In the following excerpt, Matthews discusses The Hobbit from a psychoanalytic perspective.
J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit has received very little serious critical attention other than as the precursor of The Lord of the Rings. It has usually been praised as a good introduction to the trilogy, and as a children's book, but anyone familiar with psychoanalysis cannot avoid being tantalized by recurrent themes and motifs in the three stories. Bilbo's story has surprising depths that can be plumbed by the reader who is receptive to psychoanalytic interpretations.
The central pattern of The Hobbit is, quite obviously, a quest. Like so many heroes before him, Bilbo sets out on a perilous journey, encounters and overcomes many obstacles (including a confrontation with a dragon) and returns victorious after he has restored a kingdom and righted ancient wrongs. However,.....
This is a free excerpt of 135 words. This section contains 1,283 words. This
study guide contains 27,477 words (approx. 92 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Literature Guide with our The Hobbit Access Pass.
