After reading chapters 5-6 of The Hobbit explain something that we learn about Bilbo.

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2004

Answers

We find out that Bilbo, despite his many shortcomings and moments of foolishness, is actually quite a kind and intelligent soul. In his outwitting Gollum with riddles, even accidental ones, he proves his intelligence--he was smart enough to stay by his original thought of "What have I got in my pocket?", knowing that it would be difficult for Gollum to answer. He also could have very easily killed Gollum many times during their riddle playing, if he had wanted to, but as it says and as is later illustrated, he felt pity for the creature and spared his life.

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2004

Bilbo seems to be in a transition phase of his metaphorical journey from...lameness...to adventure and heroics. In ch. 5, Bilbo seems to have matured as a character, and could even be called a hero: he does not slay Gollum, something Gandalf praises in LotR, and keeps his head (mostly) during the riddle-game (thanks Angie). On the other hand, he falls short in the forest in dealing with the wolves and goblins; he seems to revert to his old self and rely on others for support. This shows bilbo transitioning to maturity as a heroic character, and I think we will see more of the Bilbo in the riddle- game character later in the book (wink wink nudge nudge).

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2004

I think the most important thing we finally see surface is old Bilbo in his encounter with Gollum is courage. His gigantic spring over Gollum's head that was "no great leap for a man, but a leap in the dark," must've taken a good bit of courage. When confronted with the goblin guards, instead of collapsing on the floor, "skaking like a jelly that was melting," he gets out. It may have taken a lot, but he found his resolve when no one else was watching.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2004

I think that we find that Bilbo works best alone. Like JWalk said, Bilbo does act heroically and cleverly at certain times but reverts to knee-knocking pansiness at others. He seems to be most courageous when others are not around to help him out. This is the opposite of the norm, as people tend to be more brave when they have others to back them up. Maybe Bilbo just turns to jelly when there are others around to be brave for him, but when he is truly tested (alone) he can pull it out in tight situations.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2004

i think in these chapters we see a major transformation in bilbo. Before he was not really whole-heartedly involved on this adventure. Before he was kinda being draged along, now we see him take charge of a situation and conduct himself very well.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2004

What I found was that Bilbo is quite capable of dealing with dangerous situations even if he wants to be elsewhere. He holds up quite well in the Goblin Tunnels, in his confrontation with Gollum, and most of all his escape. He is stronger than he seems a theme that is carried over into Frodo in the Lord of the Rings. This is the first incling that Hobbits aren't as quiet and fat as they want to seem.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2004

I agree that this is Bilbo's transition from a wimpy hobbit who reacts to trouble in a way that is not exactly encouraging ("struck by lightning") to the brave hero/thief hobbit. Yet he is still a hobbit who is not all Took and would really like to be at home eating six meals a day. So while he does find that brave part of himself that can conquer challenges, he is still dependent on others whenever there is somebody to depend on, especially Gandalf, whom he expects can fix anything. He will act if the others fail, positioning himself as the last line of defense but otherwise still willing to submit to authority unless there is no other choice. He is brave when he needs to be but is not brave when he does not have to be.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2004

"Bilbo's got a mojo ring!" (Sorry, excuse my comercial dittie)

I think the chapters expose the hobbit resilience that Gandalf is always reffering to in LotR. Bilbo is placed in a desperate situation, with seemingly no way of escape, but he still triumphs using wits and not a little bit of luck. Who da thunk?

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2004

I don't think that Bilbo really has any special capabilities. As far as I can tell, he only has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He finds the ring by chance, he asks his last riddle by accident, he just happens to discover the troop after he gets through the mountains, and Gandalf just happens to be friends with the eagles of Beorn. All of these things are beyond the hobbits control. Essentially, these two chapters expose the Bilbo, at least at this point, is purely lucky.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2004

We find that even the smallest creatures can have the stoutest hearts.

Bilbo shows an extreme amount of courage far taller than his... stature. We find that even the greatest hope can be put in the tiniest thing.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2004

I think we see Bilbo's what I call "Hobbit Transfomation" in these chapters. In this he goes from a somewhat worthless little person to a great adventurer. The "Hobbit Transformation" also happens to the hobbits that go with Bilbo in LotR. There is a distinct point where they start taking matters into their own hands and start to become useful to those around them.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2004