Chapter IV

DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

A part of this study is to read The Hobbit story in light of the Bible. Tolkien himself was a

Christian and there has been a lot of discussion as to whether or not he included Christian

themes in his books. These stories were not meant to be allegorical. No one character can

represent God or Jesus or even one continuous theme, as what is expected in an allegory to do.

Tolkien himself admitted in one of his letters that he has placed Christian themes later on

throughout his works. Several examples can be sited in The Hobbit and here are some of them

as shown in the matrix tables followed by their respective discussion and analysis.

Matrix Analysis

Character – A character is a person depicted in a story. Characters may be minor characters or

major characters.

Object – An object in the story is a thing or item used to represent an abstract idea or concept.

Place – A place is the environment or location where the story is set.

Character Archetype Form Biblical Counterpart Analysis

Bilbo The Initiate Jesus Christ The initiate

archetype is a young
hero who, prior to
the quest, must
endure some training
and ritual. He
receives a calling, a
message or signal
that must make
sacrifices to
accomplish the quest.
In a similar way Bilbo
and Jesus are called
upon to make
sacrifices on their
journey for the
greater good.
Gandalf The Mentor Jesus Christ/God The mentor
archetype serves as a
teacher, guide or
counselor to the
initiate. In a similar
way Gandalf and
Jesus/God became
the teacher, guide or
counselor to the
chosen one.
Gollum The Creature of The Jewish Golem The creature of
Nightmare nightmare archetype
is the monster,
physical or abstract
summoned from the
deepest, darkest part
of the human psyche
to threaten the life of
the hero. It is the
perversion or
desecration of the
human body. In
similar ways to the
perversion of Gollum
 and the Jewish
Golem since they are
both imperfect
beings, human but
without a soul and
can turn invisible.
Sauron The Devil Figure Satan The devil figure
archetype is the evil
incarnate and his
main purpose is to
oppose the hero in
his quest. In a similar
way that Sauron and
Satan are the driving
force of evil. They
always tempt and
give earthly promises
of riches and desires
in exchange for the
downfall of what is
good.
Galadriel The Earth Mother Blessed Virgin Mary The earth mother
archetype is symbolic
of fruition,
abundance and
fertility, offers
spiritual and
emotional
nourishment to those
who she contacts. In
a similar way that
Galadriel and the
Blessed Virgin Mary
are associated with
creating and
nourishing life also
divine compassion
and wisdom.
Smaug The Dragon Evil/Satan The dragon
archetype conveys
the need to
overcome one’s own
fears for the quest to
 be successful. In a
similar way that
Smaug and Evil/Satan
can enslave and be
destructive once they
are not overcome.

1. Bilbo

The Initiate Archetype – The initiate is a young hero who, prior to the quest, must endure some

training and ritual. He is usually innocent at this stage. He undergoes the initiation which refers

to a moment, usually psychological, in which he comes into maturity. He gains a new awareness

into the nature of circumstances and problems and understands his responsibility for trying to

resolve the dilemma. Typically, a hero receives a calling, a message or signal that must make

sacrifices and become responsible for "getting involved" in the problem. Often a hero will deny

and question the calling and ultimately, in time, will accept responsibility.

In the The Hobbit, Bilbo repeatedly acted as Jesus would in the Bible. Tasked with the

possession of the evil Ring of power, Bilbo was often tempted to use the Ring in more than

needed and for the wrong reasons. However, the strong willed hobbit never gave in to the evil

power, just like when Jesus resists the temptation of Satan in the desert in Matthew 3:16. The

passage explains how the Lord, after fasting for forty days and forty nights, resists the

temptation to create food and feast. He then is tested by Satan to call upon His angels to save

Him from a deadly leap off of the highest point of a high cliff.
2. Gandalf

The Mentor Archetype – This individual serve as a teacher, guide or counselor to the initiate.

Sometimes works as a role model and often serves as a father or mother figure. He or she

teaches by example the skills necessary to survive the journey and quest. The mentor points the

hero in the direction he is destined to go.

