"In a hole under the ground there lived a hobbit... This is the story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected."
Tolkien opens the novel by introducing the hobbit... well, the hobbits, "they are a little people, about half our height, and smaller than the bearded dwarves. There is little or no magic about them, except the ordinary, everyday sort which helps them to disappear quietly and quickly when large stupid folk like you and me come blundering along, making a noise like elephants which they can hear a mile off. They are inclined to be fat in the stomach; they dress in bright colours; wear no shoes, because their feet grow natural leathery soles and thick warm brown hair like the stuff on their heads; good-natured faces and laugh deep fruity laughs."
The hobbit we will accompany through the story is Bilbo Baggins. The Bagginses were "very respectable, rich, and they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected." Why then are we following a Baggins hobbit's quest? It seems unlikely that Bilbo will provide us with the daring, courageous, brave, and bold characteristics that a hero would... But Bilbo's mother, Belladonna Took, like all the other Tooks, "would go and have adventures." So Tolkien provides us with a bit of hope that Bilbo's inner adventurer will emerge, because he "got something a bit queer in his make-up from the Took side, something that only waited for a chance to come out."
Bilbo is visited by Gandalf, a very famous, respectable, wizard that hadn't been seen or heard from in The Hill for a long time. Tales were often told of his many extraordinary fashions. So upon visiting, Gandalf expresses to Bilbo
"I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone."
Bilbo is immediately turned off by the idea and declares
"We are plain and quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!"
And after a brief comedic and witty dialogue in which Gandalf reveals to Bilbo his identity and how Bilbo's "good morning" actually meant "please go away" or "you're no good till you're off," Bilbo dismisses Gandalf, inviting him to tea the next day.
But instead, 13 dwarves come visisting by the door the next afternoon, and keep Bilbo in the stiff and overwhelming task of supper and tea for the large group. After Gandalf arrives and the group has settled in, they recite a powerful song that introduces their purpose, and then discuss their plans and the purpose of the upcoming journey with Bilbo, explaining the history upon which a "most specially greedy, strong and wicked worm called Smaug" destroyed their kingdom of Dale (which belonged to Thorin's grandfather Thror) and now resides in the Lonely Mountain of Dale with the dwarves' treasure.
The bells were ringing in the dale
And men looked up with faces pale;
Then dragon's ire more fierce and than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.
Far over misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns cold
We must away, ere break of day,
To find our long-forgotten gold.
The 13 dwarves did in fact instantly doubt that Mr. Baggins would be appropiate for the burglar position they needed assistance from. Gandalf is infuriated by that, and assures the dwarves,
"I have chosen Mr. Baggins and that ought to be enough for all of you. If I say he is a burglar, a burglar he is, or will be when the time comes. There is a lot more to him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself. You may all possibly live to thank me yet."Bilbo did indeed question Gandalf's words, and so himself. But a midst the talks of the adventure and the inspection of the map, Bilbo's heart and spirit flush out all cowardice, laziness, and a small spark ignites inside. That spark was the Took side of him, for it had won!
"He suddenly felt he would do without bed and breakfast to be thought fierce. Many a time afterwards the Baggins part regretted what he did now, and he said to himself: 'Bilbo, you were a fool; you walked right in and put your foot in it.' "
