The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - Book Report/Review Example

Theyab Alhammadi Com 1102 Proffessor: John Almasy 29 September The Hobbit, a book by J.R.R. Tolkien has a number of themes. Over the years, contents of the book have not lost their relevance to the contemporary world; the ideas in the book relate to the current world. Among the themes portrayed by the characters in the book is heroism, self-esteem, power as well as good and evil. However, the theme of greed is conspicuous in the book. Although the dwarves claim that their journey is to reclaim the heritage, the reality is far from the truth; their journey is not to claim the heritage but their motivation is greed. Consistently, they chase gold and treasure in the book. Greed contributes to the change of Bilbo’s character, who initially has no intentions of being part of the adventurous team. As their search progresses band their escapades increases, he also changes his heart, and start chasing the treasure too. The author demonstrates how greed potentially corrupts people, and to a large extent death. Contrary to this is the absence of greed, which leads to a happy conclusion. The motives of the dwarves were well known to Elrond, he knew right from the very beginning that they were chasing the treasure and he openly criticizes them for their pursuit, this was also the very first time that a character openly criticizes the dwarves for their pursuit of treasure. The men and elves also go to the mountains but the initial reaction of the dwarves was to protect the treasure, which yet again goes to show how greedy they really were. Bilbo returns home with a very small part of the treasure but he went on a journey to get the entire treasure, he spends that small part on his favorite people and does not regret spending it later in his life. To conclude it is fair to say that greed plays a significant part in The Hobbit, the novel would not have shaped up the way it did had the important characters not been greedy for the treasure. At the beginning of the book, the author portrays Bilbo Baggins as living a quiet and peaceful life. He is content with himself, living in his hole at Bag End. One day however, the arrival of an old wizard, Gandalf, shutters his comfort. Gandalf persuades Bilbo to accompany him and thirteen other militant dwarves on an adventure. The dwarves’ main mission in this adventure is to reclaim their treasure. From a humble and timid person, Gandalf allocates Bilbo the role of a bulgur in the mission to secure their treasure from the marauding dragon Smaug. Despite other dwarves contesting Gandalf’s choice of a bugler and Bilbo’s hesitation from leaving his comfortable life, Gandalf convince them otherwise, assuring them that there is more to Bilbo than his little size. Not only is greed portrayed by the actions of these dwarves, greed is also revealed i8n other characters in the book. Before the platoon could set out on their mission to search for their treasure, three hungry trolls capture them all apart from Gandalf who escapes. The trolls want to have them for their meal, only for Gandalf to save them by tricking the trolls to remaining outside when the sun comes up. The sunlight turns the trolls to stone, allowing the dwarves to escape. In the troll‘s camp, the militants find an assortment of weapons. While Gandalf and the dwarf lord Thorin take magic swords, Bilbo gets himself a small sword, actions which reveal the groups’ allure of materialism and greed. A critical look at the dwarves reveals the influence of greed in their actions. Thorin for instance is a character portraying the influence of greed and its destructive effects on people. The biggest obsession of these dwarves is gaining back treasure from the Lonely Mountain, and as such, they are willing to do anything, regardless of its gravity to secure it back. Due to their determination, they set out on a long and dangerous road, where they encounter trolls and giant goblins, wolves and spiders. Regardless of these efforts however, they end up at the doorstep of a cunning dragon Smaug. In a conversation between Thorin and Bilbo, it is evident that Thorin’s clan has more than enough wealth to live by. He also reveals the ill motive behind the desire to reclaim the treasure. Although he claims that their journey is to seek revenge and acquire back what they have lost, the truth is that for years they have coexisted peacefully, and working together to restore their heritage. Greed, the driving force for these individuals evidently reveals itself when Gandalf gives them a map and a key, tools that would lead them to the treasure. It is only then that the group decides to set out on the journey. The thought of what awaits them; armor, jewels and carvings is overwhelming that they cannot think straight, apart from the wealth and riches they are in pursuit. Thorin is not only greedy, but also ungrateful, cold-hearted and dishonest. Inconsiderably, he threatens to throw Bilbo to the rock as the story approaches its final stages, forgetting what Bilbo had done to the group (276). Additionally, he hides the truth of the reason for the journey to the elves, as he is afraid that the elves would demand a share of the gold. This puts the dwarves at the risk of jail. Before the great battle, the dwarves reveal their true characters; the influence of greed in their actions. When the dwarves heard of the news about the approaching men and elves to retrieve their share of the treasure, they are too scared of losing part of treasure that they send for reinforcements. They believe that the treasure is worth the trouble of war. The dwarves show their unwillingness to let any or part of the loot go, and thus welcome no negotiations or compromise. They show the willingness to kill in order to protect the treasure. Even Gandalf himself notes the overwhelming greed in Thorin, and points it out, noting that he does not make a good leader and a king under the mountain (277). He values gold more than the lives of other people, and lacks his humane character, to the point of disrespecting a fellow militant with death. Thorin cannot bear the loss of the Arkenstone, and he eventually starts a war that leads to the great battle. The ultimate end of Thorin’s greed is his death during the war. Gollum is also another character showing the influence of greed. He portrays this by the overwhelming obsession he has for his golden ring. Moreover, he demonstrates the greed for food when he suggested to Bilbo before the start of the riddle game that incase the precious does not answer then, then they should eat it (74). Gollum wants to eat Bilbo, regardless of the tricks that Bilbo uses to make his escape. Eventually, the greed overpowers him, and he breaks his promise. He fights to get his ring, which would make him invisible enabling him, eat Bilbo. He however reveals his greed for wealth when he realizes the disappearance of his ring. With the understanding that Bilbo must have stolen it, desperately starts weeping and block the way out. If it were not for Bilbo’s compassion and pity, his greed would have cost him his life. Smug the dragon is also an example of a greedy character in the book. He has no substantial need for treasure such as gold; he only lies on it. However, he guards it with passion and jealousy, a reason he rarely leaves where he keeps it. Initially, he does not reveal the influence of greed on him. When he realizes that Bilbo has stolen his cup, rage overcomes him, especially after realizing the imminent danger his possessions were in. in a furious mood, and with a lot of agitation, he storms out in search of the group, only for Bard to shoot him in the chest, subsequently killing him. The dwarves then take away the treasure. The author develops the theme of greed from the beginning of the book to the end. Bilbo has greed for food and comfort. However, these do not overpower him as he manages to live without them for a considerable long time. The dwarves have greed for treasure, a reason why they had to go through all the hurdles in order to steal it. Interestingly, although Smug is a common enemy to the dwarves, they all have similarities. Despite his cleverness and power, just like the dwarves, the hunger for treasure controls him. Tolkien, in the book demonstrated the effects of greed to people. Strongly, he condemns the greedy characters, portrayed by how he destroyed them in the end. Not a single greedy character in the book survived their greedy nature, excepting for Gollum. All the others, such as Thorin and Smug the dragon, perished as a result for their greed. Works Cited Tolkien, J R. R. nThe Hobbit, Or, There and Back Again. Pymble, NSW: HarperCollins ebooks, 2009. Internet resource. Read More