Another Christian-like demonstration of Tolkien’s creative imagination is the character

of Gandalf, the good wizard. Gandalf, the Christ-like wizard who lays down his life for his

friends, knows that he is an undeserving bearer of the Ring and it is not because he has evil

intentions that he wants slyly to accomplish, but rather because his desire to do good is so

great. Gandalf is an important pawn and advantage to the hobbit and dwarves in their

adventure because he often guides, gives advice, and on the whole helps the adventurers along

in their great journey. Believers of Christianity also believe that Christ is with them, guiding and

showing them the way to salvation throughout their lives. Even though Gandalf, in Tolkien’s

novels, never cured a blind man or leper with a touch of his hand, he is liken to Jesus in the

miracles of his magic and spell casting as to Christ’s miracles of healing and blessings.

Gandalf was given the grant name “Stormcrow” by some because his arrival always seemed

to be perfectly timed with a period of war of either defense or expansion. In a similar way that

God’s apostles often appear to tremble up foundations and move God’s people forward which
can be disconcerting for those who are dreadfully trying to secure the existing situation.

Another biblical association for Gandalf at some point is God the Father because more often he

does not intervene unless the need is great and if the condition is getting out of hand of the

adventurers.

3. Gollum

The Creature of Nightmare Archetype – This monster, physical or abstract is summoned from

the deepest, darkest parts of the human psyche to threaten the life of the hero/heroine. Often

it is a perversion or desecration of the human body.

One of the most ghastly of the feats in The Hobbit was the corruption of Gollum. Gollum

was not always the slimy, cave dwelling, dark and dangerous monster that he became. He was

once a Hobbit, not unlike Bilbo himself, named Smeagol. However, there came a day when he

and his brother, Deagol, were by a riverbank. Deagol found the Ring of power then, Smeagol,

who soon became the Gollum, killed his brother to have the Ring of power for himself. This

Ring, the Ring to rule them all, had the power to corrupt any person who possessed it. Whether

it was the Ring’s overshadowing magic or simply Gollum’s lust for the ring, the corruption that

overcame Smeagol drove him to commit the appalling murder of his own brother.

Tolkien got the name "Gollum" from the Jewish "Golem." Golem comes from a Hebrew

word that occurs once in the Old Testament (Psalm 139:16): "Your eyes saw my unformed
substance," the word root for substance being the consonants GLM in the Hebrew. The Douay-

Rheims Catholic Bible translates the Hebrew word as "my imperfect being." The Golem was a

creature of clay constructed to represent a human being and bestowed with life, but without a

soul. Gollum and the Golem have quite a few similarities, besides names that sound the same.

They are both creatures of the earth. They are both imperfect beings. They both can become

invisible since invisibility was a property of the Golem in some stories. Their magical power can

be stopped and both are humanoid but of unknown species.

4. Sauron

The Devil Archetype – The Devil is both the adversary and a tremendous source of strength. He

represents nearly an inexhaustible source of energy. This character represents evil incarnate.

He or she may offer worldly goods, fame, or knowledge to the protagonist in exchange for

possession of the soul or integrity. This figure's main aim is to oppose the hero in his or her

quest.

Sauron is without a doubt the Devil archetype. He is the driving force behind armies of

orcs, uruk-hai, goblins and an evil wizard. Sauron is the reason the races of men, hobbits,

dwarves and elves have banned together, and in some cases the only reason why they tolerate

each other, because they face a common enemy. Sauron in the Bible is likened to Satan himself.

He is a man who tempts people and leading them to their own destruction. Sauron, like Satan,
was very subtle. He used the palantirs as much as he used the Ring to enslave men to his will

and weaken their resolve to do what was right. This is what sin does. There is a real-life enemy

who swings the Ring before anyone, tempting, telling how much better things will be when God

is ignored and listen to what he has to tell. He offers the temporary pleasures of this world and

makes them all sound more appealing than the teachings of God. Likewise, he whispers despair

and hopelessness in anybodys’ ears. This is where the story of the Ring comes in - a Ring of

Power which contains all of the evil in the world. It was placed there by Sauron. It is a terrible

ring, beautiful and deadly for it promises its wearer the power of a god. Yet the promise is a lie

for in the end, it delivers only destruction and misery, and the loss of one's soul. It enslaves its

ill-fated owner and brings him under the eternal control of Sauron himself. This is not a new

story. It has been told before:

Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had

made. And he said unto the woman, "Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day

ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and

evil." And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to

the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took the fruit thereof, and did eat, and

gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. And the eyes of both of them were

opened,"

Genesis 3:1, 4-7 (KJV)

5. Galadriel

The Earthmother Archetype – This character is symbolic of fruition, abundance, and fertility,

offer spiritual and emotional nourishment to those who she contacts; often depicted in earth

colors, with large breasts and hips.

