Many of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, especially his book The Hobbit, are classic stories that
have successfully woven a tale based on the structure of the Hero’s Journey
pattern. While the characters and overall world are completely unique and well
orchestrated, the plot follows the Hero’s Journey scrupulously.
The
protagonist, Bilbo Baggins, is a unique hero for this journey, as he is a
middle-aged hobbit at 50 years old, and generally has no desire for romance,
adventure, or anything outside his hobbit-hole, which serves as the “ordinary
world” from the Hero’s Journey. The “call to adventure” comes when 13 dwarves
(plus Gandalf, “the mentor”) ask Bilbo to join them on their quest to kick a
dragon out of their house. Following the formula, he “refuses the call”, since
he likes his cozy life, then says screw it all and joins them last minute the
next morning. For his “road of trials” Bilbo encounters numerous enemies,
allies, and tests, including, but not limited to: trolls, elves, giant spiders,
giant birds, orcs, humans, a creep whose only friend is a ring (Gollum), and, of
course, the dragon. After many ordeals, Bilbo and co. finally reach “the
approach”, going up the dwarves’ mountain to kick out their rude freeloader.
Bilbo’s “ordeal” would be his confrontation with the dragon moocher Smaug, and
the chaos and fighting that follows. The “reward” that follows would be Bilbo’s
share of Smaug’s treasure horde, as well as his magic fashion accessory (the
One Ring), which got him through half of the journey. On “the road back”, Bilbo
journeys home to his hobbit hole, where everyone presumes him dead, giving way
to “the resurrection”, where he proves he is not dead to the neighbor’s
auctioning off his silverware and other possessions. Thus, he “returns with the
elixir”, and his life returns relatively to normal, while his fashion accessory
waits around for its time to come back into style.
Aside from
the main outline of the Hero’s Journey in The
Hobbit, there are also several subtler points in the story that relate back
to the classic structure. For example, Bilbo’s “atonement of the father” and
his “atonement of the mother/meeting with the goddess”, can be seen in his
struggle with his lineage, between his normal “Baggins” side and his wild and
adventurous “Took” heritage from his mother. By finding a balance between his ordinary/homely
side and his courageous side on his adventure, Bilbo reconciles his ancestry.
Overall,
the Hobbit is a beautifully re-imagined tale of the Hero’s Journey, with a truly
immersive world and unique characters to give the classic tale a fascinating and
bewitching twist.
I found it really interesting that you mentioned him being older on the hero's journey. It had never even really occurred to me. I think this adds a richness and a depth to some of your later points. When he struggled with his "Took" versus "Baggins" identity, he was already thoroughly grounded in what it meant to be a Baggins. He had grown enough to accept that as who he was. This would contrast a younger hero who might even be looking for a way to rebel against what their family stands for. I think this makes it much harder in a way for Bilbo to escape what he's known his whole life to embark on his adventure.
ReplyDelete