Don't Stop Believing

What makes a great adventurer? What characteristics define an adept burglar? J.R.R. Tolkien explores these questions in his novel, The Hobbit. At the beginning of the story, Bilbo Baggins lives a quiet life and “never ha[s] any adventures or [does] anything unexpected” (Tolkien 4). One day, the wizard Gandalf approaches Bilbo and asks him to embark upon an adventure. Though Bilbo declines at first, thirteen dwarves soon appear at his hobbit hole, ready to recapture the treasure that the dragon Smaug stole from them (Tolkien 18). The dwarves are skeptical about Bilbo at first, but Gandalf chose Bilbo and his skill set for this specific adventure. Bilbo has potential, and he eventually learns to embrace his cleverness, integrity, and academic knowledge about the world, fulfilling his role and saving his friends in the process. 

Instead of choosing a more adventurous and qualified hobbit, Gandalf specifically selects Bilbo because of his interests and his integrity. Bilbo is an ordinary hobbit who has no experience with dragons or long journeys away from home. He enjoys eating, staying at home, and being a good host; he is content with his uneventful life. However, although Bilbo has “no use for adventures,” he is well-versed in academics and knows a great deal about maps, useful tools for a journey (Tolkien 7). Unlike the dwarves, Bilbo is more careful and not overeager, which serves him well whenever he should think instead of acting immediately. Bilbo is also observant, and readers see that his observational skills actually help defeat Smaug in the end. In addition to Bilbo’s knowledge and attention to detail, his integrity also makes him an ideal adventurer. According to Gandalf, Bilbo is “a hobbit of good family and unimpeachable reputation,” and his good character serves him well throughout the story (Tolkien 130). After Bilbo discovers the ring and beats Gollum by challenging him with riddles, Bilbo has an opportunity to kill him (Tolkien 96). As he contemplates stabbing Gollum, he realizes that Gollum “ha[s] no sword,” thus it is “not a fair fight” (Tolkien 96). Because of his integrity and sense of honor, Bilbo values all life, even if they are his enemies’. Gandalf chooses Bilbo for the journey because he knows that Bilbo is guided by reason, which is important in order to uphold morality and create a better future. Gandalf recognizes that Bilbo is capable of great things and can aide the hobbits in their journey. He even reminds the dwarves that “there is a lot more in [Bilbo] than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself” whenever they doubt Bilbo and his abilities (Tolkien 23). However, even though Bilbo has potential, he must learn to apply his skills. 

Readers eventually see that Bilbo embraces his talents and rescues his friends multiple times, eventually transforming into “a very different hobbit from the one that had run out…from Bag-End long ago” (Tolkien 232). Bilbo’s cleverness allows him to help the dwarves after they are captured by the Wood-elves and imprisoned for weeks. One evening, when the Wood-elves are celebrating, Bilbo steals the guard’s keys and frees the dwarves from their prison (Tolkien 194). He then stows them in barrels that are normally used to transport wine down the river, and they escape. Instead of standing idly by and waiting for Gandalf to come to the rescue, Bilbo takes initiative. He does not rely on another person to fix the situation like he would have at the beginning of their journey; rather, he uses the skills and resources he has been given to form a solution. Because of Bilbo’s plan and his role in their escape, the dwarves “all trust Bilbo,” which is “just what Gandalf had said would happen” (Tolkien 191). Bilbo also uses his observational skills to his advantage, which ultimately helps the dwarves find and defeat Smaug. When they travel to the Lonely Mountain, where Smaug lives, Bilbo studies Thorin’s map and eventually finds the secret passage into the mountain (Tolkien 224). Unlike the dwarves, he does not complain or feel sorry for himself. He knows he has a job to do and continues to use his skillset to study the map and search for answers. If he had given up instead of willing himself to continue, then Bilbo and the dwarves’ journey would not have been fruitful. Unfortunately, even though they discover the door, they are not able to open it as there is no “sign of a bar or bolt or key-hole” (Tolkien 224). Days pass, and their spirits falter until Bilbo spots a thrush knocking against the mountain (Tolkien 228). He then remembers the message written on Elrond’s map, describing how the keyhole is only exposed on Durin’s Day. Not only is Bilbo’s memory a valuable asset, but he pays attention to his surroundings. After they open the passageway, Bilbo travels down into Smaug’s lair to determine whether Smaug has any weaknesses (Tolkien 240). When Bilbo enters, Smaug awakens and asks Bilbo for his name (Tolkien 241). Instead of revealing this information, however, Bilbo presents Smaug with riddles since “no dragon can resist the fascination of riddling talk and of wasting time trying to understand it” (Tolkien 242). While Bilbo uses his knowledge and intelligence to outsmart Smaug, he notices “a large patch in the hollow of [Smaug’s] left breast as bare as a snail out of its shell,” the key to killing him (Tolkien 246). The wit and observational skills Bilbo exhibits in the dragon’s lair allow him to discover how to kill Smaug. Bilbo, the common hobbit who was a stranger to adventure, becomes an integral part in killing the dragon and reclaiming the kingdom. From the beginning, Gandalf believes that Bilbo has great potential and will be a valuable asset to the dwarves. Gandalf wants Bilbo to reach his full potential, so he chooses to leave Bilbo and the dwarves. As a result, Bilbo repeatedly steps forth and leads the group. Although Bilbo is not perfect, as he makes several mistakes and often desires to go home, he continually demonstrates that he has become an “expert burglar and investigator” (Tolkien 256).

Tolkien models Bilbo’s character after mankind. Though Bilbo is ordinary, he uses his gifts and talents to help others, making him the hero of the story. If someone is a bookish person only, he does not live; he reads but does not take action or go on adventures. Through Bilbo, Tolkien demonstrates that bookish people can become the best adventurers; they simply must agree to embark upon the journey. Bilbo’s cleverness, observational skills, and intelligence are traits that he possessed from the very beginning. However, he has to embrace these gifts and use them well in order to participate in and contribute to the journey. In the end, readers see that Bilbo reaches his full potential and proves that he is the best burglar for the job.