Bilbo Baggins’ Heroic Transformation and Redefinition of Heroism in Tolkien’s The Hobbit

Working Thesis

Although Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit may appear like an improbable hero, his development from a softened hobbit to a brave person challenges the conventional idea of heroism.

  1. Bilbo’s early hesitation in setting out on the adventure emphasizes his surprising bravery, in contrast to the typical expectation of ready and willing heroes.
  2. By valuing intelligence over physical prowess, Bilbo redefines heroism with his cunning and ingenuity, displayed in his strategic reasoning and problem-solving skills.
  3. Heroism can come from unexpected people and situations, as evidenced by Bilbo’s development of bravery and courage throughout the voyage (Tolkien 15).

Annotated Bibliography

da Rocha, Fabian Quevedo. “From the Fairy Tale to the Epic: The Change in the Narrative Tone in JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit.” Literartes, vol. 1, no. 12, 2020, pp. 206-222. Web.

In his article, Fabian Quevedo da Rocha examines how the narrative tone changes throughout the book. The piece featured in Literartes discusses how the story shifts from a manner akin to a fairy tale to one that is more epic. Da Rocha discusses the effects of this change on The Hobbit’s personality, storyline, and overarching ideas. The author offers an insightful analysis of Tolkien’s storytelling methods and the shift in the novel’s atmosphere from whimsical to magnificent by looking at different narrative aspects.

Fahmi, Bambang Widi Pratolo, and Anang Yuniyanto Wibowo. “Exploring Bilbo Baggins’ Courage in Facing his Enemies as Reflected in J.R.R. Tolkien’S The Hobbit: A Psychological Analysis.” Journal of Critical Reviews, vol. 7, no. 9, 2020. Web.

The character of Bilbo Baggins is explored in depth in the article by Bambang Widi Pratolo Fahmi and Anang Yuniyanto Wibowo. It looks at his bravery in the face of enemies in J.R.R. Tolkien’s book The Hobbit. The writers examine Bilbo’s development from a shy and unadventurous hobbit to an adventurous and skillful hero through the prism of psychology. The study examines the psychological elements that enable Bilbo to face and overcome various obstacles, stressing his inner fortitude, resiliency, and personal development throughout the story. The study sheds light on the mental components of bravery within the story’s setting and offers insights into Bilbo Baggins’ character development.

Loughlin, Marie H. “Tolkien’s Treasures: Marvellous Objects in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.” Tolkien Studies, vol. 16, no. 1, 2019, pp. 21-58. Web.

The relevance of fantastic items in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit is examined by Marie H. Loughlin in the context of cultural beliefs, ethics, and practices. The article emphasizes the evolving cultural and ethical significance of people’s emotional attachments to priceless things, which convey unique values, histories, and senses. The page offers insightful information about the function of fantastic items and their cultural relevance in Tolkien’s works.

Work Cited

Tolkien, John R.R. The Hobbit. HarperCollins, 2011.

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StudyCorgi. (2025, August 16). Bilbo Baggins’ Heroic Transformation and Redefinition of Heroism in Tolkien’s The Hobbit. https://studycorgi.com/bilbo-baggins-heroic-transformation-and-redefinition-of-heroism-in-tolkiens-the-hobbit/

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"Bilbo Baggins’ Heroic Transformation and Redefinition of Heroism in Tolkien’s The Hobbit." StudyCorgi, 16 Aug. 2025, studycorgi.com/bilbo-baggins-heroic-transformation-and-redefinition-of-heroism-in-tolkiens-the-hobbit/.

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StudyCorgi. (2025) 'Bilbo Baggins’ Heroic Transformation and Redefinition of Heroism in Tolkien’s The Hobbit'. 16 August.

1. StudyCorgi. "Bilbo Baggins’ Heroic Transformation and Redefinition of Heroism in Tolkien’s The Hobbit." August 16, 2025. https://studycorgi.com/bilbo-baggins-heroic-transformation-and-redefinition-of-heroism-in-tolkiens-the-hobbit/.


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StudyCorgi. "Bilbo Baggins’ Heroic Transformation and Redefinition of Heroism in Tolkien’s The Hobbit." August 16, 2025. https://studycorgi.com/bilbo-baggins-heroic-transformation-and-redefinition-of-heroism-in-tolkiens-the-hobbit/.

References

StudyCorgi. 2025. "Bilbo Baggins’ Heroic Transformation and Redefinition of Heroism in Tolkien’s The Hobbit." August 16, 2025. https://studycorgi.com/bilbo-baggins-heroic-transformation-and-redefinition-of-heroism-in-tolkiens-the-hobbit/.

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