Never Underestimate Yourself.
Bilbo, like most hobbits, has led a comfortable, pain-free
life. He is wealthy and secluded from the trauma of some of the surrounding
areas. During the beginning of The Hobbit, he doesn’t believe he is qualified
for more than a humdrum existence. However, he soon learns he is capable of great
feats of daring.
When Gandalf and the dwarfs first arrive at Bilbo’s house
to discuss their mission, Bilbo is confused, then terrified. The group has to almost lead him kicking and
screaming into their life-altering quest. However, Bilbo proves he’s up to the challenge
when he continues to discover creative solutions to roadblocks in their
journey.
Embrace Change: Don’t
Remain Stuck in the Past.
Generations of hobbits, especially the Baggins, have been
defined by a lack of passion and creativity. They don’t want to be bothered to
move beyond their borders, literally or figuratively. Bilbo breaks that mold.
He forges new territory for the entire hobbit race.
Don’t Accept Defeat.
Bilbo is faced with many life-threatening difficulties. Yet, he doesn’t cower and accept defeat from
any malevolent creatures. He used his mind, secret weapons, and any available
resource to keep himself alive.
Don’t Limit your Group
to Only People who are the Same as you.
The hobbit is initially intimidated by the variety of beings
he encounters. Some aren’t even humanoid. Yet, he learns the important lesson
that all forms of life have the capacity for nobility. After all, a group of
talking eagles saves him near the beginning of his adventure.
The Accepted Protocol
Doesn’t Always Work.
Bilbo expects his “guests”, the dwarfs and Gandalf, to act
more “guest”-like in the beginning of the book. Yet, the dwarfs and Gandalf
come in expecting immediate hospitality without gratitude. This may have been
the only way to jar Bilbo out of his comfort zone, and Gandalf knew it. If the
wizard had politely notified Bilbo of the arrival of the group as well as the
hazardous mission, the hobbit would probably have refused to participate.
Listen to your Mentors.
Bilbo’s mentor, Gandalf the wizard, believes in him from the
beginning. Gandalf expects Bilbo to be strong, and he shows his charge the way
to do so.
You can Resist Evil;
there’s a Hidden Light in you.
Gandalf chooses Bilbo to go with the group because he knows the
hobbit is pure in heart and emotionally stable. He is able to see Bilbo’s inner
strength even though Bilbo isn’t.
My Conclusion
The themes and three-dimensional characters of J.R.R Tolkien’s
The Hobbit are as meaningful now as
they were almost seven decades ago. The dedication, purity, and courage of the
main character, Bilbo Baggins, is an
inspiration to us all.
