Free Hobbit Essays: Bilbo's Transformation/Maturation

Bilbo’s Transformation/Maturation

Some people say that people never change, while others believe that if given the chance, they will. In this case, J.R.R. Tolkien gives the character Bilbo Baggins the chance to change dramatically in his book The Hobbit. Bilbo undergoes many significant changes in his personality as a result of engaging in Gandalf's journey with the dwarves. The most important transformations include Bilbo going from fearful to brave, from being questioned to respected and from being helpless to resourceful.

At the beginning of the story, Bilbo seems very fearful, but soon proves that he is indeed brave. Bilbo is very tied up in his very boring, dreary life and he really does not want to go on the adventure that he is being

But please come to tea any time you like! Why not tomorrow? Come tomorrow! Good-bye!" (p. 6).The first sign of bravery is when the spider tries to tie him up and Bilbo fights him off with his sword. "Somehow the killing of a giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark without the help of a wizard or the dwarves or anyone else, made a great difference to Mr. Baggins. 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." (pg.155). At this point in the story, Bilbo realizes that he does have courage within himself, and gains the confidence to carry on. Bilbo shows even more bravery by being the one with enough courage to go and check out Smaug in the first place.“Then the hobbit slipped on his ring, warned by the echoes to take more than a hobbit's care to make no sound, he crept noiselessly down, down into the dark. He was trembling with fear, but his little face was set and grim”(p. 212).

"Will he do, do you think? It is all very well for Gandalf to talk about this hobbit being fierce, but one shriek like that in a moment of excitement would be enough to wake the dragons and all of his relatives, and kill the lot of us. I think it sounded more like fright than excitement! In fact, if it had not been for the sign on the door, I should have been sure we had come to the wrong house. As soon as I clapped eyes on the little fellow bobbing and puffing on the mat , I had my doubts. He looks more like a grocer than a burglar!" (p. 17). The dwarves do not respect Bilbo Baggins at this point in the story, in fact they doubt him about his skills and wonder if he will get them killed in the end. Bilbo has not yet had the chance to show them what he can do, but he is determined to prove them wrong and gain their respect. Later on in the story, respect is shown towards Bilbo immensely when he finally escapes the Goblin tunnels and meets up with the dwarves again. “‘And here’s the burglar!’ said Bilbo stepping down into the middle of them, and slipping off the ring. Bless me, how they jumped! Then they shouted with surprise and delight. Gandalf was as astonished as any of them, but probably more pleased than all the others.” (pg. 88) If they had still doubted that he was really a burglar, in spite of Gandalf's words,