The Hobbit, or There and Back Again

Main Characters and Their Development

• Bilbo Baggins - a quiet and unassuming hobbit from the Shire, initially appears timid and averse to adventures. As the story progresses, he gains courage, resourcefulness, and proves his uniqueness. By the end of the book, he becomes a hero celebrated in tales and songs.
• Gandalf - a powerful wizard who persuades Bilbo to join the dwarves' expedition. Cheerful and wise, he has a critical influence on events, though he leaves the heroes for long periods to attend to his own tasks.
• Thorin Oakenshield - the leader of the company of dwarves, seeking to reclaim gold and Erebor, the dwarves' ancestral homeland, from the dragon Smaug. He begins his journey as a proud and noble leader, but his lust for gold gradually leads to blindness and cruelty. Ultimately, he realizes his mistakes, but this insight comes only before his death.
• Smaug - a powerful and greedy dragon who has taken over Erebor and the dwarves' treasures. He symbolizes the destructive power of greed and pride. After meeting Bilbo, his overconfidence becomes his downfall.
• Gollum - a mysterious and solitary creature possessing the One Ring. The encounter with Gollum becomes a turning point for Bilbo, revealing the dark and dangerous influence of the magical ring.