Analysis of the Literary Classic : The Hobbit
Analysis of the Literary Classic : The Hobbit
“The Hobbit” was originally written in 1937 by the brilliant author J.R.R. Tolkien. He was an Englishmen, scholar, and most importantly a great father. He decided to write a book for his son because he loved to write, and his son loved hearing about adventure, and fantasy. His answer was “The Hobbit”, a charming book which had a little Hobbit named Bilbo for the main character. This novel took Tolkien a very long time to write, and finally paid off when he showed it to his family, and friends who enjoyed it so he decided to have it published.
Today The Hobbit is still read widespread around the world, and is becoming the new craze, along with The Lord of the Ring due to the production of the movie “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”.
“The Hobbit” is considered a literary classic due to many aspects of the novel, and due to the use of characterization, symbolism, and the chosen settings.
There are many characters in “The Hobbit” that are important to the storyline, but none as important as Bilbo Baggins, and Gandalf. Bilbo Baggins is a Hobbit from Hobbiton, a place where the “respectable” Hobbits live. They never go on any adventures, and are happy with eating six meals a day, and tending to their beautiful gardens.
One day Gandalf went to Bilbo’s house, and with the help of thirteen dwarves, persuaded him to accompany them on their journey to The Misty Mountains, home of Smaug the dragon. When Bilbo started off on the journey he was afraid, unsure of what would happen, felt insignificant, wanted to go home and be left alone, and was quite a pushover. “I wish I was home in my nice hole by the fire, with the kettle just beginning to sing!” (“The Hobbit” p. 31) Throughout the novel Bilbo’s character changes significantly. He seems to “grow up” emotionally, and physically.
Tolkien used Bilbo as the main character because he related to the reader, his son. It makes sense that he would choose a small being that resembles a child to be the main character. The “growing up” of Bilbo relates to his son because he is going through the same thing. He is a child who is afraid, and unsure when something new,...