part of the book, Bilbo sneaks into Smaug’s lair and identifies himself with riddles that confuse Smaug. This passage shows the progress of Bilbo’s language.
Gandalf is an adult role who recruits Bilbo for a quest. He is very wise and helpful to the dwarves. He saves them many times, but he can also be neglectful when they need him. This could be because Gandalf wants them to develop and fight for themselves. “Adults need to create or nurture things that will outlast them, often by having children or creating a positive change that benefits other people.” (Erikson, 2017). I can relate to his neglectfulness because I think that when you leave people to save themselves they often come out stronger.
I think this book is suitable for young adult readers, because they could relate to Bilbo Baggins. Although he is not of the same age as young adults, he has certain characteristics that young adults could relate to. His development of language, his transition from being afraid to being heroic. “The adult reader of Tolkien’s The Hobbit can find in Bilbo Baggins enough touches of complexity and ironic coloring to make him entertaining, but his usefulness to the tale is not because of his domestic idiosyncrasies or the nursery satire he makes possible, but because once the adventure is launched he has all the virtues of the quest hero: bravery, skill, leadership, and supernatural protection.” (Appleyard, 1991).
My last impression is that this book could guide young adults into transitioning into adulthood while entertaining them. Since language is a very important aspect in the story, they could also develop their English.
Bibliography:
Appleyard, J. A. (1994). Becoming a Reader. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
Erikson, E.H. (1970). Reflections on the dissent of contemporary youth., International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 51, 11-22
Tolkien, J. R. R. (1937). The Hobbit (Unabridged edition). London, United Kingdom: George Allen & Unwin.
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