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Good and Evil in The Hobbit

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The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien has many themes strewn across its pages, but two of it’s main themes are the idea of ‘good’ and ‘evil’. Now, while this story is one of magic, it addresses things that are present in our own lives all the same. Only, they are quite exaggerated and literal. The character that represents ‘good’ is none other than our burglar, Bilbo Baggins. He possesses the characteristics of purity, innocence, and even ignorance at times. He plays the role of the savior many times for the dwarves in his company as well. The representations of ‘evil’ are the arkenstone, and the treasure in the mountain. First of all, the character who represents ‘good’ is Bilbo Baggins. He has never stepped out of his home, the shire, and he has no experience with the outside world of middle earth. In the beginning of the book, Thorin and his company of dwarves ask Bilbo to become their burglar and to accompany them on their journey to take back their home and treasure. After some mulling over it and a talk from Gandalf the Grey, he accepts. On this journey he shows to be quite brave considering he’s never set foot outside his home town. Bilbo saves the dwarves from goblins, giant spiders, wood elves, and many more dangers. All the while he is realizing the want for adventure he never knew he had. In a physical comparison, Bilbo is much smaller, cleaner, and more proper than anything he encounters, including his dwarf companions. Although, the event that truly shows Bilbo’s purity, is that of the arkenstone. When he and the dwarves reach the Lonely Mountain, Bilbo notices a change in Thorin. A change not for the better. He sees that the dwarf king has become impatient, bossy, aggravated, and very desperate to reach the treasure. When they do open the door and after much struggling, defeat Smaug, the dragon who guards the gold, the changes in Thorin become even worse. His eyes glaze over and he is in a daze, his

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