That's the question children ask when they read or hear a story.
For grown-ups (which is not necessarily a better or richer stage of life than childhood) the question becomes, "Is it true?"
We all know that Smaug isn't real (or do we...?), but could he possibly by true? That is, is Smaug a dragon as dragons should be, a monster with meaning, an enemy that must be carefully considered?
Some readers - including me - would argue that The Hobbit is TRUE even if it is not REAL. One thing that makes The Hobbit true for me is the scene between Gandalf and Beorn. Gandalf's clever manipulation of the dwarves' entry, his ability to string Beorn along with a stop-start-stop-start narrative, his wit in choosing just the right word to spin things his way - these are all things that I've seen in "real" life. The strategy, tone, and style are all familiar in their own way.
Is The Hobbit true for you? Why or why not? Please steer clear of simplistic generalizations: "I just really love it, you know?" Provide a clear example and explanation for your judgment. And avoid using broad examples that can't be pinned down. Pick a specific character, scene, conversation, setting, or description, and then break down for us how that example = true.
Comments are due by MIDNIGHT, MONDAY 3 DECEMBER.
To me, The Hobbit is a true story. There are many parts within the story that made me feel as though it was a true story, but the scene that really made me feel that way was the conversation between Smaug and Bilbo in the Lonely Mountain. On page 244, Smaug attempted to convince Bilbo that he was fighting for the wrong "people." He says "A fourteenth share, I suppose, or something like it, those were the terms, eh?" It is evident that he is beginning to change Bilbo's mind when the narrator says "You will hardly believe it, but poor Bilbo was really taken aback" (page 244). Smaug had convinced him enough that "a nasty suspicion began to grow in his mind" (page 244).
ReplyDeleteThis is the scene in which the story became "true" to me because this has happened to me and I have seen it happen to others. A person will get caught up in the adrenaline and excitement of a new adventure or idea and completely forget to think about the consequences that will happen once it is over. When a person whom is against the adventure points out the flaws, the "nasty suspicion" begins to grow (page 244). Many children and adults are likely to relate to this scene because they have gone through a similar situation, especially children.
What makes a story "true" is the book's "ability" to allow readers to relate to the story and make them feel as though it is "real." By putting in this scene, Tolkien makes the story "true" because he used a "real life" situation that the reader can and will continue to relate to.
The Hobbit is true for me because a lot of the things that Bilbo goes through, I am able to relate with. The scene/example that I think makes The Hobbit true for me is the beginning scene of where Gandalf introduces the whole journey to Bilbo. Bilbo rejects that adventure/journey because he feels as if it is not for him at all. Bilbo continues to be in denial even though Gandalf insists that Bilbo is the one traveler that will be able to lead the dwarves to take back the jewelry that was once Thorin’s. This whole beginning scene is where it is relatable to me and makes this story true to me mainly because I have probably felt the same way Bilbo has felt. Bilbo did not want to go on the journey because of all the hassle and dangers he would probably encounter with the dwarves, however he still has an inner curiosity that makes him want to go on this journey because of the adventure in store for him. Like Bilbo, often times when a certain “adventure” or situation comes up, I always think of the possible consequences that might come with my decision. And, like Bilbo in the scene where he feels relieved after finding the dwarves and Gandalf gone in the morning, I know what that feels like, when you no longer feel responsible or committed to something. Another scene in the beginning of the book that makes this story true to me is when Bilbo overhears the dwarves telling Gandalf that they think Bilbo is not/should not be the chosen one to go on the journey with them. (pg 21 “Will he do, do you think?...He looks more like a grocer than a burglar!”) Out of natural reaction, Bilbo defends himself saying “that you think I am no good…Tell me what you want done, and I will try it, if I have to walk from here to the east to east and fight off the wild were-worms in the last desert.” (22). Bilbo defends himself and I think that naturally, most people would also react that way. Overall, I think that Bilbo is a character who has similar thinking processes that makes The Hobbit a true story.
