Summary
Chapter 1. Uninvited guests
In a cozy hole underground lived a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. One day, “the unsuspecting Bilbo saw just an old man with a staff” - it was the famous wizard Gandalf, whom the hobbit did not immediately recognize.
Gandalf did not know "who to take on the adventure" he was about to embark on. After talking with Bilbo, he chose that little hobbit.
The next day, gnomes began to gather at Baggins' hole. They behaved extremely unceremoniously and swept away all his food supplies. When Gandalf appeared, Bilbo realized that he was drawn into some kind of story. He learned that the dwarves had lost the Lonely Mountain, in which the terrible dragon Smough settled. Together with the dwarves and wizards, Bilbo decided to go on a dangerous journey as a burglar.
Chapter 2. Roast lamb
The next morning the whole company set off. Despite the fact that it was July, it was constantly pouring rain, and the travelers were not in the most cheerful mood. It deteriorated even more when in the evening it became clear that Gandalf had disappeared somewhere, and soon the pony and the luggage had run away - “so there were mere crumbs left for dinner, and even less for breakfast.”
The upset dwarves tried to make a fire, but to no avail. Seeing a light in the distance, they sent Bilbo on reconnaissance, since only “hobbits know how to move silently in the forest, completely silently.”
Near the fire, Bilbo saw three giants roasting lamb. He wanted to demonstrate his burglar skills, but the huge troll managed to catch him. In response to the noise, gnomes appeared, whom the trolls began to catch in bags.
The fate of the friends would have been very sad if Gandalf had not arrived in time. Before the morning he turned the giants into stones. Friends found a lot of treasures in the troll cave. Bilbo “chose for himself a dagger in a leather scabbard,” and buried part of the treasure.
Chapter 3. Respite
Gandalf informed the travelers that he intended to make a short stop in Rivendell, where the elves lived. They greeted the wizard and his little friends with great cordiality. Having learned about the purpose of their journey, the leader of the elves - the wise Elrond - carefully examined the map and said that they could find the exact location of the keyhole on the day of the Last Autumn Moon.
Chapter 4. Over the mountains and under the mountain
The hobbit and the dwarves, “guided by the advice of Elrond and the knowledge of Gandalf,” chose the right path to the desired pass. The road, “lost in the mountains,” was difficult and dangerous. It was cold here, a piercing wind was blowing, and it was necessary to talk in a whisper so as not to inadvertently cause a collapse of stones.
One day, the wanderers “were overtaken by a thunderstorm—and not just a thunderstorm, but a real thunderstorm.” They decided to take shelter from the bad weather in a dry cave, which one of the gnomes found. The friends settled down comfortably and soon fell asleep. Their peace was disturbed by the appearance of the owners of the cave - they were “huge goblins, huge ugly goblins.”
Roughly seizing the dwarves and the hobbit, they brought them to their master - a gigantic goblin “with a huge head.” When he saw the “sword from the trolls’ lair,” he roared with rage - it was the same sword that had destroyed more than one hundred goblins.
The dwarves and Bilbo were on the verge of death, but at the last moment they were saved by Gandalf, killing the Great Orc. The friends set off again, but along the way they had to engage in battle with orcs several times, and as a result, Bilbo fell behind his comrades.
Chapter 5. Riddles in the dark
Finding himself alone, Bilbo wandered into a tunnel that led him to the shore of an underground lake. Here "lived old Gollum, the slimy little creature." Noticing Bilbo, "Gollum wondered intensely who it was." He met the hobbit and began to play riddles with him. They began to ask riddles, not inferior to each other in ingenuity and intelligence.
When Bilbo's imagination ran out, he asked Gollum what was in his pocket. He was confused and could not answer. Suddenly he realized that in the hobbit’s pocket there might be his “charm” - a magic ring that can make its owner invisible.
In a rage, Gollum rushed at Bilbo, but he managed to put the ring on his finger and be freed unharmed.
Chapter 6. Out of the frying pan and into the fire
Bilbo was very lucky and almost immediately found the dwarves and Gandalf. His sudden appearance caused a great commotion. Having told about his meeting with Gollum, he hid about the magic ring. But it seemed to Bilbo that “the wizard had guessed the unsaid.”
The friends hurried to leave the Misty Mountains before nightfall. Suddenly they heard a wolf howl - these were merciless enemies hurrying towards the orcs who were going to attack human settlements.
