A global phenomenon, The Hobbit has been translated into over 50 different languages. While it was written with young readers in mind, the novel is commonly read by adults and is often required reading for schools around the world.
Over the course of the novel, Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, is recruited to help a group of dwarves on a menacing quest to reclaim their home and treasure. He’s given the role of “burglar,” one he and the dwarves all believe he’s unsuited for. But, as the story progresses, and the group faces growing dangers, he slowly begins to find his courage. The group encounter trolls, elves, orcs, goblins, and eventually Smaug the dragon, who is lording over the dwarves' home and treasure.
Readers of all ages will find several interesting themes in The Hobbit. For the young reader, those of adventure and valiance will be the most prominent and exciting. Thorin and the dwarves' quest to retake their home, The Lonely Mountain, from Smaug, is captivating. Despite the dangers they encounter, Bilbo and the thirteen dwarves show tremendous courage. This contributes heavily to a gripping read.
"Well, thief! I smell you, I hear your breath, I feel your air. Where are you? Come now, don't be shy... step into the light."
Tolkien immerses us with Smaug’s menacing demeanour, as well as the group's thrilling encounters with the orcs, goblins and wargs. The moment one adventure ends, another one begins. Young readers, no matter what they’re interested in, will find something in this novel that excites them. It could be the Battle of the Five Armies or the encounter with Smaug "the great". Maybe it's Bilbo's confrontation with Gollum or the acquisition of the golden ring. Perhaps it's just a combination of these things.
Although Bilbo has shown great bravery and heroism by the end of the story, he doesn't start out as a hero at all. He's just a normal hobbit who lives a normal life. However, when he's taken in under Thorin and his group, he is forced to step up to the table. Despite his acts of heroism and eventual wealth, he remains modest and wishes to live this same lifestyle through to the novel's ending. With this, Tolkien's protagonist is one that most readers can relate to.
There are several other interesting themes that more mature readers of The Hobbit will enjoy. One of these is avarice - a theme that’s incredibly central to the story. While the dwarves do want to take their home back, they’re driven further by their desire to reclaim the vast amounts of wealth waiting for them in the mountain. Their greed, as well as Smaug’s, defines the parameters of the story. As the novel comes to a close, Thorin is undone by his own greed and avarice. Yet in his dying words, he expresses his sorrow:
“ If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
The Hobbit is often compared to its sequel trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. The latter three novels were geared towards the readers of The Hobbit who had matured and were ready to read a much darker story about Middle-earth. These novels lack the same light-hearted and witty tone that Tolkien uses in The Hobbit.
Overall, The Hobbit is brim full of adventure which readers can find value in, regardless of their age. Tolkien is clever with his words. His narrator is playful and humorous, giving life to the many memorable moments of the story. Not only is The Hobbit an exceptional piece of literature in its own right, but it later birthed a trilogy that quickly cemented its place in the literary canon, and deservedly so. It is no wonder why The Hobbit is studied on a global scale and remains one of the most widely-read fictional works of all time
Stay in the know, and check out what I've been reading on The Storygraph:
The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien adventurous, funny, hopeful, inspiring, lighthearted, medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5/5.0 stars
Comments