The following thesis aims at analysing Bilbo’s quest for identity and maturation in J.R.R. Tolkiens “The Hobbit”.
It has been said that “The Hobbit” not only offers a fantasy world but also deals with the human psyche. First of all, the theoretical and more general part will be explaining the hero’s journey, the Monomyth of Campbell, its quest-plot, establishing the basis for the later analysis of Bilbo’s character. In the third chapter Bilbo’s quest will be examined, investigating his character as it is intermingled between the Baggins and Tookish part of his family. It will be displayed how his two natures are at first rather opposing each other and how Bilbo develops so that they complement each other.
Furthermore, the most important stages of his development are presented: the trolls, Gollum, the spiders in Mirkwood and finally Smaug. It will be shown how the first three stages are crucial turning points and prepare Bilbo for his final ordeal Smaug and how they shaped his character for the rest of the journey and the rest of his life. Furthermore, the causes of Bilbo’s development will be investigated focusing on what made him do the things he did and what makes him let go of his immature way of life.
In addition, the thesis will focus on the "back" of the story, Bilbo’s homecoming, examining how Bilbo changed throughout his journey, what he learnt, what he achieved, and how he is coming to peace as a better and mature hobbit. In the end, all thoughts and ideas will be summed up and it will be critically looked back at what the thesis dealt with.
The hero’s journey is not an unfamiliar theme of investigation in literature and always enjoyed a vast popularity. Campbell’s Monomyth is the major concept of this paper to explain how the hero’s character is shaped throughout his journey. Tolkien, as well as many before him, was influenced by Campbell’s idea. Campbell’s theory did not only influence literature but also film and comic, such as Star Wars and The Ultimate Spider-Man.
Genuinely, the idea of myths is to convey moral values and provide moral instruction. The idea of the Monomyth cannot only be applied to a literary hero but also to any other human being. The quest of Bilbo Baggins will serve as an example of the hero’s journey in which many features of the Monomyth can be found. Moreover, the idea of the journey is made clear through Bilbo’s quest as he not only has to take physical hurdles but also psychological ones.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Heroe's Journey
- Separation
- Initiation
- Return
- Bilbo's Quest for Identity
- Baggins vs. Took
- Important Stages
- Trolls
- Gollum
- Spider
- Smaug
- Causes for the Change
- Coming Home
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis analyzes Bilbo Baggins' quest for identity and maturation in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. It aims to explore how Bilbo's journey embodies the hero's journey, particularly through the lens of Joseph Campbell's Monomyth. This analysis delves into the complexities of Bilbo's character, highlighting the tension between his Baggins and Tookish sides and how he ultimately reconciles these aspects. Furthermore, the thesis examines crucial turning points in Bilbo's development, focusing on his encounters with the trolls, Gollum, the spiders, and Smaug. It investigates what drives Bilbo's transformation and how these experiences shape his character throughout his journey. Finally, the thesis addresses Bilbo's homecoming, examining his growth, his lessons learned, and his transition into a more mature and fulfilled hobbit.
- The hero's journey and its application to Bilbo Baggins' character development
- The contrast and reconciliation of Bilbo's Baggins and Tookish natures
- The importance of Bilbo's encounters with various challenges, including the trolls, Gollum, the spiders, and Smaug
- The motivations and catalysts behind Bilbo's transformation from a reluctant hobbit to a courageous adventurer
- The impact of Bilbo's experiences on his personal growth and his eventual return home as a changed individual
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter introduces Tolkien's The Hobbit, its popularity, and the significance of fantasy literature. It highlights Tolkien's intention to create a myth for the English and explores how The Hobbit's themes resonate with readers seeking change and heroic figures who overcome adversity. The chapter also lays the groundwork for analyzing Bilbo's character development through the lens of the hero's journey.
Chapter 2 delves into the hero's journey, presenting Joseph Campbell's Monomyth as a framework for understanding the hero's transformative journey. It explores how Campbell's theory applies not only to mythological heroes but also to the human experience. This chapter introduces the concept of the quest plot and its relevance to Bilbo's story.
Chapter 3 focuses on Bilbo's quest for identity. It explores the opposing influences of his Baggins and Tookish sides and examines how these aspects intertwine to shape his character. This chapter analyzes Bilbo's encounters with the trolls, Gollum, the spiders, and Smaug, highlighting these as crucial turning points in his development. It also investigates the reasons for Bilbo's transformation, examining the forces that drive his growth and how he sheds his immaturity.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The Hobbit, fantasy literature, hero's journey, Joseph Campbell, Monomyth, Bilbo Baggins, character development, Baggins, Tookish, identity, maturation, transformation, quest, adventure, myth, Tolkien, Middle-Earth.
- Quote paper
- Katja Grasberger (Author), 2015, Bilbo’s quest for identity and maturity in J.R.R. Tolkien’s "The Hobbit", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/323285
