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.