Lecture Notes: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Characters

• Bilbo Baggins: A hobbit who enjoys a quiet life in Bag End.
• Gandalf: A wizard who initiates the adventure.
• Thorin: The leader of the dwarves.
• Smaug: A dragon who has stolen the dwarves' treasure.
• Gollum: A creature living in the Misty Mountains who possesses the ring.
• Bard: The human who kills Smaug.

Plot Summary

Introduction

• Bilbo is a hobbit who prefers staying home and relaxing.
• Gandalf and 13 dwarves arrive at Bilbo’s home.
• They convince Bilbo to join an adventure to reclaim the dwarves' treasure from Smaug.

Journey and Challenges

• The group encounters trolls and elves.
• In the Misty Mountains, they are attacked by goblins and get separated.
• Bilbo finds a magic ring that grants invisibility.
• Using the ring, Bilbo escapes Gollum and reunites with the dwarves.

Arrival at the Lonely Mountain

• Bilbo sneaks into Smaug’s lair using the ring and steals some treasure.
• Smaug retaliates by attacking nearby towns and is killed by Bard.

Conflict and Resolution

• Humans demand a share of the treasure for the damage Smaug caused.
• Thorin refuses, nearly causing a war.
• Gandalf warns of an impending goblin and warg attack.
• Elves, men, and dwarves unite to defeat the goblins and wargs.
• Thorin is fatally injured and reconciles with Bilbo before dying.

Conclusion

• Bilbo returns home with a portion of the treasure.
• Reflects on his growth from reluctant adventurer to a courageous hero.

Themes

Dragon Sickness

• Represents the destructive nature of greed.
• Smaug’s obsession with treasure destroys the land.
• Thorin also falls victim to greed, leading to conflict and his eventual death.

Greed and Self-Destruction

• Characters such as trolls are undone by their own greed and evil tendencies.

Literary Connections

• Similar themes in “The Ring Cycle” by Richard Wagner.
• Both works discuss the corrupting power of greed.
• Thorin’s realization about values contrasts with Wagner's view on acquiring wealth.

Conclusion

• The story illustrates the growth of Bilbo from a cautious hobbit to a brave hero.
• Highlights the moral that greed can lead to self-destruction.

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