ReplyDeleteI would agree that the Hobbit has that true feeling to it, whether or not it is real. For me, Biblo's personality and character is what really sold me. He acts just like a person in the 'real' world would act in these situations he is presented with. He isn't portrayed to be some super brave hero or invincible being, he is just a normal, everyday kind of guy (hobbit..?). Some examples are how he feels homesick while he is away, and mentions many a time that he wishes he were back home in his hole. Another way is how he is afraid of the spiders, goblins, trolls, etc. He is really quite fearful of a lot of things, which makes his character more believable and relatable (because I would definitely be scared out of my mind of those spiders and the Wargs). My favorite trait of Bilbo that I find so true is how 'sassy' he is, for lack of a better word. Whenever the dwarves start turning on him or yelling at him, Bilbo stands his ground and they have these little (sometimes petty) arguments. These tiny fights are exactly what would happen if you had been traveling with people for months on end and tensions were running high – they make it believable. If Bilbo didn’t get a little angry with them sometimes, if everyone got along, I wouldn’t buy the story much at all. This happens a LOT throughout the book, but my favorite example is when the dwarves get out of the barrels and Thorin is being mean to Bilbo because of how uncomfortable the ride was. Bilbo says, “Well, are you alive or are you dead? Are you still in prison or are you free? If you want food, and if you want to go on with this silly adventure – it’s yours after all and not mine – you had better slap your arms and rub your legs and try and help me get the others out while there is chance!” (page 210).
ReplyDeleteI believe The Hobbit is true because there are many moments of internal conflict within the minds of Bilbo and the dwarves. A scene that makes this novel true for me is when Thorin and company are in the forest after they’ve gone off the path and are lost. The first reality about this scene is when the dwarves and Bilbo are tempted off the path by the light of an elvish feast. Thorin and company leave the path even though they were warned many times not to do so by Beorn and Gandalf. This is real to me because it is obvious that in real life people fall under temptation and make the wrong decision. What makes this scene even truer is after the dwarves and Bilbo are lost in the forest afraid and hungry; they see the lights from elves having a feast yet again and approach them. When they step into the light of the elves they disappear and the forest goes dark. This leaves the company even more lost than before. After composing themselves, they see the light yet again and the same thing happens. And then again. Even though this happens multiple times, the gang still tries to find the light and get to the elvish feast. This is true for me because I see others, and myself, try the same things over and over again even though they get the same results. Temptation gets the best of us sometimes, and this is a repeating theme seen in The Hobbit.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the Hobbit is true because of the many things that Bilbo’s character goes through and how he overcomes these and is a changed Hobbit by the end of the journey. At the beginning of the journey Bilbo is always stated thinking that he wants to go home by his fire in his nice chair and just relax. After his many adventures there is less and less reference to his chair at home and his comfy hole but he starts to actually enjoy the journey and adventures. There are many times in life where I would just like to enjoy a nice night in but then I get talked into going to do something and end up having a lot of fun and enjoying myself. I saw this playing out in the Hobbit a fair number of times. Another part of Bilbo’s character was that a lot of Bilbo’s biggest growth moments happen when he is alone. In life a person does make the biggest growth when they are alone and don’t have anyone else to rely on. This is the aspect of the book that made it the most real to me, however there are many other instances in the book and with Bilbo’s character alone that make this seem very real.
ReplyDeleteFor me, this story is very true, for many reasons. Bilbo's personality and growth is a big part of that, as has been stated above. But I think another part of it's truth comes in the return journey. Most stories will just go straight from winning the victory to them being at home living happily ever after. Real life never turns out like that, and it irritates me every time a story does this. In The Hobbit, Bilbo and Gandalf still have to make a dangerous journey to get home, and especially dangerous now that they have all this gold and other riches to bring along as well. A lot of things are explained here as well, like why the goblins aren't as big of a problem on the return journey, what happened to Beorn afterwards, and where Gandalf had run off to during the adventure. A lot of times, I think authors just cop out with a quick resolution where everything is resolved nicely and perfectly. Here, Bilbo gets back and all of his things are being sold off, which I think is both hilarious and true. Life doesn't stop just because you go on an adventure, and it isn't perfect after you win the great battle. I enjoyed the fact that there was still the pesky problem of buying back his things for Bilbo, and that he lost his respectability in the eyes of the other Hobbits. Whether you're doing an act for good or ill, you'll always have those who don't quite agree with you. This book does a great job showing that life after the climax is not really happily ever after.
