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     What is a good book without vivid, descriptive vocabulary? No one likes to read a monotonous, bland story without imagery to lean on; fortunately, we do not have to face such a miserable case with The Hobbit. The Hobbit is filled with numerous accounts of imagery. Not only does the imagery Tolkien employs help to provide a visualization for the reader, but it also evokes a deeper meaning.

     First and foremost, to understand Tolkien's use of imagery, one must understand imagery itself. Imagery is vocabulary that requires the reader to use all five senses, providing mental images, motifs, or bringing memories to mind. There are two types of imagery: literal and figurative. In the case of The Hobbit, Tolkien focuses and utilizes figurative imagery more than literal.  Figurative imagery can be classified as meaning more than just what is says, mainly by applying simile, metaphor, and personification (and the like), as Tolkien does in The Hobbit.

     For instance, similes are used to describe Elrond, the master of the house, by saying, "He was as noble and as fair in face as an elf-lord, as strong as a warrior, as wise as a wizard, as venerable as a king of dwarves, and as kind as summer" (49 Tolkien). All of these similes act as foreshadows to Bilbo's upcoming journey, almost in an ironic way. Ironically because the summer months were not kind to them, for example.

     Tolkien takes advantage of metaphor in his epic as well. When describing Gandalf, he says, "Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his hat" (5). In the same way that it provides a mental image of Gandalf's appearance, Tolkien is also implying that Gandalf is slightly shady in his ways. We do not come to this realization until further reading the story when Gandalf departs from Bilbo and the dwarves unexpectedly.

     Furthermore, personification is found in The Hobbit too. While journeying on, it is stated that the "wind got up, and willows along its banks bent and sighed" (30). Obviously, wind cannot bend and sigh as we humans can - this is personification. In addition to this personification adding imagery to the text, it leaves me feeling eerie; almost like something in the air is mysterious. A few sentences later, it is revealed the Gandalf is gone.

     J.R.R. Tolkien does an excellent job providing readers imagery that will hold attention. He does so by leaving the reader to ponder the deeper meaning of similes, metaphors, or personification. All readers appreciate something to visualize; and it is because of that, that Tolkien holds a high place in literature.