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Literary Devices
Definition of Allegory
An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic characters and events. The story of "The Tortoise and The Hare" is... read full definition
An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic characters and events. The story of "The... read full definition
An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic characters and... read full definition
Allegory
Explanation and Analysis—Salvation Stories:
There is a way to read The Hobbit as an allegory for the belief system at the core of Christianity. Tolkien, a devout Catholic, insisted that his books were not direct Christian allegories. In fact, he famously disliked the way his friend C.S. Lewis used his own fantasy world, Narnia, to promote Christian teachings. Tolkien aspired to create a fantasy world that was not a reflection of the real world or its ideologies, but rather a world all unto itself. The people of Middle Earth have no concept of Christianity as an institution and hardly even have any organized religion. However, there is some tension between Tolkien’s criticism of Lewis and the many, many parallels between The Hobbit and the Bible.
Related Themes:
Chapter 1: An Unexpected Journey
Explanation and Analysis—World War I:
Tolkien was reluctant to admit that his fantasy directly represented real-world events, but The Hobbit can be interpreted as an allegory for World War I (a horrifyingly violent war in which Tolkien fought). Thorin lays the groundwork for the allegory in Chapter 1, when he describes Smaug's initial pillaging of the Lonely Mountain:
Unlock with LitCharts A+So my grandfather’s halls became full of armour and jewels and carvings and cups, and the toy market of Dale was the wonder of the North.
Undoubtedly that was what brought the dragon. Dragons steal gold and jewels, you know, from men and elves and dwarves, wherever they can find them; and they guard their plunder as long as they live (which is practically for ever, unless they are killed), and never enjoy a brass ring of it.
Related Themes:
