The Hobbit Greed Essay

The Role of Wealth in The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel, The Hobbit, demonstrates how corruptive wealth can be. Tolkien expresses the struggles of class and the problems wealth brings, with a focus on the problems of greed. Treasure in The Hobbit is used as motivation and keeps the dwarves on their quest while creating tension between Thorin and Bilbo, as well as many other characters. By examining the personalities of characters such as Smaug, Bilbo, and Thorin, and their many acts of greed and selflessness helps show how wealth is portrayed throughout the book. Tolkien’s The Hobbit portrays wealth and its relation to greed that corrupts many people while connecting the characters’ struggles to problems of the real world. The dilemma of greed in The Hobbit is a prominent theme, as characters struggle with ethical choices and consequences of their actions. For example, the Dwarves in The Hobbit are driven …show more content…
Treasure is what initially motivated Bilbo to leave, but throughout the book he overcomes his greed and controls that of others. This is shown when it becomes clear the only thing Thorin is concerned with is the Arkenstone and Bilbo gives it away to prevent any problems that would arise due to Thorns’s greed. Bilbo once said, “it is no sin to live a simple life” showing his reserved life style. While in the Misty Mountains, Bilbo comes upon a ring, he thought it was odd for it to be in such a remote place, but he kept it out of curiosity. The hobbits are simple, peaceful, content with what they have, and generous. The way the author portrays the hobbits such as Bilbo, reveals the importance of selflessness and resisting the greediness that can come along with the opportunity of wealth. The reader gets an idea of how life could be if people were without of greed and desire for