Bilbo Baggins- A New Hobbit

I believe that the internal growth of the protagonist is an essential element of good storytelling. We as readers, feel compassion for the characters that lead the story (if this is the authour's intention), and generally we like to see the character succeed in their quest. As such, there is genuine disappointment and despair when the hero fails in a part of their journey. Over the course of the story, the protagonist should learn from their mistakes and grow as a person to ultimately achieve their goal, which is exactly what happens in The Hobbit.

Bilbo begins his journey as a meek hobbit, but like many great protagonists, his role changes during the journey. The major turning point in Bilbo's character is his encounter with the giant spiders. Up to this point, Bilbo hasn't yet defeated an enemy on his own, and still feels vulnerable to the new world he has been thrust in to. He relied on his comrades in order to conquer the obstacles in their path, leaving the reader wanting more to go in Bilbo's favour. When Bilbo slays the spider with his sword, a feeling of excitement and fulfillment rush over him. "Somehow the killing of the giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark without the help of the wizard or the dwarves or of anyone else, made a great difference to Mr Baggins. He felt a different person, and much fiercer and bolder in spite of an empty stomach, as he wiped his sword on the grass and put it back in its sheath" (Tolkien 146). From hear on in, Bilbo displays a new level of leadership and bravery. He is now a real hero, which is satisfying to the audience. This internal growth is something readers yearn for, and Tolkien delivers exactly that in The Hobbit.

Think of any great story. Chances are, the protagonist goes through a change similar to the metamorphosis of Bilbo's character. It likely doesn't involve giant spiders, but the symbolism itself is still there. In one of the most famous films of all time, Citizen Kane, (spoilers coming up, so either skip this part or watch a two hour movie) Charles Kane is depicted as a mean spirited man that had everything he could have ever wanted. The portrayal of his life keeps the audience from feeling empathy towards the man, yet wanting something positive to be revealed so that they can side with the protagonist. Ultimately, Charles Kane is revealed to have said his famous last words as an allusion towards the sled he owned as a child, which is implied to be the only moment in his life where he was truly happy. The audience is then satisfied with Charles' character, as he is no longer seen as a greedy old man who got everything he wanted, rather, he is a poor soul who led his life in disappointment and sadness. The change of character (although Kane himself didn't change, the attitude towards him does) makes the journey worthwhile because as an audience, we revel in the character's achievement. Proper character development causes the audience to unconsciously grow attached to the character, eventually making them share in the character's emotions and victory.

If we were to delve into other classic stories we would see this trend continue. Simply put, the development of character and personality growth is a vital element in the successful telling of a story. Because of this, Bilbo's rite of passage is a significant turning point in The Hobbit, and is crucial for his character to complete the journey.

-Dylan & Samuel, BFFs