ReplyDeleteFor me I do feel that it is true. I have seen many scenes in this book that I have seen in real life. One scene that I like, but that makes me sad is when Bilbo Baggins comes home and his house is being auctioned off. (326) He was trying to be a good person and not take the money that Gandalf offered to him, but Gandalf knew he would need it. This happens in life a lot. Someone will offer money to their friend or family member and the other person acts polite and rejects the money. No one wants to take money from someone else because they don’t want to look greedy. Then when Bilbo sees his house being picked over he realizes he does need to money so he can get his belongings back and fix his house up. This has happened to me before. My mom thinks I have not used something in a long time so she will give it to someone that would use it or she throws it away. Then I have to try and get it back because it is something that I liked a lot even if I had not used in a while. This was Bilbo’s case. He had not been at his house in over a year so people thought he would not use his stuff anymore. Bilbo then has to be greedy to get his stuff back. This happens in life many times. Nice people never want to be mean or greedy, but when their stuff has been taken they have to be a little aggressive to get it back. Bilbo was not able to get all his belongs back, but he was okay with it because he had made life-long friends on his adventure and had great memories.(328) I feel that is a very true scene; in real life, people make life-long friends that they would have never expected until they try something for the first time. For me I did not want to go away to college or join a sorority, but once I just tried I have really enjoyed my time and made great friends and memories that I will have forever. I do feel that the Hobbit is a true story and has many scenes in the book that makes it feel that way.
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit is very true for me. One part of the book that makes it true for me is when the dwarves and Bilbo get off track when they are desperate for food. Beorn and Gandalf told the group numerous times not to leave the path. However, under certain circumstances there is temptation on the group to veer off the path because they see a feast. It is like a mirage in the desert that they keep falling for. In stories of being lost in the desert, desperate for water, a mirage in the distance can fool someone every time because they are desperate to get water. The dwarves and Bilbo fall for the feast of elves three times. Most likely, they would’ve fallen for it more, but spiders catch them. Even though the feast is real, it is still like a mirage because the group is desperate for food, but no matter how much they try they will not get any.
ReplyDeleteWhat also makes this book true is how the group feels regret in this part of the story. “O! Why did we not remember Beorn’s advice, and Gandalf’s!” (170). This feeling of regret of not listening to the simple instructions happens in real life, which makes this story true to me. Everyone faces regret once in awhile because everyone makes mistakes and no one is perfect.
The story is very true for me and I know this is true because once I sit down and read The Hobbit the story actually draws me into the text. This I don't think would be very possible if there wasn't a point in the book that I find to be true. Much of the story is true for me. Especially the part where Bilbo and even the dwarves long to be home and with loved ones. Bilbo through out the text longs to be home with the going gets really tough. I imagine that myself on a weekly basis wishing to be home from my location with a familiar surroundings and faces. The dwarves wish the same, after all they aren't just going to defeat Smaug because they want the treasure, they also want to get their home back. And in the real world that type of experience happens all the time when people wish to keep a house or even buy back a house that part of the family has grown up in. This longing for the sense of home is very true and the opportunities we give up and the adventures and experiences we have in the process make us more appreciative of that sense more so than we had before. The Hobbit is a prime example of this true sense of books as it is a primary theme of the entire book.
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit feels true to me because of how it portrays both friendship and tragedy. The companionship between Bilbo and the dwarves that is cultivated through their adventures and long journey is something that feels genuine. When Bilbo first meets the dwarves in his home, he does his best to be well-mannered and accommodating although he does not personally care for them. By the time Thorin and Company reaches the Lonely Mountain I feel that they have been brought together through their many trials. Balin even goes out of his way to accompany Bilbo partway down the tunnel to Smaug which is out of nature for dwarves according to Tolkien (231).
ReplyDeleteTragedy strikes when Thorin allows the Arkenstone to come between him and Bilbo. Thorin is blinded by lust for the Arkenstone and repudiates Bilbo until they reconcile on Thorin’s deathbed. I feel that the death of Thorin has a great impact on the “truth” of the story. The death of Thorin, Fili, and Kili shows us the mortality of our heroes and the unavoidable tragedy that violence is sure to bring. It’s not random, no-name soldiers that die, but the friends that we have traveled with and fought beside.
