There and Back Again: October 2011

Monday, 31 October 2011

Not at Home; Conflict in the Hobbit

Throughout the Hobbit there are many different conflicts ranging in significanse and severity, but all of them important in shaping characters and furthering the story. In this post I will look at three different conflicts that I feel have the most affect on the novel.

1. Hobbit vs the Supernatural; One of the most important conflicts in the story was Bilbo's conversation with Smaug the dragon. Now this was not a physical conflict as one might expect, but a mental one. Bilbo had to challenge the dragon to a battle of wits, something only a genius or a fool would even consider attempting. Luckily Bilbo is a little bit of both. The conflict was resolved when Bilbo was able to stall Smaug enough to locate his weak spot and escape.

2. Hobbit vs Nature; Bilbo and his party seem to be constantly at war with the environment, as they have to cross through some of the most perilous places in Middle Earth. The most perilous though, would have to be the forest of Mirkwood. There they battled with perilous creatures, mysterious enchantments and their own hunger to make it through to the other side. "In a few days time there was practically nothing left to eat or drink. Nothing wholesome they could could they see growing in the wood, only funguses and herbs with pale leaves and unpleasant smell." (the Hobbit 144) The conflict was resolved only by the sheer determination of the party to complete their quest.

3. Hobbit vs Self; I would consider this conflict to be by far the largest and most significant of the novel. Bilbo finds himself in a constant struggle with himself as to whether or not he truly belongs on this adventure. He really does miss his cozy lifestyle back home. Bilbo overcame this conflict through his tremendous loyalty and maybe just a little bit of encouragement from Gandalf. After the adventure however, Bilbo did end up returning home to live as he once did, but this was not an act of submission, for he had already accomplished the task.

Sunday, 30 October 2011

We're not in Bag end anymore...

"'Yes you do!' said the wizard, 'if you want to get to the other side. you must either go through or give up your quest. And I am not going to allow you to back out now, Mr Baggins. I am ashamed of you for thinking of it. You have got to look after all these dwarves for me.' he laughed." (the Hobbit 136)

Those were some of the last words Gandalf had said to Bilbo before he left them to go through Mirkwood and as much as they were said jokingly, I think Gandalf really meant them. Up to this point in their journey, the party had relied on Gandalf to watch out for them, make decisions for them and to keep them out of trouble. When he left, the task was ultimately given to Bilbo, even though at first he really didn't realize it.

I think it really started to become apparent to Bilbo when they were being held captive by the elves. Bilbo hatched and carried through the plan to rescue them without any help from the dwarves or Gandalf. This is a huge step in any journey and it represents a tremendous milestone for Bilbo as he is beginning to take leadership without the help of his mentor.

Over hill and under hill

For those who have read the Hobbit, I'm sure you will agree with me when I say that The Hobbit's setting is one of the most vividly described worlds to ever reach publication. From the rolling hills of the Shire to the eerie black forests of Mirkwood, Tolkien has created a new world, described in such detail, it is almost as if you are there.

"It had a perfectly round door like a pothole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened to a tube shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted provided with polished chairs... The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill - The Hill, as all the people for miles round called it - and many little round doors opened out of it." (The Hobbit 13) Now this continues on for a fair bit more, but I think this short selection provides more than enough of an example of the caliber of Tolkien's ability to create a wonderfully rich setting. Even from this short portion of a paragraph, a clear mental image is built through the text. A clear sign of a talented writer.

Now to write with such beautiful description is quite tough to begin with, even if you are writing about something familiar, but Tolkien takes it to a whole new level. He has created an entirely new world! And such a diverse world it is. The various locations explored in the Hobbit are so vastly different and new yet somewhat familiar and special. Reading through it, I found it hard to believe that these places were imaginary. I felt as if it was like Tolkien had been there himself, the way he described them to the last detail. This wonderful world of middle earth that Tolkien has created has survived for almost eighty years and will not be leaving any time soon.

From a hole in the ground...

Bilbo Baggins. At first glance Bilbo really wouldn't look like much. In truth at a second glance he really wouldn't look like much as well. Just a quaint little halfling living a life of casual luxury and pleasant company. Even a well trained eye wouldn't even consider him to be a candidate for a grand adventure. Alas, while making this judgment would be completely rational, it is not even close to correct. For Bilbo has always had the potential to be a grand adventurer and a worthy companion. He just needed a bit of a push, or in this case a rather large one!

Now when Bilbo first met his companions, they all had the same doubts as most would have about Bilbo's character traits. He was very clearly not the "cunning burglar" Gandalf had described him to be. However Bilbo quickly began to prove them wrong. Bilbo began to demonstrate qualities that even he had no idea he possessed, the qualities of a hero. A significant example of Bilbo's heroism comes in to play in the forest of Mirkwood, when Bilbo puts his very life at risk to rescue his companions from the spiders. He saw his companions in trouble and selflessly dashed in to help them without even considering backing out. This act marked a very significant milestone for Bilbo as he not only impressed the dwarves with his actions but he also impressed himself. "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." (The Hobbit 152) At that moment Bilbo began to think of himself as a hero and I think that was the moment when Bilbo truly became a hero. The reason I say this is because this was the first difficult and trying task he had accomplished without the guidance and help of Gandalf.

Bilbo accomplished a lot of things, but I think that the biggest accomplishment of all comes towards the end of the story where Bilbo even goes behind his ally to prevent conflict. "Is this all the service of you of you and your family that I was promised, Thorin? Take it that I have disposed of my share as I wished and let it go at that!" (the Hobbit 258) This was the most difficult thing that Bilbo had to do in the entire story. He had to betray a friend in order to keep the peace. Such a difficult decision could not be made by anyone but a hero, but Bilbo did what he had to do. Bilbo had shown a valor of a different kind and proved himself once again as a hero.

Sunday, 9 October 2011

Welcome

Hello and welcome to my blog. Over the next two months I will be reading and analyzing J.R.R. Tolkien's classic, "the Hobbit" as part of an independent study project for my grade eleven English class. I chose to read the Hobbit, because my Dad had read it to me when I was much younger. Upon starting this project I was quite eager to reread it and see it in a different light. To my surprise I only remembered very little of the book and reading it almost feels like a new experience to me. However, from time to time I am still finding parts of the book that feel pleasantly familiar and other parts where I find myself almost completing lines in my head. It has been a tremendous experience so far rereading this favorite from my childhood, and it will only get better.

I will be posting again soon, and by that point I will have finished the book and I will begin with my reflections. Farewell for now!