v
CANNOT WRITE A LOT
DOES NOT MEAN STUPID……….
v i
For
God almighty
My beloved mom
My lovely girl
Thank you so much
v ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would like to thank God for always being here for me, blessing me, and always showing me the way.
I would also like to thank for my advisor, Dewi Widyastuti, S.Pd., M.Hum, for all her support, comments, and criticism which are very helpful to finish my thesis. I also thank my co-advisor, Tatang Iskarna, S.S., M.Hum, for his carefulness in reading and checking my thesis.
My special gratitude for my special persons in my life: my mom and my love. To my mom, I thank her for always understanding and supporting me. I will never thank her enough.
My special thanks are for the best friend that I have ever met, miss T. my special gratitude for all your support since my first year in campus. I also thank to miss T for giving me idea and showing me how to write.
At last, but not least, I can finish my thesis. Nothing is perfect, including my thesis.
v iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ……….……….…… i
APPROVAL PAGE ………..………... ii
ACCEPTANCE PAGE ……….….… iii
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI ... iv
MOTTO PAGE ………...…… v
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ………..…… 1
A. Background of the Study ………. 1
B. Problem Formulation ……….…. 11
C. Objectives of the Study ……….……….. 11
D. Definition of Terms ………. 11
CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL REVIEW……….……… 13
A. Review of Related Studies ……….. 14
B. Review of Related Theories ……… 18
1. Theory of Character and Characterization ……….. 18
2. The Value of Heroism ……….…….. 20
C. Theoretical Framework ……….….. 24
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY ……….………… 25
A. Object of the Study ……….. 25
B. Approach of the Study ………...………. 26
C. Method of the Study ……… 27
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS ……….……. 29
A. The Characteristics of Frodo Baggins ……… 30
ix
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION ……… 50
x
ABSTRACT
Petrus Ronald adi prasetiyo (2011) The Value of Heroism in the Characteristics of Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University.
The thesis focuses on the characteristics of Frodo Baggins in the novel of
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring written by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien and what makes him chosen as the ring bearer.
The research is meant to answer the problem about the value of heroism inside a character. There are two problems to be analyzed. First, the question reveals what the characteristics of Frodo Baggins are. The second question reveals how the value of heroism is described in the characteristics of Frodo Baggins.
The method that is used in the study is library research. It means that the study is done by reading, collecting data and information which are considered as accurate, and valid as the source of the study. The writer uses the theory of character and characterization to analyze the character of Frodo Baggins. The value of heroism theory is used to analyze value of heroism inside Frodo’s character. In this thesis, the writer uses the moral-philosophical approach because the writer wants to focus on analyzing the moral value of the character.
The analysis finds out that the characters of Frodo Baggins are friendly, curious, sacrificial, responsible, honest and faithful, courageous, optimistic, and also clumsy. The analysis also finds out the values of heroism inside Frodo are bravery, courage, valor, determination, dedication, endurance, perseverance, selflessness, sacrifice, and also humility.
x i
ABSTRAK
Petrus Ronald adi prasetiyo (2011) The Value of Heroism in the Characteristics of Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
YOGYAKARTA: Jurusan Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Skripsi ini berfokus kepada karakteristik dari Frodo Baggins dalam novel
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring karya John Ronald Reuel Tolkien dan apa yang membuatnya terpilih sebagai pembawa cincin.
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menjawab permasalahan tentang nilai kepahlawanan di dalam seorang karakter. Terdapat dua problematika untuk dianalisa. Pertama, pertanyaan mengenai bagaimana kah karakteristik dari Frodo Baggins. Pertanyaan kedua mengenai bagaimana kah nilai kepahlawanan dideskripsikan dalam karakteristik dari Frodo Baggins.
Metode yang digunakan dalam pembelajaran ini adalah metode pencarian pustaka. Yang berarti pembelajaran dilakukan dengan pembacaan, dan pengumpulan data dan informasi yang dianggap akurat dan valid sebagai sumber informasi. Penulis menggunakan teori karakter dan karakterisasi untuk menganalisis karakter dari Frodo Baggins. Serta teori nilai-nilai kepahlawanan untuk menganalisis nilai kepahlawanan dalam karakter Frodo. Dalam sekripsi ini, penulis menggunakan pendekatan moral-filosofi karena penulis ingin lebih fokus terhadap analisis moral dari sang tokoh
. Analisa mendapati bahwa karakteristik dari Frodo Baggins adalah: bersahabat, penuh rasa penasaran, rela berkorban, bertanggung jawab, jujur dan setia, pemberani, optimis, dan juga konyol. Analisa juga mendapati nilai-nilai kepahlawanan yang terdapat dalam Frodo, yaitu: pemberani, tak kenal takut, memiliki kebulatan tekad, berdedikasi, memiliki daya tahan, gigih, tidak egois, rela berkorban, serta rendah hati.