Even though the main protagonists in The Hobbit are dwarves and hobbits, the story is very human at its core and portrays instances that certainly resonated with me.
The Hobbit is very true for me and without the fantasy elements like elves, hobbits and goblins I wouldn’t have had any trouble at all seeing this happen in our world today. The thing that made this book so true and believable is Bilbo’s life before and after the journey. It is in direct parallel to the transformation that has happened to me over the last couple years.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of the novel, Bilbo is living his safe life with his safe friends. This was like me for most of my freshman year and half of my second year here at Purdue. I had followed many of close friends here from my high school and didn’t really have that many other friends. Then I joined a business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, but still was very reluctant to open up to these new people. Now I consider the other fifty of my brothers some of my closest friends. This is like Bilbo because he reluctantly joined the journey and ended up making close friendships with the dwarves and Gandalf along the way. Now he has the friendships to build upon and came back home a changed person. His surroundings in his house even changed at the end as he put things around the house that made him think about his journey. “His sword he hung over the mantelpiece. His coat of mail was arranged on a stand in the hall (until he lent it to a Museum)” (327). This again is like me now since my paddle I got after pledging is hanging on my wall and my fraternity sweatshirts are hung on the coatrack. Bilbo and I went from safe lives, embarked on a journey and now have new lifelong friends. This is why The Hobbit feels very true to me since I went through the transformation with Bilbo.
I would definitely argue that The Hobbit is true. What makes it so in my opinion is the personal growth shown by Bilbo and the relationships he develops with Gandalf and the dwarves. An example of this is when Bilbo reveals to the dwarves that he found the ring after he escapes the goblin caves. At first he is reluctant, but when faced with danger and sees that his friends are also in a perilous situation, he quickly recovers from his greed of keeping the secret of the ring to himself and instead saves his friends. This represents his continuing maturity and personal growth. He used to live alone and be accountable for only himself, but now he must care for others as well and help out when needed. Not only does this illustrate his personal growth, but also shows how his relationship with the dwarves is growing. Though he resents their presence at first, he comes to realize that they are helping him to grow up and learn that he does not need to be afraid of getting close to others. Since this is an issue that is present in many people’s lives, it makes the story more relatable to readers, which in turn brings it to life and causes it to seem true to me.
ReplyDeleteThe part of the Hobbit that I was really able to connect and made to book feel real to me was at the very begging when Bilbo sleeps in after a long afternoon of serving his guests. This may seem like a weird thing to connect with in a story but I feel that in today's world many of really love our morning sleep. It's so familiar to me to see people who want to take a slow personal morning after a late hectic night. It made me smile to watch Bilbo pamper himself in the morning and then get thrown the curve ball by Gandalf that the Dwarves were waiting for him. The way he had to drop everything and just run out the door really hit home for me as a college student with a crazy schedule.
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit is not true for me. I have to say that even before I begin to read a book, I was in the mind frame of "reading a fairy tale" so perhaps I did not have the suspension of disbelief required to truly empathize with these creatures. Every time I pick up the book, I feel placed inside a fairytale that I can quickly jump out of. When I read words such as goblin, dwarves and hobbit, I'm constantly reminded that this book is not real, thus the book does not something I can immerse myself into. What this book lacks to make it a “true” story is a believable setting. Descriptions such as “The bushes, and the long grasses between the boulders, the patches of rabbit-cropped turf, the thyme and the sage and the marjoram, and the yellow rockroses all vanished, and they found themselves at the top of a wide steep slope of fallen stones…” (p.107) make it a true story, but quick transition turns it back into just a story. Having a story that does not throw curve balls such as spiders that tie up dwarves (p.169) or include dragons that know when they are being robbed. (p.236) When I read descriptions like these, it takes something out of the immersion. How am I supposed to relate to descriptions like these? Because I start with the mind frame of reading a fairytale, I cannot imagine this book ever being true.
