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Why does Gandalf choose Bilbo to accompany the dwarves?
Gandalf doesn’t go into explicit detail, but mentions to the dwarves that Bilbo would be a welcome and useful choice to their company. Gandalf knows that hobbits are unassuming by nature, making him a good candidate for burglary, neither attracting too much attention nor falling prey to the greed that consumes the dwarves. What’s more, Gandalf knows that Bilbo’s Took nature means that has an appetite for adventure that only needs to be coaxed.
Why does Thorin dislike Bilbo?
Thorin and Bilbo have worldviews that are diametrically opposed. Hobbits value the comforts of home and festivity, while dwarves seek riches and battle. Throughout their journey, Thorin continues to undermine Bilbo, despite Thorin’s own lack of preparedness and clear leadership views. Bilbo’s supremely hobbit-like takes on various situations cause Thorin to treat him with hostility, as if being personally attacked. This slow simmer reaches a boil when Thorin finally gets his hands on the treasure, which clouds his judgments entirely. When Bilbo brings Bard the Arkenstone, Thorin is utterly furious to the point of attack, if not for a last-minute interference from Gandalf.
Why does Bilbo give Bard the Arkenstone?
Bilbo originally conceals the Arkenstone from Thorin and takes it for himself due to a desire to curb the dwarves’ greed. Later, as Thorin and the dwarves launch their claim to keep all the treasure for themselves, Bilbo gives Bard the Arkenstone to use as leverage against the dwarves. Knowing that Thorin treasures this gem above all others, Bilbo hopes that he can prevent the coming battle.
Who kills Smaug?
Smaug is killed by Bard. In the dragon’s keep, Bilbo witnesses the missing scale in Smaug’s armor. As he tells the dwarves about it, a nearby thrush listens to the information and flies to Lake Town to relay to Bard what he has heard. Birds in this area used to be messengers to communicate with the people of Dale, where Bard is from. Uniquely qualified to hear the message, Bard also possesses a warrior’s strength and the nerve required to fight Smaug. With his final arrow, Bard skillfully pierces Smaug’s hide, killing him.
What happens to Thorin at the end of The Hobbit?
After Bilbo is knocked out during the battle, he reawakens and discovers a fatally wounded Thorin. Thorn, it seems, had been holding on, partially to have one final conversation with Bilbo. Here, he admits that he finally understands Bilbo’s worldview, conceding that he was acting in the wrong. He asks for Bilbo’s forgiveness, emphasizing that he now agrees that the world would be better if it had more Bilbos than Thorins.
