The writer starts this finding by telling the basic theme of The Hobbit. Even the most common readers have to agree that the central theme of The Hobbit is struggling between good or truth and evil or wrong.
There have been many philosophers trying to explain the meaning of truth through their philosophical theories. The idealists say that ideas are true if the meaning of a sentence reflects the object adequately. While the rationalists believe that reason is the essential route to truth, which exists in the world of ideas.
In this study the writer shows the meaning of ‘good’ or ‘truth’ that might Tolkien tries to deliver in The Hobbit. The writer analyzes that there are some acts that indicate the meaning of truth as good by pragmatism view, especially the theory delivered by William James. He writes in his book Pragmatism: A new name for some old ways of thinking that truth as good is made and useful. Someone can say that something is true because it is useful or it is useful so it is true.
Moreover, the truth ideas are validated and verified through the real expedience or actions. The wrong ideas cannot be verified and validated through experience. It can be concluded that truth is every action that can bring the doer into good result and the result is useful and satisfying.
In The Hobbit the writer sees this useful-good is delivered by the author through Bilbo Baggins as the main character. Many Bilbo’s actions in the novel clearly show his pragmatism. This is the same thing with pragmatism that emphasizes on human actions. Pragmatism itself is taken from Greek 'pragma' which means action or work.
The writer finds that Bilbo’s decision in joining the adventure with thirteen dwarves is right in pragmatic view. At first Bilbo refuses Gandalf’s invitation because he considers there will be more bad things happened than the good ones.
“’I should think so - in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can’t think what anybody sees in them,’ said our Mr. Baggins.”(The Hobbit, p. 4)
But Gandalf makes such a sign on the Bilbo’s door which approximately means; burglar wants a good job, plenty of Excitement and reasonable reward. Because of that sign, the dwarves and also Gandalf get together in Bilbo’s house and have a meeting there. When Thorin, son of the dwarves’ king, explains the adventure and also the dangers that might happen, suddenly Bilbo screams and shudders. The dwarves become doubtful to Bilbo, even Gloin, one of the dwarves says that at the first time he comes to the house Bilbo looks more like a grocer than a burglar. Bilbo is offended with the words and finally decides to join the adventure.
“’Pardon me,’ he [Bilbo] said, ‘if I have overheard words that you were saying. I don’t pretend to understand what you are talking about, or your reference to burglars, but I think I am right in believing’ (this is what he called being on his dignity) ‘that you think I am no good. I will show you. I have no signs on my door-it was painted a week ago-, and I am quite sure you have come to the wrong house. As soon as I saw your funny faces on the door-step, I had my doubts. But treat it as the right one. Tell me what you want done, and I will try it, if I have to walk from here to the East of East and fight the wild Were-worms in the Last Desert…’“ (The Hobbit, p. 18-19)
Pragmatism of William James offers a new method in seeing truth. He refuses truth as a static thing in an idea. It implies that truth is not an absolute thing but changeable. Moreover truth can be made. This point of view also guides to see that ideas are only instruments or equipment for reaching the goals. Thus motivation of the subject can determine the truth in an idea.
In Bilbo Baggins, the motivation of his act to join the adventure is his resentfulness because the dwarves oversimplify him. Of course, the writer does not directly say through the motivation of Bilbo’s act becoming right. The writer adds with verification that also becomes a requirement to prove that the acts that Bilbo takes are right. As stated by James that truth needs verification.
In a brief explanation, verification process to an idea is divided into two views: prospective and retrospective. Prospectively, an idea is true if it directs to do an action. In this case, verification process starts and the idea might be proven to be right. Retrospectively, verification process has reached the result. If the result is useful, the idea is the right one. Further William James states that “True is the name for whatever idea starts the verification-process, useful is the name for its completed function in experience”.
Bilbo’s decision in joining adventure causes many troubles for himself, Gandalf and the dwarves, but finally, his decision proves to be right according to the result of the action. In the end of his adventure, he gets the goal of the adventure; takes the treasure deprived by the marauding dragon Smaug.
One of Bilbo’s decisions in the adventure is when he bravely sneaks into a group of troll for stealing. It is because of some reasons. One of them is because he and the dwarves are wet by rain. They are also lost most of their supplies because their ponies that carry their supplies get scared and soon run away. While nobody knows where Gandalf has gone away, Bilbo has already been trusted as their experienced burglar. He sees a bon fire and smoke that indicate there is assign of life. When he approaches to the fire, he sees trolls having roast lamb. With all those reasons in addition to his belief, he decides to pick the trolls’ pockets in order to get something useful for him and the dwarves. Even though, at first he is not sure of his action, but he does it anyway.
“Bilbo knew it. He had read of a good many things he had never seen or done. He was very much alarmed, as well as disgusted… So he stood and hesitated in the shadows. Of the various burglarious proceedings he had heard of picking the trolls’ pockets seemed the least difficult…” (The Hobbit, p. 35-36)
The idea of his act is exactly the same as what James writes.
“If I am lost in the woods and starved, and find what looks like a cow-path, it is of the utmost importance that I should think of a human habitation at the end of it, for if I do so and follow it, I save myself. The true thought is useful here because the house which is its object is useful.” (Pragmatism, p. 203)
One event that cannot be put aside relating to Bilbo’s act that shows his pragmatism is when Bilbo gets lost in goblins cave and meets Gollum. They play the riddle. In the game, they make a bet. If Bilbo wins, Gollum will give a way out of the cave, but if he loses Gollum will eat him.
Bilbo knows that the riddle-game is sacred and of immense antiquity, and even wicked creatures are afraid to cheat when they play at it. But he asks a question that is not supposed to be a riddle. He skews in the game. He asks the ‘real’ question. He asks about something in his pocket. He realizes his fraud —even at the first it accidentally happened. Gollum also tells about Bilbo’s fraud but he still gives the question as a riddle.
“’Not fair! not fair!’ he [Gollum] hissed. ‘It isn’t fair, my precious, is it, to ask us what it’s got in its nassty little pocketses?’
Bilbo seeing what had happened and having nothing better to ask stuck to his question. ‘What have I got in my pocket?’ he said louder.” (The Hobbit, p. 79)
Bilbo’s decision that seems to be a pragmatic decision is when he jumps over Gollum and crawl past the Goblins to squeeze through the closing door wearing the ring that can make him invisible. The ring actually belongs to Gollum. Bilbo accidentally finds it before he meets Gollum.
Skipping Gollum when he is angry because his precious ring is taken and passing the goblin that are very angry because their leader was killed by Gandalf, not only need the courage but also need encouragement that can motivate him. He also needs to consider the benefit and the loss. And that what he does. He thinks that whatever the dangers of passing Gollum and goblins are much better than he should live in the goblins’ cave alone. He realizes the danger threatening him and his pragmatism shows him to act and finally he is free from goblins’ cave.
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