Gandalf ordered everyone to immediately climb the trees. He began throwing fire cones at the wolves, and soon everything around was blazing with flames. At that moment, “goblins ran into the clearing screaming,” and the friends were trapped.
Salvation came in the form of the Eagles, who "became curious about what was going on below." Taking pity on the dwarves, they carried them to safety and provided them with provisions.
Chapter 7. An unprecedented refuge
The eagles carried the wanderers even further from the mountains. Gandalf informed the dwarves that he intended to leave them because he had “other urgent matters awaiting him.” They began to cry and lament - they did not want to be left alone, they begged the wizard not to leave them alone.
Gandalf warned his friends that he would introduce them to the strong and terrible werewolf Beorn. In order not to inadvertently anger him, the wizard decided to introduce him to the dwarves one by one, for “in anger he is terrible, although in a good mood he is very kind.”
Beorn was in good spirits and gave shelter to the little travelers. He listened with pleasure to the story of their wanderings, and was especially pleased by the news of the slain Great Orc.
Thanking Beorn for his hospitality, the friends set off. When “the time came to say goodbye to Gandalf,” everyone’s spirits sank. The wizard told the dwarves and the hobbit to be careful and never leave the path.
Chapter 8. Spiders and flies
The dwarves had to walk through a dense, dark forest, while “the road itself was narrow and wound between the trunks, as if in a tunnel.” Several times Bilbo climbed the trees, but he could not see the end of this forest.
After a while, travelers began to notice the lights of fires around which someone was feasting. Forgetting Gandalf's warning, they rushed towards the fires. However, the fires began to disappear one after another, and the dwarves realized that they were lost.
That’s when they “became truly scared.” At that moment, the gnomes were attacked by monstrous creatures - huge hairy spiders. They quickly entwined the gnomes with their sticky web, turning them into cocoons. Only Bilbo managed to escape thanks to the magic ring. He distracted the spiders and freed his friends. To explain his amazing luck, he had to reveal his secret with the ring.
Chapter 9. In barrels to freedom
The dwarves had barely recovered from their encounter with the spiders when they became victims of an attack by armed elves. They did not treat them very kindly, tying them “in a long chain.” Bilbo managed to remain unnoticed this time too. He followed the elves, and soon found himself in their palace.
The dwarves were placed in a dungeon where there was a warehouse of empty barrels. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Bilbo stole the keys from the guard and freed his friends. The dwarves climbed into the barrels, and after a while the elves, without suspecting anything, pushed them into the water. Then the raft elves tied the barrels together and sent them down the river.
Chapter 10
Bilbo, sitting on one of the barrels, admired the surroundings. Soon the majestic Lonely Mountain, “crowned with ragged clouds,” appeared before his eyes. Around the bend in the river one could see the Long Lake, on the endless banks of which lay the majestic city of Esgaroth.
Having driven the barrels to the shore, the raft elves went to the city to rest for a while. Bilbo took advantage of this and, one by one, freed his friends from their captivity - “wet, covered in abrasions and bruises, they still didn’t really realize that they had broken free.”
Thorin Oakshield, the king of the dwarves, majestically entered the city and ordered to be taken to the mayor. At first, the mayor did not believe Thorin’s words, since the dwarves were dressed in rags and looked very pitiful. When Thorin announced that he was the King-under-the-mountain, the crowd rejoiced - everyone was happy about the return of the dwarves.
The travelers' wounds were treated, "after which they began to feed and care for everyone." Finally, after so much wandering, the friends were able to rest properly.
Thorin then declared that he "intends to march with his companions to the Mountain" and reclaim his treasure. They boarded boats and set off across the Far Lake to the dragon's abode.
Chapter 11. On the threshold
Two days later, the dwarves found themselves at the foot of the Lonely Mountain. Here “nothing indicated the proximity of the dragon,” and the travelers went to the Main Gate. When examining the area, they concluded that the gate was probably guarded by a dragon - there were too many crows here, and black smoke was billowing everywhere.
Then the dwarves walked around the mountain and found a secret door on which “there were no hinges, no latch, no threshold, no keyhole.” They tried to open it with picks and crowbars, but to no avail.
