Mrs. Dupuy's Reading Room

In the book, The Hobbit, Gandalf tells Bilbo that he is "only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all." Bilbo responds by saying that he is pleased to be "only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all." What this statement means to me is that he does not think he has done anything important in his life. I think it is very ironic because Bilbo did a great deal in his lifetime, especially when compared to the other hobbits who never left the Shire. Bilbo and I share very different views. I am not content being just a little fellow in the world. I prefer to play a role in the world by being involved in something special or of importance. It would also be important for me to understand what role I play in it. One of my goals in life is to make a difference by serving our country in the military. Although I will only be one soldier, I feel I will be contributing to the greater good. I would not be happy at all to be only quite a little fellow in a wide world. To me when you are part of something special the world is a better place. In the book Bilbo’s response to Gandalf is that he is content to not play an important role in the world, where I want to play an important role.

Miller Hilliard