Juvenilia ✔/ a Nonfiction Undergraduate University Collection

On Bilbo Baggins - A Seminar

ENGLISH 3709

Children's Literature

November 1st, 2021

On Bilbo Baggins

(A PowerPoint Presentation Transcript)

At the beginning of The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins is what I have dubbed "A Reluctant Companion". His character development is fantastic, and I have divided my presentation into 2 parts: 

Part I: The Reluctant Companion

An Unexpected Party

Roast Mutton

Over Hill and Under Hill

Riddles in the Dark

Part II: The Hero Born

Flies and Spiders

Barrels Out of Bond

Inside Information

A Thief in the Night

Part I of my presentation will focus on Bilbo and his acclimatization towards 'adventures' from both a self-developmental standpoint as well as in shifting social dynamics. 

Part 1 shows a Bilbo that is slightly unfocused, unsure, and untried; he is not a blended part of the group and tends to be an outsider beyond species variation. 

Part II shows a Bilbo that believes in himself and his acquired abilities. He is confident, quick, courageous, bold, and demonstrates remarkable leadership qualities towards conflict resolution. Finale-Bilbo is a far-cry from opening Bilbo:

"Sorry! I don't want any adventures, thank you. Not today. Good morning! But please come to tea—any time you like! Why not tomorrow? Come tomorrow! Good-bye!" ~The Hobbit, pg. 2

PART 1: The Reluctant Companion

An Unexpected Party

"Gandalf sat at the head of the party with the thirteen dwarves all round: and Bilbo sat on a stool at the fireside, nibbling at a biscuit (his appetite quite taken away), and trying to look as if this was all perfectly ordinary and not in the least an adventure."

~The Hobbit, pg. 26

Bilbo Baggins, a perfectly respectable hobbit, does not want to go on an adventure. He is perfectly comfortable in his cozy hobbit hole and does not wish to join Gandalf on a disruptive excursion. Expecting an old friend to swing by, imagine Bilbo's surprise when his house becomes full of dwarves! 

They drink and eat and sing and recruit Bilbo's services as 'The Burglar' for a dangerous adventure. He wants to imagine the night was a bad, bad dream. Come morning, he quickly finds his reality all too real. 

Bilbo's character at the beginning of the story is soft; his biggest problem is leaving his handkerchief at home. Even at dinner he is an outsider in his own home, but it is of his own doing. When he embraces his 'Took' side, not only does he belong, but he becomes the leader.

"'I'm awfully sorry,' said Bilbo, 'but I have come without my hat, and I have left my pocket-handkerchief behind , and I haven't got any money." (38)