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit feels very true at many different points in the story. The whole story is not true to me, but personal conversations between characters, fears, and adventures are easy to relate to in the real world.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Bilbo and Gandalf sometimes reminds me of the relationship between a young boy and his father or grandfather. Bilbo looks up to Gandalf more than anyone that is involved in their adventure. He trust Gandalf and does want Gandalf wants him to do. I don't believe that Gandalf had to bed Bilbo to go on an adventure. Gandalf just had to do some convincing and Bilbo took this opportunity because he trust Gandalf like a father. Bilbo also looks to Gandalf to get him and his friends out of any danger. One of his fears is Gandalf leaving the group. Although, Gandalf is not present for the majority of the story the relationship between Bilbo and Gandalf feel realistic.
In my opinion, The Hobbit is a true story. The characters are not all static (some of the dwarves are) and they have personalities that develop over time. Bilbo is not always brave, but he steps up to the challenge when facing Smaug or Gollum. For me, the story really rings true when the group is marching through the forest. Everyone groans about the dark and the hunger almost constantly. I can really relate to this feeling because I’m tired after an hour of walking in the woods. I’m cold, my feet ache, and I probably have to pee. The path usually is not very well marked and it always seems to take forever. In The Hobbit, they dwarves complain and moan just like I would. The character’s fault bring life to them, which makes them true because no one in reality is static. It’s to the point where they can’t take blindly following the path anymore. They would do anything for food and company. Thorin and how he changes when the treasure is recovered also contributes to the book’s truth. Once he acquires all these riches, he thinks that it can make him happy, just like people who win the lottery. However, lottery winners are more likely to commit suicide because they realize that money cannot make them happy. Thorin is willing to starve during the winter rather than turn over one piece of his massive treasure. Wealth changes people and Thorin is no exception.
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ReplyDeleteYes indeed, The Hobbit is a very true story for me, because even though I unfortunately live far from Middle Earth, as I read I was able to identify multiple situations that I had experienced in my own life or seen others experience.
ReplyDeleteBilbo is the poster child for passive aggression at the very beginning of the story, when a seemingly endless stream of dwarves arrives at his front door and each one has the audacity to place a custom order for tea--“what’s that? Tea? No thank you! A little red wine, I think, for me….and pork-pie and salad” (p.13). Although he is very upset and annoyed by the demands of the dwarves, he doesn’t express his true feelings or ask them to help. I’m sure trying to accommodate difficult, demanding guests and feeling like we’re being taken advantage of is a situation most of us have been in before, but instead of simply asking our guests to help in a polite way, we’ve bottled up our feelings and expressed them in passive-aggressive ways.
As the story progresses, Bilbo begins to use the ring to become invisible not only when it is necessary to save himself and the dwarves from immediate danger, but also in situations where it is simply convenient to be invisible. Now, it is true that at this point, the events of The Lord of the Rings have not taken place yet and we don’t know the full implication of the ring. We (and Bilbo) just see the ring as a useful “magical” item that Bilbo had the incredible luck to find. Why shouldn’t he use it when convenient? However, it does seem as if Bilbo begins to abuse a privilege. I was very disappointed in Bilbo for using the ring to slip quietly away and avoid any participation in The Battle of the Five Armies. Bilbo continues to use the ring in convenient situations after he returns to the Shire, and “he chiefly used it when unpleasant callers came”(p.327). Like Bilbo, I’ve experienced situations where I began to abuse a privilege. My manager allowed me to come in late to work several days one week when I truly needed the extra time to work on a project, but I began to abuse the privilege to come in whenever I chose, even on days when I didn’t need the extra time at all.
Bilbo was never recognized for finding the hollow in the dragon’s jeweled armor, even though it was his discovery that directly led to Smaug’s death (with the help of the thrush) and resulted in the distribution of the treasure and Thorin’s restoration to his rightful place as King under the Mountain. Bilbo “did not, of course, expect that any one would remember that it was he who discovered all by himself the dragon’s weak spot; and that was just as well, for no one ever did” (p.286). It’s quite true that sometimes you think of an amazing idea that you’re really proud of and then nobody ends up remembering that you were the one to come up with it originally.
My examples all seem to be negative, but I didn’t mean for it to end up that way at all. The Hobbit is a fantastic (literally) work of fiction, and the fact that it includes situations that readers can identify with in their own lives makes it even more endearing and enduring.
