Question

1. How does Tolkien describe the walk up the Mountain? Why do you think he described it this way?



2. Why do the dwarves think Bilbo should be the one to enter the mountain? Do you think this is fair? Why or why not?

Answers

GPT-4o mini
1. In J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," the walk up the Mountain—specifically, the journey to the lonely mountain of Erebor—is often described with a sense of grandiosity and peril. The landscape is depicted as rugged and daunting, emphasizing both the beauty and the danger that the adventurers face. The descriptions commonly feature steep paths, rocky terrain, and a sense of foreboding as the dwarves and Bilbo approach their destination. Tolkien's vivid imagery serves to heighten the sense of adventure and the stakes involved in their quest to reclaim the dwarves’ homeland from Smaug, the dragon. By using such descriptive language, Tolkien creates a vivid backdrop that reflects the internal struggles and growth of the characters throughout their journey, making the mountain itself a symbol of their trials and ambitions.

2. The dwarves believe Bilbo should be the one to enter the mountain due to his status as a burglar and the idea that he possesses qualities suited for stealth, cunning, and resourcefulness—all traits that are valuable for facing the dragon. They see him as a necessary tool to help them find a way into the mountain and to scout ahead, having been impressed by his performance during their earlier encounters. While some may question the fairness of placing such a burden on Bilbo, considering he is not a warrior and has only recently been thrust into this unexpected role, it can be argued that this choice is a reflection of the group's growing reliance on him. This situation also underscores a central theme of "The Hobbit": the idea of hidden potential and the growth that comes through adversity. Ultimately, whether it's fair or not depends on one's perspective; it can be seen as both a practical decision by the dwarves and a crucial moment for Bilbo to prove himself beyond the confines of his comfortable life in the Shire.

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