It is very possible that Tolkien wanted Galadriel to play the role of the Earth Mother for

Middle Earth. Many early myths of Earth Mother goddesses are attributed with creating and

nourishing life. This can be observed when Galadriel gives gifts to the adventurers to help them

on their quest. Earth Mothers have appeared in a large number of cultures throughout history.

The Egyptians worshipped Isis; the Greeks revered Gaia; Ishtar sustained the Assyrians; and the

Romans gave tribute to Ceres. It should also be noted that Tolkien was a devote Catholic. Not

only did he give Galadriel qualities of ancient pagan deities but he added parts of a particularly

major biblical character. The Blessed Virgin Mary symbolizes divine compassion and wisdom. In

a similar way, Galadriel too gives the adventurers divine compassion and wisdom. She

recognizes their dedication and weariness for their cause and provides her own strength and

knowledge.

6. Smaug

The Dragon Archetype – In hero myths there are often times the slaughter of dragons, ogres

and trolls before the boon of the journey is gotten. This is an archetypal image conveying the

need to overcome one's own fears if the journey of life is to be successful.

 Another evil in The Hobbit is an evil that is much more familiar to any reader which is

the evil of greed. This trait is most observed in the character of the gigantic dragon Smaug. Even

though Smaug has no use for great amounts of gold and jewels, he covets and guards his stolen

fortune to death. Tolkien had created the dragon to be born with the desire to plunder towns

and kill the innocent to gain his utmost desires, treasure of any and all sorts. Tolkien may very

well have created this monster in the light of many monsters of our world, the primary world.

However, these monsters do not fly on wings like that of a great bat and spat fire from their

nostrils. These monsters usually wear a suit and a tie. Like the fictional Smaug, some greedy

human beings feed off others of lesser power or social status to attain their financial goals of

excess.

Taking much from the Greek and Arabian legends, the Christians were responsible for

turning the dragon into the image it is generally associated with, the fire breathing monster.

The Christians used the image of the serpent, or dragon to represent evil, and commonly Satan

himself. They drew much from the cultures of the lands they encountered. The Christian image

of the dragon, however, is a perverted one being set up in opposition of the pagan religions

such as snake worship. The snake is seen as the devil in the Garden of Eden, the dragon is seen

as the incarnation of evil in many horrifying forms to be defeated by the hero representing the

virtues of God. It is known that the early Christians brought people into their religion by all

manner of ways, building churches on old pagan sites for example, and casting the pagan
Dragon as the personification of evil and having it defeated by the Christian hero was a typical

ploy.

Object Archetype Form Biblical Counterpart Analysis

The One Ring The Shadow Evil/Sin The shadow

archetype represents
the energy of the
dark side, the
unexpressed,
unrealized, or
rejected aspect of
someone or
something. In a
similar way that the
One Ring and Evil/Sin
work to the
unfortunate one who
allows the corruption
of the soul.

7. Ring

The Shadow Archetype – The shadow represents the energy of the dark side, the unexpressed,

unrealized, or rejected aspect of something or someone.