There are many elements in The Hobbit that make it true, and one that stood out for me was the relationship between Bilbo and the dwarves. I feel that it is accurate in portraying how groups accept a new member who happens to be a little different. The dwarves were hesitant about Bilbo at first, but he gained their respect over time. Toward the beginning, the dwarves thought of Bilbo as more of a burden, and Bilbo wasn't too thrilled about being with them either. "'Why, O why did I ever leave my hobbit-hole!' said poor Mr. Baggins bumping up and down on Bombur's back. 'Why, O why did I ever bring a wretched little hobbit on a treasure hunt!' said poor Bombur, who was fat, and staggered along with the sweat dripping down his nose in his heat and terror." After being together long enough, going through adventures, and helping each other out, they get along much better, which is usually what happens. By the end of the book, dwarves are visiting Bilbo in his home in Hobbiton. The book was more "realistic" because Bilbo and the dwarves didn't instantly become best friends, and that it took time to happen. I also found Bombur to be an interesting character that aided in making The Hobbit true, as well as adding some comic relief. I'm sure everyone knows someone like Bombur, and I immediately thought of someone I know who shares his awkward and humorous personality.
ReplyDeleteI believe that The Hobbit is true. There are many things that lead me to believe in this story. One of the main things being how both Bilbo and Beorn could not turn down the "visitors" as they arrived by one or pairs. To me this is true because there are many instances in my life where if something would be thrown at me all at once I would become overwhelmed and declined. However when it is approached gradually I am more likely to accept. Another thing that makes The Hobbit true to me is Bilbo's internal struggle to do what he believes he should do and what he wants to do. For example when Gandolf and Thorin are talking about the journey ahead and how Gandolf believes Bilbo is to be apart of it. The whole time hearing this Bilbo is dealing with the inner conflict of why he should decline as a hobbit and with the part of him that craves the adventure/prove himself. I feel these both are accurate displays of how the human mind tends to work.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that while many of the situations described in The Hobbit are not real, but can ring very true in my daily life. The best example of this is when Bilbo approaches the Giants and attempts to be a ‘burglar’ for the first time on page 39. Bilbo does not approach the giants because he wants to, but because he feels that he has something to prove or live up to. I think nearly everyone in the class can relate to a situation like this. So often we act only because we are trying to live up to the expectations of someone else, weather it be a parent, a peer, or a teacher. Very few act purely for themselves one hundred percent of the time. Another example of a situation that rings true for me is when Bilbo is in fantastic lands, but wants nothing more but to go home. At this point in the school year, I am totally burned out on being at Purdue. Though I love my ‘college adventure’ I long for my home like Bilbo longs for his hobbit hole.
ReplyDeleteThough I do find many of the situations in the Hobbit “true,” I am only now noticing this. When I am reading the book, I am in fairytale land, and read purely to enjoy the story- not to find real-world connections.
I may have actually taken a different point of view on this if it had been asked before I completed my project. Now, however I believe that the Hobbit and all of its characters are true. Each character has a personality and a history. After searching through the book for textual references for each “species” in Middle Earth, I feel like I know them. They have family bonds and form friendships and help one another overcome whatever struggles they may be facing. Their triumphs and struggles are relatable and you cannot help but root for them to succeed while also unknowingly learning a few things about yourself as well.
ReplyDeleteThis aspect of the Hobbit is what makes the story true. I can relate to Bilbo and his struggle between being adventurous or playing it safe. Isn't that a struggle that everyone faces at some point in their life, if not multiple times? Bilbo’s courage and faith in himself is inspirational to anyone who may be facing the same predicament.
Thus, Tolkien’s uncanny ability to intertwine the characters and their backgrounds makes their lives complicated, much like our own lives. It would be nice if life’s battles could be neatly packaged with no complications and no loose ends, but that is not the way things are. Bilbo’s journey was not without hardship and in the end he had lost the respect of people from Hobbiton, a tragedy, but he had also gained the friendship of elves, wizards and dwarves. This was a true example of life, about making a choice and following through with it no matter what happens.
