“The Hobbit” by J. R. R. Tolkien

This paper is a book report on “The Hobbit” by J. R. R. Tolkien. “The Hobbit” is the first book by Tolkien that led to “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy that was made into very successful films. It is the story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who leaves his home Hobbiton to set out on a great adventure with the wizard Gandalf. Along the way Bilbo has many adventures – he meets trolls, elves, a dragon named Smaug, goblins, and the evil Gollum. Bilbo finds the “ring” that went on to create the other books, and takes it after Gollum loses it. He finally returns home, bringing the ring with him, and the story ends happily.

This book is a fantasy tale, because it is a story about things that do not exist, like trolls and goblins and wizards. The world is “fantastic,” and not real, and that makes it a fantasy. First, the author creates a totally fictional world that does not exist, and even creates the language of the runes to go with it. The author also fills the book with details that are made up and fantastic, such as his descriptions of Bilbo. He writes, “There is little or no magic about them, except the ordinary everyday sort which helps them to disappear quietly and quickly when large stupid folk like you and me come blundering along, making a noise like elephants which they can hear a mile off” (Tolkien 2). This is an unreal fantasy world with unreal characters, and that fits with the genre of the book.

From a Christian point of view, there are many evil characters in the book, and evil doings. The book is about the age-old struggle between good and evil, and in the end, the virtuous character wins, and is rewarded with a good life. Smaug could be seen as the devil, and he is destroyed. Tolkien writes, “Smaug came hurtling in from the North, licking the mountain-sides with flame, beating his great wings with a noise like a roaring wind.

His hot breath shrivelled the grass before the door, and drove in through the crack they had left and scorched them as they hid” (Tolkien 217). Bilbo’s adventure can be seen as a spiritual adventure that awakens the spiritual side of him and changes him forever. Back home in the Shire he is safe, warm, and secure, and his journey helps make it secure for the rest of the Hobbits, too. He is like a savior, or a Moses, who makes a great journey and leads his people to safety and security, and this is a valuable Christian lesson. Bilbo is pure and good, and so he is a good role model for the reader, too.

The book is very well written and is considered a classic in fantasy literature. The writer has many strengths, and knows how to really develop a fantasy world. He even creates the maps and the documents that go along with the adventure. It seems like he invested quite a lot of time in the details of this book, and that is why it is such a good book. He creates memorable characters and situations, and the book seems to come alive. There are not really any parts that should be developed more; in fact, the book is very detailed and clear. It is interesting to read, and makes the reader smile in many places.

In conclusion, this is an excellent book for anyone who enjoys fantasy and well written stories about other worlds. My particular favorite part of the book was the ending, where Bilbo was happy and content again. When Gandalf tells him he is “only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!” (Tolkien 303), it made me think of our own time here on Earth, and how insignificant we are in relationship to God and his universe.

We are very little people in that world, and yet, our lives are important and it is important to live God’s word to make our insignificant lives more significant. I think this book could be taken badly by some people, because of all the evil in it, but I think it is a very good book, and I would recommend it. I think it has a Christian message and it is important to see it as you read the book.

References
Tolkein, J. R. R. The Hobbit: or There and Back Again (Revised Edition). New York: Ballantine Books, 1982.