1. Bilbo Baggins – The Connector
Bilbo not only connects with all of the major characters in the novel he also connects with the major themes:
What is a hero?
Growing into manhood
Family identity and pride
Standing up for one’s (Christian) Values

2. Bilbo - The Contradiction
Bilbo looks the very opposite of what a hero is expected to look like:
Small
Not muscular
Shows effeminate – fuss pot – traits
Initially shuns violence or conflict
He does accept the contract for the usual heroic reasons of seeking wealth and fame.
He accepts the challenge to ‘slay the dragon’ and fight a war to claim his share of the treasure

3. Not the typical hero
Bilbo gives up his share of the treasure to people in need
Wealth and fame do not drive Bilbo
He becomes a hero by kindness,
by generosity,
by standing up for what is ‘right’,
by sticking to his values,
by remaining humble afterwards
It is his conscience and innocence that makes Bilbo a hero

4. The Typical Hero is Beorn
“huge man with thick black beard and hair, great bare arms and legs with knotted muscles” (p108)
He can change into a bear
He fights the goblin leader and slays him
Thus turning the tide of the battle in favour of the ‘good’
Beorn is a mighty warrior with a fiery temper to match

5. Bilbo and Conflict
Bilbo does not fight in the war because violence repels him “ Bilbo’s heart fell, both at the song and the talk: they sounded much too warlike” (p236)
Nor does Bilbo slay the dragon (it is Bard the archer who slays Smaug)
But Bilbo plays a critical role in providing moral leadership to his ‘side’
But he does possess major weapons:
the sword Sting, (a reward for getting the key to treasure of the trolls)
the ring of invisibility
and a chain mail of an elf prince

6. Weapons of war & moral courage
The sword gives Bilbo courage and strength he never knew he possessed and these help him to slay the giant spider
“Somehow the killing of the giant spider, all alone by himself in the dark without the help of the wizard or the dwarves or 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. ( ).
Even Smaug fears Bilbo’s sword (p195): “a warrior, altogether insignificant in size but provided with a bitter sword and great courage”.
But Bilbo only uses the sword for defence (when he saves the dwarves from the spiders) and shows the quality of mercy when he spares Gollum refusing to use his sword (p80)

7. Conscience - Inner Conflict
In sparing Gollum Bilbo gains a clear moral conscience and this is reinforced when he returns the Arkenstone to Bard and loyally returns to his friends.
“I don’t think I ought to leave my friends like this, after all we have gone through together” (p244).
Refuses to participate in the Battle of the Five Armies
He gives his share of the treasure to the people of Lake-Town as an offer of peace showing his generosity is part of his hero quality

8. Growing into Manhood – conflict = maturity
At the start of the novel Bilbo displays child like behaviour both in his physical size and manners
He polishes his plates all day and relishes the comforts of home (as a comfortable womb)
Gandalf urges Bilbo to leave the comforts of home (and grow up) but hovers in the background encouraging Bilbo to make his own decisions while still protecting him and as a parent mentoring him to grow bolder and stronger and to honour the Took family legacy.
Bilbo begins by sulking over leaving home without his security blanket the handkerchief

9. Becoming a man – a respected Leader
His first challenge doesn’t go well and he escapes from the trolls by crawling away much like a baby learns to crawl before learning to walk
He grows stronger with each successive challenge
He rescues his dwarf friends from the spiders and wood elves in Mirkwood, he finds a way into the mountain, he leads his ‘men’ to the treasure, he discovers Smaug’s weak spot, he confronts his fears in Smaug’s tunnel all on his own and he attempts to thwart Thorin’s greed and to bring peace to the feuding dwarves, elves and humans.

10. Moral Leadership Moral conflict?
Although a burglar, Bilbo never steals anything out of greed
He only takes what is necessary such as food, keys and the Arkenstone which he exchanges for an offering of peace
Bilbo’s rejection of heroic stereotypes such as war and gold make him a hero of peace, honesty, generosity and sensitivity to others’ feelings.
Bilbo is a small person with a big heart who changes the world by showing compassion, adherence to ethical behaviour and moral leadership

11. Changes but doesn’t change where it matters
He promotes a world where merry meals, honesty and peace make the world better
More importantly he does not allow the success of his ‘adventure’ make him proud or big headed
He returns a humble if wiser and more mature person who remains true to his core values