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ReplyDeleteThe story is somewhat true to me because the characters personalities are very similar to people that we meet on a day to day basis, some friendly and willing to help and some mean and will do anything to stop us.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that made the story true for me is when Bilbo tried to rob the trolls because he wanted to prove that he could be a burglar. This is true to me because I know that in real life this really happens. Someone feels pressure to do something to prove to others that they can do it no matter how dangerous it might be. It is a classic case of peer pressure. After he gets caught stealing the money purse and when they are captured by the trolls shows the consequence that typically comes from things of this nature. There is usually a negative consequence and the person who is trying to prove something gets hurt or the entire group gets in trouble.
Yes, for me it is true. The way they speak, walk, their fears. It is very human. (Even if most of the main charaters are not human. ) When Bilbo is in the caves with Gollum he can't see him. He becomes afraid of the darkness around him. A very true fear . For myself darkness used to be a great fear of mine. I would leave the door to my room wide open and the hallway light on. But unlike back then I am not afraid now. Like Bilbo I got over it.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to my favorite part of this book with Smaug the dragon talks to Bilbo. It rings of a true dragon. One dragons can talk if they want to. Two dragons have hordes of treasure and will do a lot to keep it that way. Three dragons are not cute little puppies . (Like some people like to think.) Even though dragons are not real doesn't mean that there can't be a true dragon like Smaug.
One scene in the hobbit that makes the story “true,” for me is when Bilbo is in the cave alone, going to face Smaug, by himself. He even states that moving forward was the bravest thing he ever did. Like most scenes in this book, Bilbo is bravest when he is by himself. I think this is what makes this story true for me, because I see similar examples of this in movies, other books, life, etc. Even in my life, I see situations like this. This is a completely different kind of example, and not as serious as facing a dragon, but I see this happen when I drive a car. When I have other people in the car with me, especially when I do not know the directions to get to the place we are going, I tend to get extremely nervous. I sweat, my posture is uptight, and I make stupid mistakes driving, ones that I would never normally make when I am by myself. I would much rather not drive in that situation and usually try to get out of it. However, when I am driving by myself and I get lost, or do not know where I am going, I am completely calm. I figure it out by myself and am not nervous at all. When I am by myself, I realize that it is all on me, it is only on me, and there is no one who is going to make the situation better but me. I think that Bilbo has similar feelings whenever he is by himself and needing to face something. Being alone in a situation can be terrifying, but in the end it is yourself that is facing the challenge, it will be yourself that you will disappoint if something goes wrong. There is no one to second-guess you in that situation. It is just up to you. Bilbo and the way he faces situations alone, and the way he gathers courage alone, is what makes this story true to me.
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit proved to be very true for me. The most true parts of the book for me are the parts that always come before a big adventure occurs for the company of travelers. The time Thorin and Company spend in Mirkwood was true to me as I was reading of their struggles. They carry Bombour for about six days and waste all their arrows without thinking straight. The scene where Thorin tries to get the dwarves to stop shooting desperately at the deer is one that resounded with truth for me because of the life truth that desperate individuals act on present feelings without the ability to see into the future. In the case of the desperate dwarves, they saw deer that they wanted to eat so without thought on wasting all of the arrows they shot wildly at the deer using every single arrow Beorn had given them. The next scene is another one that rings with truth. The dwarves become so desperate to get out of Mirkwood that they decide someone should climb up a tree to see how much further the forest drags on. This scene is a parallel to the way real life often works. The dwarves are dragging on in the dark forest without any sign of a future hope. This can compare to life in the sense that often when a person is facing their darkest struggles or path they seek to see some "light at the end of the tunnel." It is also true the in life, we often struggle to do hard things and although we do them for a time, it is natural to give up and become distracted with a better appearing alternative. The truth from this reoccurring life lesson is played out with the dwarves when Bilbo can't see any "light at the end of the tunnel" and the company becomes desperate and is easily lured off of the path that they were on by the elves fire. It was very easy for me to believe that this is what would really happen on an adventure of this sort because I have seen the same idea played out in my own life's adventure.
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit rings true for me because of the landscape, the relationships, and the feelings. The landscape was one thing that made The Hobbit feel "real." While it may not be filled with a dragon it was easy to picture a massive mountain looming in solitude. The same can be said about the homeliness of Rivendell. Finally the unknown darkness of Mirkwood is something that is easy to relate to for anyone who has ever been lost or frightened of the woods.
