Hobbit quotes Flashcards
Tolkien’s use of hyperboles shows how Bilbo felt like a different person, which is exaggerated because he still felt like Bilbo Baggins. The use of this literary technique tells us that Bilbo felt as if he improved himself; increasing his courage. To summarise, Bilbo’s experience with personal growth was achieved by pushing him in a time of need.
Somehow the killing of this giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark . . . made a great difference to Mr Baggins. He felt like a different person
Tolkien uses a simile to compare Smaug’s greed with a man angered by losing meaningless riches. This comparison shows how negatively driven greed can make people. In Smaug’s endless hoarding of riches, he depicted greed, after realising he lost a small fraction of purposeless wealth.
“His rage passes description—the sort of rage that is only seen when rich folk that have more than they can enjoy suddenly lose something that they have long had but have never before used or wanted.”
Gandalf uses foreshadowing as a persuasive language technique that ensures the reader that Bilbo Baggins will undergo many courageous steps to growth. J.R.R Tolkien’s use of foreshadowing early in the story clarifies that it will still be seen throughout.
“If I say he is a Burglar, a Burglar he is, or will be when the time comes. There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself.”
Thorin’s dialogue tells Bilbo directly of the consequences of greed and that there would be a global improvement if we cherished things more essential and not powering greed. In Thorin’s last breaths of life, he tells Bilbo through experience that without greed the world would be a better place.
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
This inner monologue shows how Bilbo gains satisfaction from taking a risk out of courage, displaying the positive result of personal growth. This attempted stealing from the trolls tells how through risks, personal growth can give us confidence and independence.
“Ha!” thought he, warming to his new work as he lifted it carefully out, “this is a beginning!”
This quote symbolises the Arkenstone as the heart of Thorin showing that it has the greatest value in the mountain and that Thorin cherishes it more than life. This greedy mindset lead to the war, as he would rather murder armies instead of share his vast and endless treasure. Thorin’s greed for the Arkenstone and his treasure, very heavily contributed to the start of violence and war.
“This is the Arkenstone of Thrain,” said Bilbo, “the Heart of the Mountain; and it is also the heart of Thorin. He values it above a river of gold.”