Finally Bilbo remembered Elrond's words about the last day of autumn. Having waited until the sun disappeared below the horizon, the friends saw how its last ray pointed to the keyhole in the wall. Thorin inserted his key into it and the door opened.
Chapter 12. What awaited them inside
The dwarves argued for a long time about who should be the first to enter the dark doorway - it was too scary to do so. Bilbo had to do this, even though he was no less afraid than others. He safely reached the lair of the dragon, who was sleeping and “snoring loudly.” Beneath him “were piles of countless treasures,” and Bilbo, unable to bear it, grabbed the heavy golden cup and “ran away.”
When the dragon woke up, he immediately noticed what was missing. Furious, he went in search of the thieves. The dwarves only miraculously escaped persecution by hiding in a secret passage.
When "the dwarves had recovered a little from their fear," they persuaded Bilbo to sneak into their treasury once more. The hobbit put on the ring, but the dragon still smelled it. They began to talk, and Bilbo was extremely puzzled by the dragon's excellent knowledge.
Smough began to boast about his strong scales, but upon closer examination, Bilbo noticed that there was a bald area on his chest - several scales had peeled off, and in this place the dragon was “naked, like a snail without a shell.”
Having learned everything he needed, Bilbo returned to the dwarves and told them everything. An old blackbird sitting on a branch nearby listened attentively to their conversation.
Chapter 13. While the owner was not at home
When the gnomes decided to get out of the cave, they realized with horror that the entrance was blocked with stones - “neither a key nor a spell could open the door.” Having calmed down a little, they went to their treasury. Among the piles of gold, Bilbo accidentally noticed the Arkenstone - a precious stone, the most important treasure of the Lonely Mountain. Without thinking twice, the hobbit hid the stone in his pocket.
In gratitude for his courage, Bilbo received a gift from Thorin - a chain mail "of silver steel, which the dwarves call "mithril"," as well as a richly decorated belt and helmet.
Smough was nowhere to be seen. The dwarves moved to a distant sentry post and began to observe.
Chapter 14. Fire and water
The enraged dragon rushed towards Esgaroth and began to sweep away everything in its path. People fled the city in panic, fleeing the raging flames and destruction. Only a few brave souls dared to shoot the dragon. Among them was a brave archer named Bard. He "shot from a huge yew bow, and all his arrows ran out except one."
Suddenly an old blackbird sat on the Bard’s shoulder and “spoke into his ear.” He told the archer about the dragon's weak point, and he, taking advantage of the advice, mortally wounded the dragon.
Having learned about the death of Smough, many elves and residents of Esgaroth decided to go to the Lonely Mountain - everyone was preoccupied with thoughts of the countless treasures of the dwarves.
Chapter 15. Clouds are gathering
Meanwhile, the dwarves still knew nothing of what had happened, and anxiously awaited the appearance of Smough. The same old blackbird brought them the good news. He also said that people are angry with the dwarves because the dragon completely destroyed Esgaroth. Drozd advised them to trust Bard, who decided to rebuild his hometown of Dale, which once flourished at the foot of the Lonely Mountain. “After years of ruin, Men, Elves and Dwarves can live in peace again,” but this one will cost Thorin money.
The king of the gnomes was overcome by greed - he did not want to share his treasures with anyone. People and elves were quite surprised when at the entrance to the cave they saw a stone blockage, which the dwarves hastened to make. The bard began to appeal to Thorin's conscience. Other warriors also joined the conversation, believing that “at least a twelfth of the treasure should be given to the Bard.” But Thorin responded to all admonitions with an arrow fired from his bow.
Chapter 16. The Night Thief
A series of dull days stretched out, “the dwarves whiled away the time by arranging and sorting out treasures.” Bilbo realized that he had to do something to prevent civil strife between men, elves and dwarves.
Secretly getting out of the cave, he went to the King of the Elves and the Bard and gave them the Arkenstone - this way they could quickly come to an agreement with the stubborn Thorin. Everyone began to praise Bilbo, including Gandalf, who unexpectedly appeared in the camp. He predicted difficult trials for the hobbit that he had to cope with.
Chapter 17. Thunder and lightning
The next morning, Bard and the King of the Elves came to negotiate with Thorin and showed him his main treasure - the Arkenstone stone. Having learned that this was the work of Bilbo, the king of the dwarves in anger wanted to kill him. This was prevented only by the appearance of Gandalf.
