The Hobbit Throughout J.R.R Tolkien’s novel “The Hobbit,” many different literary devices are used.
A few examples of literary devices include; i nclude; similes, metaphors, hyperbole, imagery, and many more. Literary devices are used to show how the characters feel during certain events or to help the readers better understand certain situations. On page 1, I found three examples of literary devices. When the author is describing Bilbo’s home, Tolkien writes “not a nasty, dirty,
wet hole, filled with the ends of worms…” this is an example of imagery. In addition, Tolkien writes “perfectly round door like a porthole.” The use of the word “like” in this sentence makes this statement a simile. Lastly, Tolkien goes on to say “tube-shaped hall like a tunnel.” Along
with the previous example, this is also a simile.
The author of “The Hobbit” uses a great deal of mood and tone through the entire
novel. One specific event that has a set mood or tone is “The Unexpected Party.” This event can be found on pages 7 through 11. Throughout these few pages many strange events occur. Many people that Bilbo doesn’t know show up at his home, this is very startling for Bilbo and
the reader. Bilbo does not know what is going on and he is very confused. Eventually a wizard named Gandalf shows up. Gandalf and the other guests are talking about an adventure/ Bilbo still has no idea what is going on and neither does the reader. This sets the mood. Mood is the way the reader feels during a certain point in the novel. The mood of “The Unexpected Party,”
is confused or startled.
Towards the beginning of this novel, Bilbo doesn’t seem very heroic but, as the story
progresses he becomes more brave. On page 34, Bilbo goes into the woods by himself to see what the light is. In addition, on pages 73-90 Bilbo seems very heroic being stuck in the cave all alone. While in the cave he comes across Gollum. Bilbo plays the “Riddle Game” to escape the Gollum. While Bilbo is amongst Gollum he finds Gollum’s magic ring which helps him escape
Gollum and the Goblins. Lastly Bilbo seems li ke a hero to the others on the adventure on pages 159-162, when he rescues them from the giant spiders by using his sword and magic ring.
Chapter six in J.R.R Tolkien’s novel is titled “Out Of the Frying Pan into the Fire.” During
this chapter Bilbo, Gandalf, and the dwarves are looking for a place to spend the night on page 98. Before they began walking, on page 64 they were trapped by goblins, which wanted to eat
them. Back in chapter two on page 34 there was a group of Trolls that the group was about to be eaten by. On pages 105 and 106 the group was trapped up in the tree tops, surrounded by wolves and goblins that had lit fire to the trees in the forest. This is why chapter six is titled “Out of the Fire into the Frying Pan.”
Throughout the novel, the wizard, Gandalf has been helpful, wise, and caring. On page 39, Bilbo and the dwarves are trapped by trolls and they are helpless. Suddenly Gandalf appears and rescues them from the trolls. Gandalf is wise on page 17 when he is explaining the history of the dragon to Bilbo and the dwarves. He is also wise on page 138 before he leaves the group he is telling them not to stray off the path and to avoid certain things. Lastly, Gandalf is caring. Throughout this entire novel he has looked out for Bilbo and the dwarves, even when he is not with them he is watching over them and is always there to get them out of trouble.
Joseph Campbell wrote “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a
region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow men.” Bilbo can relate to this quote in many ways. Bilbo is the hero venturing forth
from a world of common day on page 30. Bilbo and the dwarves encounter “supernatural wonder” such as; trolls goblins, wolves, spiders and many other things found on pages 34, 98,
and 99. The group must face fabulous forces, but they win i n the end with the help of Gandalf. Lastly, Bilbo is able to bestow boons or gifts on his fellow men by going on the adventure with them and killing the dragon on page 251.
Throughout the novel “The Hobbit” there are many major conflicts. In chapter 8, on
pages 140-170 the group of dwarves and Bilbo and lost in the dark forest. While they are lost one of the dwarves falls into the dark stream that they were warned about. He falls asleep and forgets everything about their adventure when he awakens. The group becomes lost because they are very hungry and they are trying to sneak into the wood elves feast. If they didn’t try to do this they never would’ve lost their way from the path. While they are lost, they come across
many giant spiders which try to eat the dwarves. Luckily Bilbo saves them. This conflict is eventually resolved when the group is captured by elves and taken to their lair. It may not have been the greatest resolution to their problems but now they are out of the dark forest. J.R.R Tolkien had a very specific reason to write each chapter and the events that occurred in each chapter. In chapter 6, the group is looking for a place to sleep, but instead
they come across wolves and goblins. This chapter’s purpose was to show the struggles and obstacles the group had to face during their journey. Also in chapter 6, Eagles rescue the group from wolves and goblins. The purpose of this was to show that no matter what trouble the men got into, good always triumphed over evil.
