J.R.R Tolkien's The Hobbit

J.R.R Tolkien's The Hobbit generally follows the set-up for the "Hero's Journey". Of course, to have a Hero's Journey, you first need a proper hero. Bilbo Baggins, a tiny, hairy, middle-aged hobbit who enjoys solitude and calmness is the protagonist and hero of the novel. Generally, a hero would possess heroic qualities such as youth, power, confidence, and bravery - all essential traits that Bilbo appears to lack at first glance. With his pudgy, hairy appearance and good-natured attitude, Bilbo by no means comes off as a hero; Hence, why most of all of Gandalf's dwarves question Bilbo's presence in their expedition.

The novel begins with the Separation Period: Although Bilbo's ancestors were great adventurers, he himself was not and would like not to participate in the silly explorations of such things as caves, mountains, and forests. Gandalf's inquiry about needing a suitable candidate for a quest is Bilbo's call to adventure. This request for Bilbo's assistance threatens his peaceful and secure way of life, so Bilbo swiftly resists this call. Soon enough, Bilbo's fate is sealed when Gandalf marks his hobbit hole and the 13 dwarves whom will accompany his journey appear the following day. Gandalf acts as the mentor figure that the hero meets who gives them the confidence to begin the journey.

Once Bilbo, the dwarves, and Gandalf depart, Bilbo prepares to cross the first threshold as he finally leaves the comfort of his everyday life. The moment that really signifies Bilbo's crossing into the unknown world is his run in with the trolls' campfire due to the incredibly deadly situation he finds himself in. Since Bilbo's mentor saves him this time, Bilbo has not yet reached the belly of the whale until the incident with the goblins. Literally, Bilbo and his company are swallowed up by the cave as if they are krill being sucked up into a whale's mouth. For the first time, Bilbo becomes separated from his team and successfully saves himself from danger by avoiding the goblin's detection, outsmarting Gollum, and making off with an incredibly powerful and important ring.

Entering the initiation period, Bilbo meets a number of different friends, foes, and challenges on his journey towards the treasure. He encounters wood elves, giant spiders, huge eagles, Beorn, Smaug, and has to overcome the forest, the barrels, and the dragon's lair. Due to the lack of females in The Hobbit, the meeting with the "Goddess" and the woman as temptress do not manifest as actual women. The Goddess is implied to be the Took side of Bilbo's character that comes from his mother. While the Baggins are quiet folk, the Tooks crave adventure, and as Bilbo begins to feel himself changing throughout the novel, this signifies his transformation into more of a Tookish hobbit. With this transformation, Bilbo becomes more confident and "burglar" like as highlighted in the scene at Smaug's den. The power of the Arkenstone (ie. The Woman as Temptress) draws Bilbo towards it and influences him to take the stone even though it rightfully belongs to Thorin.

For a long while, Bilbo tries to justify his theft - blinded by his lust for the power and wealth of the stone - and ultimately causes a domino effect of violence. The siege on the mountain nearly causes the death of the mission and the death of the hero himself if it wasn't for the invisibility ring. Bilbo does overcome his greedy flaw and tries to redeem his actions by using the stone as a bargaining tool; However, the price of his greed is the death of Thorin. With the commencement of the battle, a peace is achieved among the different races and the enemy is defeated for the time being. Aside from Thorin's death, Bilbo does reach the ultimate boon as the goal of the quest is achieved: reclaim the treasure and distribute it amongst the dwarves.

Finally, Bilbo enters the Return Stage and makes his journey back home. As Gandalf remarks, Bilbo is no longer the same hobbit from the beginning of the quest. Bilbo becomes master of two worlds by successfully assimilating back into normal society while still being connected to the world he experienced on his journey. Additionally, Bilbo has the freedom to live how he wants because of his new found wealth and experience.