Celebrating the Legacy of ‘The Hobbit’
“Do you recall the 21st night of September?” This iconic question posed by Maurice White, the singer-songwriter of Earth, Wind & Fire, in their 1978 hit ‘September’, resonates with many. Interestingly, it could easily apply to the literary genius of John Ronald Reuel “JRR” Tolkien. Renowned for his masterful storytelling and linguistic expertise, Tolkien is best remembered for his epic ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, published between 1954 and 1955. However, preceding this monumental work was a charming children’s tale that set the stage for his grand fantasy epic.
Released on this day in 1937, ‘The Hobbit’ introduces readers to Bilbo Baggins, the titular “Hobbit” characterized by his diminutive stature, enormous feet, and a preference for the comforts of home. Bilbo’s peaceful existence is abruptly disrupted when he embarks on an extraordinary adventure through the enchanting realm of Middle-earth. Guided by the wise wizard Gandalf and accompanied by a band of thirteen dwarves, Bilbo’s quest leads him to confront the fearsome dragon Smaug in a bid to reclaim the dwarves’ lost treasure.
The immediate success of ‘The Hobbit’ prompted Tolkien’s publisher, Stanley Unwin, to request a sequel, which would ultimately evolve into Tolkien’s magnum opus. Over the years, ‘The Lord of the Rings’ has transformed names like “Hobbits”, “Gandalf”, and “Bilbo Baggins” into household terms. This phenomenon reached new heights with Peter Jackson’s acclaimed film adaptations, released from 2001 to 2003, which won numerous Academy Awards.
While Jackson later ventured into creating a trilogy based on ‘The Hobbit’, the financial success of these films did not translate into the same level of critical acclaim as his earlier adaptations. This trend highlights how Tolkien’s original trilogy frequently overshadows its predecessor. In fact, Tolkien himself revisited and revised portions of ‘The Hobbit’ to align with the evolving narrative of his subsequent works during its second publication.
On this occasion, let us delve into what makes ‘The Hobbit’ uniquely compelling. Rather than dismissing this beloved book—having sold an estimated 100 million copies—as merely a simplistic precursor to the epic saga that followed, we should recognize it as a groundbreaking piece of children’s literature that laid the foundation for one of the richest fantasy worlds ever conceived.
Bilbo and Gandalf in ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’
What distinguishes ‘The Hobbit’ is its dynamic engagement with children’s literature, allowing Tolkien to navigate the whimsical landscapes of Middle-earth while gradually introducing darker themes in his later works. When ‘The Hobbit’ was published, children’s literature was at a crossroads. The Golden Age, marked by classics like ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’, ‘The Jungle Book’, and ‘Peter Pan’, had come to an abrupt halt following the devastation of World War I. The aftermath left a generation of men deeply scarred, resulting in a shift in literary production and philosophical approaches.
In contrast, children’s tales like the post-war ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ and ‘Mary Poppins’ reflected worlds devoid of conventional parenting dynamics. ‘The Hobbit’, released in this interwar climate, broke the mold. It was infused with humor, enchanting songs, and, most crucially, action. Although Bilbo begins his journey as a quintessential Hobbit, preferring the quiet life of the Shire, he is soon swept into a whirlwind of adventure filled with swords, trolls, and dragons.
Tolkien insisted that ‘The Lord of the Rings’ “is neither allegorical nor topical.” However, the depictions of war and a declining magical world closely mirror Tolkien’s own experiences as a soldier in World War I and his observations of World War II. In contrast, ‘The Hobbit’ is more straightforward in its moral framework, promoting themes of kindness over greed without ever becoming clichéd.
Every moment in ‘The Hobbit’ feels earned, every joke resonates, and each step of Bilbo’s journey is more thrilling than the last. It’s no wonder that ‘The Hobbit’ has endured through the ages; it stands as the sine qua non of children’s fantasy literature.
