The Hobbit & The Light in the Forest

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In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins was nothing but ordinary. In Conrad Ritcher's The Light in the Forest, True Son was everything but ordinary. Both of these characters are on a journey to return to their home. The Hobbit is set in Middle Earth between 2941-2942 B.C. Bilbo lived in the Shire and had never done anything unordinary. But all that changed on the day Gandalf came by and asked Bilbo if he wanted to travel to Middle Earth with him to regain a treasure stolen by Smaug, and evil dragon. Bilbo accepted Gandalf's proposal and was on his way. In The Light in the Forest True Son, real name John Butler discovered that he was forced to be returned to his original white family in Pennsylvania. The fifteen year old boy was adopted eleven years ago by a courageous Indian father named Cuyloga, who was in the Tuscarawas tribe.

Determined to return to his Indian tribe, True Son learned to adapt to his white family. Bilbo Baggins and True Son, the two protagonists lead very different lives from each other, but are similar in many ways.

Bilbo Baggins was very clam and collected. He didn't do anything that caused any danger or mishap. But of course, all that changed when he went on his journey with Gandalf. However, there is another side to Bilbo; he has a very courageous side. This is shown when he saved the dwarves he was traveling with from spiders. Throughout his journey, Bilbo grew into a brave and clever hobbit. He tricked creatures like trolls and even Gollum.

True Son a strong-willed, and rebellious fellow, had to learn to be less stubborn. True Son thought very poorly of the whites, until he learned that the Indians weren't that much better than them. He witnessed his tribe burning down the white people's houses and also scalping them. He realized that both cultures were extremely different, but did the same amount of destruction to each other. True Son had to decide which family to stay with. He realized the only way he was going to make that decision was if he put his stubborn attitude aside. He longed to be a warrior like Cuyloga, but also created a bond with his white younger brother, Gordie. He finally decided to stay with his white family, because that was where he belonged. True son grew mentally and physically during this change in his life.

True Son and Bilbo Baggins act very different, but also similar in many ways. For instance, in the beginning of the novel True Son didn't want to be sent back to his original white family but he had no other choice; Bilbo also didn't want to come along the adventure until Gandalf convinced him, basically giving him no other option either. The two characters did not want to do one thing, but with more thought they changed their minds, realizing it was for the better. In addition, the two protagonists are also very different. For instance, True Son's position was a lot more difficult than Bilbo's. True Son was raised Indian and had to return to his white family, everything would change for him. But Bilbo just went on an adventure and came back home. Bilbo and True Son both had enemies on their journey. Bilbo had Smaug, the trolls, the goblins, the wargs' and Gollum as the antagonists. True Son's enemies were Uncle Wilse and Colonel Bouquet. True Son and Bilbo acted alike with their enemies, they used their intelligence and lack of fear, to get themselves out of a bad situation. Although both are brave, Bilbo is clever and True Son is unpredictable. Bilbo and True Son show bravery several times. For instance, True Son showed no fear when he tried to fight Uncle Wilse. True Son also tried to kill himself and was again fearless. Bilbo showed bravery when saved the dwarves, tricked Gollum and more.

True Son had a difficult time adjusting to the white culture that was forced upon him. But True Son realized that he belonged with his white family, and it was the best for him. He learned a lot on his journey home, and matured. Bilbo Baggins, a rational and fussy character, lead a quiet life. But Bilbo showed his inner strength and his abilities, through bravery and thought. Both these characters had a completely different story, but they both grew throughout their adventure.