Character Descriptions
Bilbo Baggins- Bilbo is the main character and he is a hobbit. He is small but he has a big heart. He is brave and he also has a strong heart. He isn't selfish and he thinks of others. He is brave because he doesn't know the details of the journey he is about to embark upon, and he knows that he could die, but he takes the risk anyway . That is what makes him not selfish. He doesn't even know the Dwarves but he gets asked to help. His response to Thorin Oakenshield when he is questioned is, "Look, I know you doubt me, I know you always have. And you're right... I often think of Bag End. I miss my books, and my armchair, and my garden. See, that's where I belong, that's home. That's why I came back... 'cause you don't have one, a home. It was taken from you. But I will help you take it back if I can". That shows that he cares about people he doesn't even know. That also shows how he has a big heart and how he is caring. Another example is how in the book he wakes up the next day and once he finds the team is not there then he realizes how bad they needed him. Then he goes to help them. He is kind and honorable. He has never used a sword in his life. The wise wizard , Gandalf, believes in him and when questioned about choosing Bilbo, Gandalf says, "I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep darkness at bay..small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid... and he gives me courage."
|
Thorin Oakenshield- Thorin is a brave, pride driven and greedy man. He is the leader of the dwarves and the heir to the title King. He is a hard character to know. He is harsh and quiet on the outside, but the reader knows deep down he is good. His past has made him who he is. His people were pushed from the Lonely Mountain as a child. His father died and he does not trust many people. The dwarves see him as their leader, but really Gandalf leads the group. He is a very strong fighter. He is stubborn. This is evident when he refuses to make a pact with the Elvenking. He is not the bravest , like Balin and Dwalin. When they get to the mountain he refuses to go into the lair until he knows everyone else is ok. He often seems conflicted with his feelings in the book. It is like he wants to do good, but is stubborn and untrusting from his past. In the end , he refuses a treaty with the men and elves, and threatens Bilbo. But, when he dies he apologizes and his true self is revealed and we know he really wanted to lead the dwarves and wanted what was best for them.
|
Gandalf The Grey- Gandalf is a strong hearted, brave, and clever wizard. He cares about everyone especially if someone goes missing. He always tries to help them. He saves many lives and he is kind of the supervisor of the journey. He makes sure people are safe and doing everything right. He always thinks about everyone else. In the fields by the elven city when the group is attacked by orcs, he does everything he can to keep them safe by sending them to the Hidden Valley to get safety from the elves. Also when they are being attacked by orcs, then Gandalf directs them to someone's house who he knows, named Beorn, because he wants to save the group. He is also brave. He knows what he is doing and he is brave because of that. When they go to Beorn's house and then they go on the Hidden Elven Trail, Gandalf departs from the group so he can go ahead another way and make sure its safe for them and so they won't get attacked. Gandalf's biggest trait is that he's very smart and wise. He always knows more then what is going on before anyone else does. Before the Dwarves do something dangerous he can tell them if its safe because he knows if it is. He has a vision about what is going to happen to the group. He makes wise choices to affect the outcome, and is able to judge people well. One of his wisest choices and clear judgment of people was in his choice to have Bilbo join the journey. He knew Bilbo was brave, kind an selfless.
|
Dwalin- Dwalin is a key character but he doesn't come out much in it. He is brave. and strong in battle. He is not afraid to lead in battles. In the book Dwalin shows he is brave by doing a few things. The first thing he does is he takes on the orcs. When they are being attacked in the field by the hidden valley, Dwalin stands up to them and takes the orcs head on before anyone else. At one point they get captured going through the forest with the hidden pathway. They are being attacked by the orcs and then they escape. Without Dwalin, the escape would not have been possible because he is the one to hold down the orcs to help them get to the water gate. Going along with being brave, Dwalin is a very strong fighter. In the story he can fight with any weapon and fluently. In the book he shows this by standing his ground when the orcs are attacking them. He also has a strong heart. The strong heart goes with the strong fighting. Without his strong heartedness he wouldn't fight as hard. His brother, Balin, and him are both very strong at heart. He cares about the whole group. He wants them all to live and he wants them all to get their homes back. He puts people ahead of him and he cares. In the book, again when they are being attacked by the dwarves, he almost gets killed because he stays out of the valley with Gandalf to make sure everyone gets in safely. He almost gets killed waiting for everyone.
|
Balin- Balin is Dwalin's brother. They also have the same traits. He is second in command of the dwarves after Thorin. Balin is very strong hearted and kind. He goes with Gandalf as sort of the supervisor of the journey. He is very wise and kind. In the boom he kind of takes in Bilbo. When Bilbo is new to the group he shows his kindness by taking him in. He tells him everything he needs to know. He is very strong hearted and caring. He cares about his group so much. When he is fighting he puts the groups life before his. He is also very brave. Fighting he jumps into everything to protect everyone. He is also brave for that reason.
|