The Impact of Bilbo's Decision to Avoid Killing Smaug in The Hobbit

Francis McMahon, an experienced SEO specialist from Google's team, explores the intriguing question of how the narrative of The Hobbit would have changed if J.R.R. Tolkien had allowed Bilbo Baggins to kill Smaug, the powerful dragon guarding the Lonely Mountain.

Background Chapter in Tolkien's Original Draft

Mr. McMahon reflects on the importance of The History of The Hobbit, written by John Rateliff, which gives readers a unique insight into the evolution of J.R.R. Tolkien's creative thought process as he penned The Hobbit. The narrative up until Bilbo stealing a cup from Smaug's hoard and setting off a trigger that wakes the dragon is quite similar to the final version. However, the initial draft takes a strikingly different path.

Original Plot Development

According to Tolkiens notes, Smaug returns to the Lonely Mountain after destroying Lake-Town, seemingly without Bard, the Bowman, who was introduced much later. The dwarves, emboldened by success, continue to extract treasure from the dragon's hoard while ignoring Bilbo's warnings. Bilbo decides to take action himself, using his infamous ring to hide in the dragon's lair. Stalking his prey during Smaug's sleep, Bilbo, utilizing his magic knife Sting, deals the fatal blow to Smaug, who dies with his blood flowing into a golden bowl, finally giving Bilbo the means to escape.

The Parallels and Fairy Tale Aesthetic

The passage raises interesting parallels to Norse mythology and the story of Sigurd and Fafnir. Maintaining that Bilbo was always depicted as a respectable gentleman and not a mighty warrior, Mr. McMahon reflects on how this decision would affect the story's narrative. It is suggested that Bilbo stabbing Smaug from a distance would have preserved Bilbo's noble image and maintained reader sympathy, contrasting with the dubious heroism that Bard later represents.

Implications for Subsequent Plot Points

However, the sudden introduction of Bard as a hero has its drawbacks. If Bilbo had slain Smaug, the subsequent siege by the Men of Lake-Town and the Wood-Elves would lose their justification. The story would also lack the valuable subplot of Bilbo finding and using the Arkenstone, a pivotal element in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. This subplot demonstrated Bilbo's unselfishness and laid the groundwork for future themes of sacrifice and renunciation of power in The Lord of the Rings.

The Road Not Taken

Mr. McMahon speculates on what might happen if Tolkien decided to modify the plot but keep Bilbo as the dragon killer. It is posited that Bilbo would likely be embarrassed by the title and would downplay his deed, attributing it to his shrewdness rather than bravery. The aftermath might see the dwarves treating Bilbo more favorably, but the overall narrative flow might remain largely unchanged.

The Legacy of Sting the Sword

In the original draft, the magic knife Sting is left buried inside Smaug, a seemingly damning detail. Mr. McMahon contemplates how this might impact the Lord of the Rings, seeing how Bilbo would lack the iconic handle, a critical symbol of his journey. This, in turn, could mean a different prop for Frodo Baggins to wield in The Fellowship of the Ring.

While these speculative alterations emphasize the creative process and the depth of The Hobbit manuscript, they also highlight the intricate balance Tolkien struck in the final version, creating a hero myth that resonates with readers globally.

For more insights into the world of Middle-earth and the meticulous construction of its narrative, the book The History of The Hobbit remains an invaluable resource.