The Hobbit (593 words)

The HobbitThe Hobbit
As the book, The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien
begins to conclude, Thorin Oakenshield sees the goodness in Bilbo Baggins
and apprehends the most significant parts of life. Since the beginning,
Thorin’s principle objective is to become the King under the Mountain and
to have all the gold and treasure. While Thorin is on his deathbed he tells
Bilbo, “There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly
West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued
food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
Unlike the dwarfs, Bilbo cherishes friendship and merriment over gold and
wealth. He shows this by placing his life in danger numerous times by escaping
ferocious goblins and killing giant spiders to save Thorin and the other
dwarfs. Bilbo cares more about others than himself, and Thorin notices
how fortunate they are to have such a wise individual as a friend.

Because of the goodness in Bilbo, he declines
the treasure. It is offered to him since a promise was made in the beginning
for him to receive and equal portion of the riches. He refuses the treasure
because he feels that the most precious possession he has is the friendship
with the dwarfs and others that he encounters along the way. Also, Bilbo
enjoys near death experiences and thrills that accompany the quest for
the mountain. Although, from Bilbo’s words, he makes it seem as if the
only reason he does not take the treasure home is that his pony will only
carry two chests. Bilbo also thinks he did enough harm and becomes weary.

He just wants to be back in his hobbit-hole. What use would Bilbo have
for the whole treasure? Bilbo was content without the riches which is why
he declines the treasure.

Thorin changes drastically by the end of
the book. Now, Thorin’s quest is now fulfilled since he returned the mountain
to the dwarfs reign. For many years, a dragon, Smaug, took over the mountain
until when Thorin and his company claim the mountain again. Another part
of his quest was to have the Heart of the Mountain, the Arkenstone. He
accomplished that when it was laid upon his breast by Bard, a friend, and
Bard exclaimed, “There it lay till the Mountain falls!” His death was necessary
for the theme of the book to teach that kindness is superior of treasure.

Finally, Thorin realizes this valuable lesson, but it is too late.

Thorin does not deserve respect or admiration
because he did not realize that friendship and merriment is more meaningful
than riches. Many creatures lost their life from the choices that Thorin
made and the selfishness he had. According to Bilbo’s perspective of Thorin,
Bilbo stated, “He is quite ready to sit on a heap of gold and starve.”
If Thorin would have given everyone their evenhanded portion of the fortune,
the battle possibly could have been stopped, and there would have been
no hard feelings. Instead, he was too avaricious, and that is why Thorin
is not respectable and does not deserve our admiration.

Therefore, in The Hobbit, Thorin’s perspective
on life changes when he sees the goodness and kindheartedness in Bilbo.

Bilbo would risk his life for any friend, but during the adventure all
Thorin wants is the treasure. As Thorin is on his deathbed, he notices
how selfish he has been and wishes he could have transformed it. Meanwhile,
Bilbo sets the perfect example. He shows wisdom, courage, bravery, and
above all, nobility. Bilbo teaches a valuable lesson. His goal is to survive
and be happy, but most of the other characters only desire treasure. In
turn, Bilbo becomes an admirable and a remarkable companion.