The Hobbitt

The Hobbit is written in third person to make it sound as though the story is being told out loud. In The Hobbit, the narrator speaks as if he’s telling a story to kids, often interrupting the story to make little asides. A quote to back this up can be found on page 37 when Bert says, “You’re a fat fool William, as I’ve said afore this evening.” Another quote from the book proving it is written in third person is when the dwarves cry, “Why what has happened? Do get on with your tale!” (Page 228). And finally when Bilbo asks, “There aren’t any oars, How are you going to push the boat back to the far bank?” (Page 144).

My favorite part of the book would be when Smaug, the dragon, is killed. This is great because now the travelers can get the treasure much easier. Even though Bilbo wasn’t the one to kill Smaug, he was the one who provided the information to kill him. Bilbo found a soft spot on Smaug near his left breast. This is where Bard, one of the archers defending the town and a descendent of Girion, shot Smaug with an arrow and was victorious. The arrow killed the feared beast.

Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit, changed quite a bit throughout the story. In the beginning when he was first recruited to go on the quest with the dwarves, he was a well-respected, quiet, member of his community. He lived in his hole in the side of a hill and never thought of adventure. As he is on his quest every encounter he has with people, animals, and beasts helps him to become braver and more adventurous. After Smaug had been killed, Bilbo went back to his home (the hole in the hill) which was being auctioned off because he was presumed to be dead. After he got everything straightened out in that situation he went back to being a quiet little hobbit that lived in a hole, thinking back on his adventurous quest.

One of the themes of The Hobbit concerns the use of power on many different levels. One example of power would be Gandalf’s magical powers that you see him use immediately. At the very beginning of the story he places a mark on Bilbo’s door that causes the dwarves to gather at the hobbit’s hole. Gandalf seems to know a lot more about Bilbo than can be explained, and he has a gift for prophecy. He uses a magic wand at times, and he appears and disappears many times. His magical power is reflected in his age and knowledge.

In the end of the book Thorin had died in the battle and was buried with his favorite piece of treasure, the Arkenstone, and his sword, Orcrist. Kili and Fili also died in the battle and both were buried. Bilbo had been given some of the hoard (treasure) and traveled back home to find it being sold at auction because he was thought dead. After this, Bilbo settles once again in his hobbit hole more comfortable than ever. The ending was very satisfying because everything I hoped would happen, happened. Bilbo got home safely, he got some of the treasure, and Smaug was killed.

The setting of the story takes place in the lands of Wilderland. It is through Wilderland that the hobbit, Bilbo, and the dwarves travel through to retrieve their lost treasure. As they move on through Wilderland, they encounter many different people, animals, and beats that cause different problems, making the quest more adventurous. The different towns, mountains, and forests that the travelers have to endure make the quest very troublesome. A big help to get past all of this was the ring that Bilbo found which made whoever was wearing it invisible.