ReplyDeleteThe relationships in the story are another reason the story seems real. Wizards and dwarves may not exist, but mentors and pupils do. Gandalf is the undisputed leader of the group when he is around, even more so than Thorin, and that is an interesting relationship. Since Gandalf is the wisest and most experience of all he takes a leadership role to everybody else. They rely on him for guidance and safety. This is similar to the relationship between a parent and a child.
The feelings expressed in The Hobbit are the final thing that I think makes the Hobbit feel true. Bilbo's feeling of solitude is one thing that most people experience at some point during their life. Also, Bilbo's longing for home at some of the worst parts of his journey is very easy to relate with. When someone is facing a hardship it is very easy to want to be away from the problem and be back someplace where you are completely comfortable.
Those are the things that I think make The Hobbit, though fictional, very true.
A scene for me that makes The Hobbit seem “real” would probably be at the start of the book when Bilbo, the unassuming and stereotypical hobbit, encounters the unexpected party. The actions and reactions Bilbo has to the arrival of the dwarves are completely convincing. This is not because any character could have such reactions, but instead because the reactions fit the character of Bilbo so well. Just prior to the arrival of the dwarves, Tolkien gives an in-depth account of Bilbo, his background and the way his mind thinks. Upon arrival, Bilbo reacts just how one would expect based on the description. Bilbo initially is taken a slight bit aback but is of course hospitable and offers the first few dwarves food and drink. Further on down the line of dwarves, Bilbo begins to be quite disconcerted: “I really must sit down for a minute and collect my wits, and have a drink.” Bilbo even “put his head in his hands” as one in such a situation would be accustomed to do. Nevertheless, Bilbo is altogether accommodating despite his anger and bewilderment at the unexpected situation he is placed in. This is one scene from The Hobbit that makes the story “true.” As stated before, the fact that Bilbo’s reactions are entirely believable in such a situation and truly stick to his character make The Hobbit fit the description of being “true.”
ReplyDeleteThe story for me is true because of the way that the characters act and their real life fears. This story is also true to me because of the journey that they take and have to go through hardships and scares to get what they have earned. I can connect with many of Bilbo's experiences and fears throughout the story. Being able to connect with those are what makes it a real story for me. When Bilbo is alone trying to move forward toward Smaug, he is scared. It is a true feeling of being scared of what is next to come. Another big thing for me was the ending, they had the treasure but they had a long haul home. When people have worked all of their lives and finally have what they have worked for, it is not an easy road from there on out. Most of the time those people have to continue to work and keep their earnings, like Bilbo and the dwarves' journey home.
ReplyDeleteTo me, I would definitely say that The Hobbit is true. Nearly all of the characters are believable to me. One of the parts that really seemed to make the story was Bilbo's conversation with Smaug. There are a lot of legends that say that dragons are tricky creatures, and the interaction between Bilbo and Smaug showed that in this instance that is true. Smaug kept trying to trick Bilbo into coming out from the tunnel, which is something that I can see a clever dragon trying to do. It also goes with the legends that dragons are incredibly smart. Smaug noticed immediately that a single cup was missing out of the gigantic horde of gold that he was sitting on. I would imagine it would require a fairly flashy and unique item or a large amount of treasure missing for me to notice it. The only thing that made it not true for me was Smaug's missing scale. I feel like if he had an obvious weak spot like that he'd do a better job of hiding it.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons that The Hobbit is such a true story is because how Tolkien never allows the reader to forget how important food is to the characters of the story. Throughout the book Bilbo years to go home and have a nice home cooked meal, which I am sure is a universal truth for anyone who goes traveling. Tolkien also shows how it is the nature of living beings to kill to survive. The trolls want to kill the dwarves so that they can boil them and eat them. There are also many other examples like Gollum eating the orcs, the spiders want to eat the dwarves, and the Wargs too. Sure they may be evil, but they are want to survive like everyone else. It is also very "true" that the party of dwarves always feel better after having a nice meal, like after stealing the food from the Trolls. That is what makes The Hobbit a true story for me.
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