Gandalf and Divinity

Gandalf is by far one of the most intriguing characters in The Hobbit. He's a powerful character that shows wisdom, courage, and goodness throughout the story, but is also slightly quirky and is (he admits) sometimes wrong and misguided. What should be made of these seemingly stark contradictions? An equally interesting question was posed in class: is there a god/God in The Hobbit? I propose that in attempting to unravel the enigma that is Gandalf, some sense (if only some) can also be made of the deity question. 

The first introduction to Gandalf the reader is given is key: "By some curious chance one morning long ago in the quiet of the world... Gandalf came by. Gandalf! ...Tales and adventures sprouted up all over the place wherever he went, in the most extraordinary fashion" (Tolkien 31). This suggests that Gandalf means adventure. And when he tells Bilbo that he has no time for smoking pipes, but he is instead there to find "someone to share in an adventure" (32), Bilbo immediately declines. He wants peace and comfort -- not "nasty disturbing uncomfortable things" (32). But interestingly enough, Bilbo betrays his true feelings on the matter when he says, "Bless me, life used to be quite inter-- I mean, you used to upset things badly..." (35). If Gandalf had to be placed on one side of Bilbo's dichotomy, it would be on the Took side. In the end, he succeeds in pushing Bilbo out of his comfort zone and into heroism. 

Gandalf, however, brings more than adventure with him where he goes. He is a true wizard -- powerful in both wisdom and magic. He is so powerful, in fact, that he must separate from the company in order to allow them to rise the challenge. Bilbo cannot become the burglar that Gandalf decided he would be until the wizard was suddenly absent. Gandalf’s job in the story, therefore, was not to complete the task for him, but to assist him in fulfilling his role.

Gandalf leaves the company at two pivotal moments. The first is just before the trolls capture the dwarves, and also just before they enter Mirkwood Forest. “We may meet again” he tells them on the edge of Mirkwood, “…and then again of course we may not. That depends on your luck and on your courage and sense” (187). This may suggest that Gandalf only appears when they are absolutely unable to accomplish something on their own. Otherwise, his presence is unnecessary. Gandalf, in this sense, is not a main character.

The “curious chance” (31) that brought Gandalf to Bilbo’s door seems to be a divine appointment. It was unexpected to Bilbo, but very intentional to the wizard. By this understanding, Gandalf’s presence is proof of the supernatural in Middle-earth. He is their guide and protector, but also extremely powerful. He even has some measure of authority over Thorin Oakenshield. He is above Hobbits and Dwarves – perhaps even above Elves. Most importantly, he is magical.

Although this cannot prove an absolute deity in The Hobbit, it does suggest that a higher power – one that seems to rule over even the wise and powerful Gandalf – must exist in the world of Bilbo. And a higher power brings the reader one step closer to the realization of a deity figure.