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.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Heroe’s Journey
2.1. Separation
2.2. Initiation
2.3. Return
3. Bilbo’s Quest for Identity
3.1. Baggins vs. Took
3.2. Important Stages
3.2.1. Trolls
3.2.2. Gollum
3.2.3. Spider
3.2.4. Smaug
3.3. Causes for the Change
3.4. Coming Home
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis examines the psychological and personal development of Bilbo Baggins in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, utilizing Joseph Campbell’s theory of the Monomyth to analyze his quest for identity and maturity. It investigates how Bilbo navigates the conflict between his "Baggins" and "Took" natures, arguing that his journey from an unheroic, comfort-seeking hobbit to a mature leader represents a fundamental transformation of the self.
- The application of Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth to Bilbo’s journey.
- The reconciliation of the duality between the Baggins and Tookish sides of Bilbo’s personality.
- The analysis of key turning points (Trolls, Gollum, Spiders, Smaug) in Bilbo’s maturation process.
- The significance of Bilbo’s homecoming and his ultimate acceptance of his identity.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. Baggins vs. Took
The inner conflict of Bilbo Baggins has already been hinted at in the previous chapter and will now be examined in detail. On the first page of the first chapter called "an unexpected Party" it is already hinted at what kind of person Bilbo is. His home his described as perfect, shiny and very comfortable (cf. Tolkien 3). It is perfect in the way that it is intentionally built and shaped like that, with no surprises and irregularities, everything is just as it has to be for Bilbo. He is even prepared for many visitors as there are "lots of pegs for hats and coats" (Tolkien 3). The reader gets the impression that he is actually prepared for anything, even if it might be unexpected, Bilbo would be prepared so there are no worries about anything. Nevertheless Bilbo does not like unexpected things as the reader will find out on the next pages.
The Bagginses have lived on The Hill for ages and were regarded as very respectable (cf. Tolkien 4). Now respectable can account for many qualities of a family, may it be that they are loyal, honest and well-mannered people. However, what the people of The Hill liked so much about the Bagginses was that they were rich, that they did not go on any adventures and that they were completely predictable people (ibid.). Meaning they never did or said anything unexpected. However, Tolkien tells us that this is a story about a Hobbit, namely Bilbo, who did go on an unexpected adventure and found "himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected" (ibid.).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the enduring popularity of Tolkien’s work and outlines the thesis's objective to analyze Bilbo Baggins’s quest as both an adventure and a journey of psychological maturation.
2. The Heroe’s Journey: This section provides the theoretical framework by explaining Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth, including the three main stages of separation, initiation, and return, which serve as the foundation for the analysis.
3. Bilbo’s Quest for Identity: This central chapter explores the dual nature of Bilbo’s identity and analyzes his development through critical encounters and the realization of his potential.
4. Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes how Bilbo’s journey results in a successful reconciliation of his two natures, establishing him as a mature individual who possesses both courage and wisdom.
5. Bibliography: This section lists the primary and secondary sources used for this academic analysis.
Keywords
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, Monomyth, Joseph Campbell, Identity, Maturation, Fantasy Literature, Hero’s Journey, Baggins vs. Took, Psychological Development, Middle-Earth, Bildungsroman, Quest, Anti-Hero
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The thesis focuses on analyzing Bilbo Baggins's personal and psychological development in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, framing his adventure as a quest for identity and maturity.
Which theoretical concept is used to analyze the narrative?
The primary theoretical framework utilized is Joseph Campbell’s "Monomyth" (or "Hero’s Journey"), which is used to explain the structural and psychological stages of Bilbo’s transformation.
What are the primary themes explored?
The work explores themes of maturation, the conflict between internal natures (Baggins vs. Took), the reconciliation of comfort and adventure, and the archetype of the hero in fantasy literature.
What is the central research question?
The work seeks to explain how Bilbo’s character is shaped throughout his journey and how he successfully integrates the opposing sides of his heritage to become a mature individual.
Which specific stages of Bilbo's development are examined in the main body?
The thesis analyzes key encounters, specifically the meeting with the trolls, the riddle game with Gollum, the battle with the spiders, and the confrontation with the dragon Smaug.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include Bilbo Baggins, Monomyth, Identity, Maturation, Hero’s Journey, Fantasy, and Middle-Earth.
How does the author interpret the significance of the "Baggins" and "Took" sides?
The author views the "Baggins" side as representing Bilbo's desire for comfort, predictability, and social respectability, while the "Took" side represents his latent adventurousness and capacity for courage; the quest is the process of reconciling these two natures.
What role does the ring play in Bilbo’s development?
The ring serves as both a tool for survival and a means of personal growth, enabling Bilbo to take risks, gain self-confidence, and protect his companions without losing his moral stature.
How does Bilbo’s view of his home change by the end of the book?
Initially, Bilbo views his home as a static refuge from a terrifying world, but by the end, he gains a new appreciation for it, integrating his experiences into his mundane life rather than needing escapism.
What is the author's conclusion regarding Bilbo as a hero?
The author concludes that Bilbo is not a traditional epic hero but an "anti-heroic" figure whose transformation demonstrates that an everyday individual can become courageous and wise through the process of self-discovery.
- 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