“The passion for dragon treasures overwhelmed Thorin so much that he did not want to hear about any agreements. A great battle was brewing. Suddenly, “a black cloud covered the sky, and the mountain shook with thunder.” It was hordes of orcs, goblins and wargs that were approaching the Lonely Mountain. “Over their army, like locusts,” bats flew. The great battle finally began, but the opponents were completely different.
In the midst of the battle, eagles descended from the sky - “a great army from all the mountain nests of the north.” Bilbo was the most happy about them, but a stone thrown from above knocked him down.
Chapter 18. The way back
When the hobbit woke up, “he found no one nearby” - the battle was over. Men, elves and dwarves were able to win thanks to the eagles, which “cleared the slopes, pushing the goblins into the abyss or driving them down directly onto the enemy’s spears.”
Gandalf told Bilbo about the death of Thorin, who was mortally wounded in battle. He was buried under the Lonely Mountain, placing his beloved Arkenstone on his chest. Another dwarf became king, who gave Bard the promised fourteenth of all the treasures. The archer acted nobly and distributed them among the elves and the inhabitants of the destroyed Esgaroth.
Bilbo received two chests filled with gold and silver as a gift. Turning “his back on his adventures,” he went home.
Chapter 19. Happy ending
On the way home, Bilbo and Gandalf visited Elrond in Rivendell and told of their extraordinary adventures. The hobbit also remembered the troll treasure, which he had safely hidden by the river. Having dug it up, he hurried home, where all his property was already being sold at auction.
Bilbo had to convince his relatives for a long time that he was alive and well. His return caused a lot of noise, and “the rumors and gossip did not stop for several months.”
Bilbo spent most of his treasures on buying back his own furniture and gifts to his relatives and friends. He never told anyone about the magic ring, and “he was very happy until the end of his days, and he lived a surprisingly long time.”
Meaning of the work
At its core, the first part of Tolkien’s series of works on the fictional world of Middle-earth is precisely “The Hobbit, or There and Back Again.” The book was successfully filmed by director Peter Jackson, who had previously directed a trilogy based on another of Tolkien’s works, The Lord of the Rings. The film, which was also made into a trilogy, was successful and grossed millions of dollars at the box office. What is the secret of such popularity of seemingly ordinary fantasy, which is now a dime a dozen?
Heroes of the book
The main characters are the hobbit Bilbo, the magician Gandalf and the dwarf king Thorin Oakenshield. The characters are quite different, and in many ways they make the book “The Hobbit, or There and Back Again” so interesting. Let's briefly talk about each hero:
- Bilbo is simple-minded, but also smart, resourceful and loyal. He never let the squad down during the entire campaign, for which Thorin appreciated him, although at first there was a misunderstanding between them.
- Gandalf is the classic image of the wise wizard. He is kind, but at the same time fair and stern, always comes to the rescue. In addition, he knows a lot about the world, which has saved the squad more than once.
- Thorin, as befits a king, even a fugitive one, is powerful, strict, and fair. He is brave, for which he has won the respect of his people, and he is also the only heir to the royal dynasty of Erebor.
What's good about the book?
A summary (“The Hobbit, or There and Back Again”), of course, will not describe all the delights of the book. Tolkien attracts the reader's attention in many ways. Firstly, there is inexhaustible optimism. The book is easy and pleasant to read, it is imbued with positivity, and therefore, even despite the troubles of the heroes, there remains confidence that everything will be fine. Secondly, the characters turned out to be quite interesting, and each of them can be perceived almost as family. Thirdly, Tolkien managed to create a unique and inimitable universe, in which there is so much mysterious and unknown that sometimes it gives you goosebumps.
In fact, Tolkien gave birth to a whole generation of young writers, artists and figures in other arts, who were largely inspired by his works. Therefore, the writer’s contribution to the development of modern literature and art in general is difficult to overestimate.
Tolkien's Universe
Of course, a summary cannot give a complete picture of the author’s works. “The Hobbit, or There and Back Again” is only part of the diverse and multifaceted world created by Tolkien, and one book will not be enough to fully understand the events. Therefore, it is worth reading other works, especially since they are all written at a very high level. There are so many places, regions, creatures and wonders in Tolkien's world that it will appeal to both beginners and people more familiar with the fantasy genre.
