A few days ago
enna

The Hobbit?

I’m reading the Hobbit for required reading for high school, and I need help with this question: When Bilbo spares Gollum, does he make the right decision? (Chapter 6, I believe).

I don’t understand it…how did Bilbo spare Gollum? He just ran for his life…I don’t know how he “spared” Gollum.

Top 6 Answers
A few days ago
whitesideddolphin

Favorite Answer

Just before Bilbo escapes into the cave with goblins, he has to jump over Gollum and for a moment he considers killing Gollum: “He must stab the foul thing, put its eyes out, kill it. It meant to kill him.” Then he reconsiders: “No, not a fair fight. He was invisible now. Gollum had no sword. Gollum had not actually threatened to kill him, or tried yet. And he was miserable, alone, lost. A sudden understanding, a pity mixed with horror, welled up in Bilbo’s heart.”

So instead he just jumps over him and runs away. He could have easily stabbed Gollum from behind, being invisible and all but he decided otherwise.

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A few days ago
dukefenton
Bilbo had the Ring and the dagger Sting. He could easily have killed Gollum; and might have had some justification, in that Gollum was clearly intending to double-cross and kill him. This became a crisis when Gollum was blocking the exit tunnel. Instead of attacking, Bilbo jumped over Gollum once the way out was clear, and simply ran. This was based on his compassion, given that Gollum was as much pathetic as malicious; and probably helped Bilbo resist the corrupting influence of the Ring.
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A few days ago
M G
Bilbo could have killed Gollum while invisible. According to Gandalf, it was the right decision because Gollum still had a role to play.
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A few days ago
Robert K
The explanations above have got it. I’ll add that it eventually is seen that Bilbo’s mercy was important. I can’t tell you why. That would be a spoiler.

but if you like this story, you’ll like the Lord of the Rings.

It seems a bit tedious to many the first time through, but it’s worth it.

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A few days ago
doggiebike
Bilbo was following the theme of good over evil and taking the high road.
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A few days ago
Anonymous
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

Study Guides

These links will give you a summary of the book, character analysis, plot and much more, so that you will be able to answer literary questions.

http://www.bookrags.com/notes/hob/

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/hobbit/

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmHobbit02.asp

http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/hobbit/

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/id-171.html

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barrons/hobbit02.asp

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