The Hobbit: Bilbo Baggins Becoming a Transformed Man

Bilbo Baggins lives a simple life with his fellow hobbits in a village, until the wizard Gandalf arrives and convinces him to join a group of dwarves on a quest to claim the kingdom of Erebor. The journey takes Bilbo on a path through treacherous lands swarming with orcs, goblins, and other dangers. None of these encounters compare with Gollum and a simple ring that is tied to the fate of Earth in ways Bilbo can’t imagine. The book The Hobbit was written by J.R.R Tolkien. The character Bilbo Baggins portrays the theme “The more challenges a person faces the more transformed they become.”

At first, like Biblo, people might be scared and not want to be heroic. “We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can’t think what anybody sees in them.” Gandalf tells Bilbo that he’s looking for an adventurer, Bilbo quickly tells him no. Bilbo makes clear that he has no interest in heroism whatsoever. Little did Bilbo know that through the next months he’d be preparing himself to slay a dragon. If he knew this now he’d do everything in his power to stop it.

Many heroes are more interested in pride and glory than helping people for the greater good. Gandalf sees the good in Bilbo even though he is not yet a great hero. Gandalf says, “I tried to find one; but warriors are busy fighting one another in distant lands, and in this neighbourhood heroes are scarce, or simply not to be found.” Gandalf chooses Bilbo because many that don't seem heroic or brave turn out to be more virtuous than most who draw attention to themselves. Eventually Bilbo and the dwarves come to see that Gandalf is right after all.

If you have courage when you make a choice or begin a journey, there will be a greater chance that you will succeed in accomplishing what you set out to do and become better in the process. When Bilbo first sets out on the journey with Gandalf and the dwarves, he has many doubts about himself and the great tasks that are placed before him. But as he continues to make actions that show his good judgement and courage, Bilbo begins to see that he is becoming a person that can be trusted. After giving the Arkenstone of Thrain to Bard and the Elven King, he is suddenly met by Gandalf. “Well done! Mr. Baggins!” he said, clapping Bilbo on the back. “There is always more about you than anyone expects!” This gives Bilbo more proof that his continuous buildup of courage helps him to do more and be more.

To conclude, facing challenges makes people stronger. No matter what, anyone can become stronger. Though Bilbo had hard days and struggles like everyone he learned from them. Whether it be climbing mountains like the hobbit or just having a rough day; when struggles and hard times are learned from we become stronger and transform to be better. If you have courage when you make a choice or begin a journey, there will be a greater chance that you will succeed in accomplishing what you set out to do and become better in the process. Be like Bilbo, get up when hard times come, and keep going.