The shadow archetype is represented by the One Ring. No matter who is wielding the Ring it

brings out darkness in the bearer. It makes them possessive, paranoid, not trusting, and brings

out many other negative qualities of the person. In essence, the power of the Ring is the exact

opposite of freedom. The purpose of the Ring is to destroy, through deceit and corruption,

anything good in the world. Another way to show the evil nature of the ring is to say that it
represents the omnipresence of evil. Its very existence, because it contains the evil will of its

creator, Sauron, has the power to tempt, corrupt, and, in doing so, destroy. Another way in

which the evil nature of the Ring can be depicted is in the way it has seemingly powerful

animate abilities as an inanimate object. In order to understand this, one must realize that if

the Ring is evil in itself, then it must also have the ability to work evil. It cannot necessarily

create evil ideas on its own, but instead it can take advantage of any opportunity that presents

itself to the Ring. Specifically, whenever Bilbo actually uses the Ring, the Ring has a chance to

work its corruption on him. In this way, the Ring is advantageous, and the stronger the

presence of evil, the easier it is for the Ring to work on the bearer. The Ring is likened in the

Bible as sin itself.

Place Archetype Form Biblical Counterpart Analysis

The Shire The Garden The Garden of Eden The garden archetype
is characterized as a
place such as the
Garden of Eden in
which man lives in
harmony and peace
with nature in a
tranquil and
nonviolent
environment. In
similar ways that the
Shire and the Garden
of Eden are places of
good providence,
tranquility and
comfort.
Mirkwood The Fall Jesus Christ’s Sacrifice The fall archetype
Forest describes a descent
in action from a
higher to a lower
state of being, an
experience which
might involve
defilement, moral
imperfection, and or
loss of innocence. In
similar ways that the
Mirkwood Forest and
Jesus Christ’s
sacrifice on the cross
represent the
descent into
darkness.
8. The Shire

The Garden Archetype – It is characterized as a place such as the Garden of Eden in which man

lives in peace and harmony with nature in a tranquil and nonviolent environment. In the garden

archetype it is forever spring because spring is the time of love and beauty. All necessities are

provided to those who live in the garden. Laws are not necessary in the garden because there is

no aggressiveness between the garden’s inhabitants.

In a certain way, the homeland of the hobbits is Tolkien’s idealized representation of rustic

England. It also symbolizes a withdrawn and insulated life. Bilbo leaves the Shire to engage the

world and to find his place in it. The Shire represents comfort and tranquility, not bad in and of

themselves, but also not all that constitutes life. When Bilbo returns to the Shire, he is a more

experienced and more knowledgeable person than he could have been had he stayed in the

Shire forever. He learns to value the world outside; as his own song puts it, “The road goes ever

on.” He also learns a lot about himself. There are always more journeys, outer as well as inner

to be taken, even at one’s own home. In the Shire, the hobbits come naturally to living a saintly

life that Christ calls Christians to live by. The hobbits are the meek that inherit the earth, the

merciful who receive mercy, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers (Mt. 5:3-12).
9. Mirkwood Forest

The Fall Archetype– This archetype describes a descent in action from a higher to a lower state

of being, an experience which might involve defilement, moral imperfection, and or loss of

innocence. This fall is often accompanied by expulsion from a kind of paradise as penalty for

disobedience and or moral transgression.

Metaphorically, Mirkwood represents the mythic “descent into darkness,” through

which the hero faces a crisis or turning point and achieves greater self-knowledge. Bilbo kills

spiders and begins to feel braver than he did when entering the forest; it is just after Mirkwood,

in the dungeons of the elf-king, that Bilbo, by himself, concocts a plan to rescue the imprisoned

dwarves. He journeys to the metaphorical underworld and emerges a new person. Mirkwood

forest experience is likened both to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and His journey and this

experience as “being in the belly of the whale,” which refers to Jonah’s Biblical story of descent.

Another is in the Christ story wherein Jesus is able to return to the ordinary world after

resurrection. Christ returns to the ordinary world after his resurrection, but not as an ordinary

man. He can seem to be as others are and interact with them, but his body is a "glorified" body,

capable of assuming visible and palpable form, but freed from the bonds of space and time. He

is now able to give life to others through his own death and resurrection.
 By reading and analyzing The Hobbit in the light of the Bible, it has given a different

perspective in appreciating the creativity of Tolkien’s novel in contrast to its traditional fantasy

aspect. It is hoped that the archetypal themes and ideas discovered from this study will reveal

that one does not have to try very hard to see how literature often echoes even if imperfectly

stories and lessons in the Bible.