Their impulse to journey to the Mountain to seek revenge for Smaug's theft of their treasure contrasts with Bilbo's hobbit-like reluctance to leave his comfortable home. The dwarves love beautiful material things they like to make merry with food, drink, and song and they can be fierce and vengeful. While these creatures are not real to the reader's experience, the narrator describes them in a matter-of-fact way as possessing a history and understandable character traits in addition to their unique physical appearance. The first chapter introduces a wizard, Gandalf, and thirteen dwarves. Hobbits are not the only unusual creatures in this novel. Here you see him being drawn almost against his will into an adventure that he seems destined to experience. He is the protagonist of the story, but he does not appear in any way heroic, which is one of the themes of the story: how someone as ordinary as Bilbo, who does not at all seek adventure, can nevertheless find himself in an extraordinary situation in which he proves to be courageous and resourceful. The psychological conflict between his love of comfort and a certain inclination to adventure follows him throughout the story, and attempting to resolve it contributes to his character development. From his mother's side of the family, he has a model for adventurousness and also the financial resources to enjoy a life of leisure. He is quite domestic and enjoys the comfort of his well-furnished hobbit-hole, good food, and a pipe. He looks like an adult human, except that he is about half the height, is beardless, and has thick curly hair growing on his feet a hobbit does not wear shoes. The novel begins by introducing the story's main character, Bilbo Baggins, establishing the fantasy world of the story, and providing the premise for the journey that structures the plot.ĭespite being a creature the reader has never seen - a hobbit - Bilbo Baggins is described in physical, psychological, and social terms that are quite understandable. They go to bed with plans for an early start the next morning. Bilbo asks about the business details of the adventure. Thorin tells the story of his ancestors, who lived in great wealth under the Mountain near Dale until Smaug the dragon invaded Dale and took control of the treasure of the Mountain. He points to a secret entrance marked on the map and gives Thorin the key to it. Gandalf takes out a map made by Thror, Thorin's grandfather, that shows where the treasure is hidden. Bilbo agrees to go on the journey, partly out of pride, because the dwarves are skeptical of his ability. When he comes to, he learns that Gandalf had advertised his services as a burglar - the meaning of the secret mark on the door - hoping that the dwarves would recruit him. Bilbo, who had not planned to join the group, becomes frightened and falls into a fit. Thorin, their leader, addresses the group, including Bilbo, whom he calls a fellow conspirator, reminding them that they are embarking the next day on a journey from which they may not return. The dwarves sing of seeking a treasure that lies buried under a mountain guarded by a dragon. They demand refreshments, and while they eat, they talk, smoke, sing, and play musical instruments. The next day, Gandalf and thirteen dwarves - Dwalin, Balin, Kili, Fili, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, and Thorin - visit Bilbo and make themselves at home. Bilbo invites him to tea the next day Gandalf makes a strange mark on the outside of Bilbo's front door and leaves. Gandalf tells Bilbo that he is looking for someone to share an adventure with, but Bilbo firmly declines the invitation even after Gandalf reveals his identity to Bilbo and reminds him of Gandalf's longtime friendship with the Took family. His house is a beautifully furnished hole in the ground.īilbo Baggins greets a passer-by, not recognizing him as Gandalf the wizard. Bilbo himself is very well off and fond of food and clothes. His mother was a member of the Took family, who are considered a little irregular because they were rumored to have intermarried with a fairy and because they love adventure. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, a small, beardless creature with hairy feet who is quite sociable and loves the comforts of home.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |