Tolkiens Use of Humour in The Hobbit - Essay Example

Tolkien’s Use of Humour in “The Hobbit” The Hobbit or There And Back Again, popularly known as The Hobbit to the world was written by J. R. R. Tolkien. The book is predominantly treated as a fictional novel for the children and it was published 21st of September of 1973. The book is recognized since ages as one of the best juvenile fictions and is critically acclaimed all over at the same time. The critical acclamations and the financial successes of the book inspired to create the sequel of The Hobbit and it came along with the name, “The Lord of the Rings”. At the outset, this juvenile fiction might occur as a literary piece decked up with symbols and buildungsroman of a quest loving hobbit, Bilbo Baggins and his home-ward journey. But an inherent focus to the story line of the novel would easily launch its readers to a realm where every reader gets very easy instructions of the symbols operating behind the apparent plot of the novel manifested through the explicit use of wit, sarcasm and humour. This essay intends to explore the manifold ways, the wit, sarcasm and humour that operate throughout the plot of the novel. Authorial Techniques and Sources from which the Novel Draws its Wit The novel The Hobbit is decked up with humour. Sarcasm and implementation of wit is abundant throughout the novel. Before analysing the incorporation of wit into the plot of the novel, it is important to analyse the style of writing or the authorial techniques manifested in the novel. The prose crafted by Tolkien is devoid of any pretentions and is presented before its readers in a very straightforward way delivering the detailed description of the imaginary world in a very make-belief way. He introduces something very innovative or inventive in a way that suggests an appearance in a very casual manner. This technique is employed by the author to form an acceptance in the mind of the readers to an imaginative world. The novel The Hobbit is written in a very simple way giving it a pragmatic feel but all the characters of the novel are rendered as unique and separate voices. As regards to the incorporation of wit or funny element which can be treated as a comic relief in this regard appears along with the mention of very grave issues presented in the novel. The undercurrent of the issue somewhere becomes subverted with the humorous dialogue presented in a very onomatopoeic way and the seriousness of the situation undercuts easily through the funny alliterations presented, “Clap! Snap! the black crack! Grip, grab! Pinch, nab! And down down to Goblin-town You go, my lad!” (Tolkien, “The Hobbit: or There and Back Again”) But at the same time Tolkien shows an effective balance between humour and danger in the novel through many other funny situations as well. He makes his characters appear quite foolish and the Cockney dialect used by the trolls along with the drunken scene of the eleven captors is an example of the exquisite blend in the novel. Tolkien draws his characters and witty situations of the novel from myriad sources. His profound knowledge on the myth, languages and history of Northern European literature helped him a lot in this area. The name like Gandalf and the concept of thirteen dwarves were directly incorporated form the poem, ‘Volupsa’. The influence of the Anglo-Saxon runes is quite pertinent in the novel and this can be felt in the use of the illustrations manifested and implemented by the author. However Tolkien cannot be only said to be banking upon his knowledge on history and he does not just incorporate all the funny names from various Anglo-Saxon literature. For linguistic styles, the relationship between the old and the new is celebrated as a major theme in the novel. Serious Tone Made Light-Hearted The most important factor in discussing The Hobbit and its plot lies in the fact that the novel is basically written keeping the psychological development, maturity and acceptability of a child. It is primarily a juvenile fiction targeted to amuse the children. Animism can be seen as very crucial theme for the novel. Also a very serious effect of anthropology can be felt inherent in the plot of the novel. But all these serious themes are depicted quite sensibly and lightly in the play through the role of the dwarves and their presentation is adequately funny to remove the serious attention and grasp the sublime amusement from the novel. This is seen even in projecting the protagonist of the novel, Bilbo. His appearance is small and he is found to be obsessed with food and is ambiguous. Getting over the vices like greed and excessive material desire is the central motif of the novel and it is depicted in a very light way when in many of the episodes Bilbo or dwarves’ greed is expressed through passion for food. Dragon Smaug is a symbol here but he is depicted as the epitome for material pursuit and in order to grab jewels and keep them in his possessions he can even kill and abduct people. The chase of the Goblins are also rescued by some actions and the reconciliation of wounded Thorin with Bilbo before his death can be also treated as the same phenomena where a grave situation is made light by the author through pity, love and compassion. The Hobbit is Primarily a Comedy The novel, “The Hobbit” is primarily a comedy. The adventure and the most serious events of the plot have a comic touch in the novel bringing a kind of relief to the minds of the readers and generally the novel amuses all. All the characters of the novel, Bilbo, Thorin, Elves, Dwarves, Goblins and even the prominent antagonist, Smaug the dragon are given very funny appearances. All the characters have some typical nature and habit which make them funnier like the overeating nature of Bilbo. The dialects and events of the plot suddenly break out to undercut the very serious tone or situation of the novel and most importantly, the novel has an omnipotent narrator who has a very funny and strong individual voice in the novel. The novel is more comfortably reached out to the children when it is read aloud and overall, it builds a very funny and comical environment. Reference Tolkien, J. R. R. The Hobbit: or There and Back Again. Mariner Books, 1989. Bibliography Lobdell, Jarred. A Tolkien compass: Including J. R. R. Tolkiens Guide to the names in The lord of the Rings, Open Court Publishing, 1975. Sullivan, C. W. & Sullivan, C. W. International Companion Encyclopedia of Childrens Literature. Taylor & Francis, 1996. Timmerman, John. Other Worlds. Popular Press, 1983. Read More