1
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This is the first chapter of the study. This chapter consists of 4 sections: background of the study, problem formulation, objectives of the study, and definition of term. Background of the study consists of description of the topic, and the reason why the topic is chosen. Problem formulation consists of the problem that will be discussed and analyzed in the study. Objectives of the study is clearly about the purpose of the study. And definition of terms is to give explanation about the specific terms that is used in this study.
A. Background of the Study
Literature and life are inseparable. In fact, literature is the study of life. The subject-matter of literature is the presentation of life. Meaning, literature is the communication of the writer’s unique experiences of life. Since literature involves the objective and subjective outlook of the writer, the writer observes humanity and makes the subjective approach to it. It is known that literary works is someway a portrait of what happened in certain period.
women to have more leisure times since they did not have to get involved much deeper in the household anymore, and it seemed that they tried to find something different to satisfy their eagerness in readership (Barnard, 1984: 71). The eagerness to read is fulfilled by reading newspapers, such as the Spectator and the
Tattler (Barnard, 1984: 71). Later, some new writers and their works appeared to fulfill the thirst for reading for men (and also women) at that time, and as result, more and more novels were published and libraries spread vastly through the land (Barnard, 1984: 72). In the early era of the twentieth century, the economy and technology tend to be in its ‘golden era’, but criticism on the negative sides of the Victorianism (materialism, pride, the bluntness in aesthetic, and also in social-economic relationship) is aroused which results in World War I (Samekto, 2006: 97). Because of the improvements in economy as well as technology, there are more people at that time capable to read some literary works – novels. Technology makes people easier to get the novels because of the improvements and development in publishing the novels. Moreover, the distribution of the novels is becoming even. In his book, A Short History of English Literature, Robert Barnard (1984) writes “by the middle of the century, circulating libraries were established; by the end of the century they were flourishing all over the country …”.(72) It means that by the development of technology, more and more libraries were built and provided for the readers at that time, whether it was constructed libraries (buildings provided for libraries so that the readers can borrow or read books in there) or circulated libraries reaching for remote areas.
sebagai skeptisme dan sinisme yang muncul ke permukaan ke arah standar etis dan sosial) (Samekto, 2006: 97).
In the ‘50s, people of England need something ‘new’ and different for their changes of lives in post-war socialism; they need something to make them satisfy after the horrible war (Barnard, 1984: 190). Slowly they try to improve their lives, and this era is also known as the time of rising economic expectations, especially for the working class (Barnard, 1984: 190). For the rising of economic expectations at that time improve the way of living of the working class, they managed to buy secondary needs, such as cars, televisions as well as novels, instead of primary needs like foods, clothing and places to live (Barnard, 1984: 190). These changes in life in the twentieth century have produced many new writers whether their works made them famous or not. Some of the writers considered as famous writers are Agatha Christie who is well known with her works in mystery and detective novels, Barbara Cartland with her romance novels, Stephen King who is famous with his novels that mostly talk about mystery, horror, and thriller, Herbert George Wells with his science-fiction novels, and many more writers can fulfill the needs of reading for the people in the early era of the twentieth century with their novels. One of the writers in the twentieth century that was considered famous with his works in England as well as in international areas is J. R. R. Tolkien (2001).
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) was a professor of Anglo-Saxon (old English) in the Oxford University. Some of his famous works are The Hobbit
The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien (2001) has mostly been defined by the English Literature community in England because of his invention of the unbelievable new words, which are actually based on the old English words, and the English Literature community thinks that there are some deviations of using the old English words (Armstrong, 2011). This kind of perception might occur because of ‘the culture-gap’ that exists between Tolkien (2001) and the critics, as it is said by Tom Shippey in his book The Road to Middle-Earth:
… In part to disparities – in age, in temperament, in intellectual training, in religious and moral values – between the author and his commentators (especially professors in American universities). […] Several writers have suggested recently that the toolkit of the professional critic at this time is too small: it does not work at all on whole genres of fiction (especially fantasy and science fiction, but including also the bulk of ‘entertainment’ fiction, i.e. what people most commonly read). […] Tolkien (2001) may be a peripheral writer for the theory of fiction. However it seems to pay more attention to the peripheries and less to the well-trodden centre (Rosebury, 1992: 3).
course, the ‘standardizing’ of the literary works here is not all the same for all genres, especially fiction. The critics cannot generalize all the works of different writers from different genres in one standard only for each of the writers has his/her own character in making literary works, especially novels. And the readers conception cannot be denied also as they can have different opinion on a literary work from the critics. A novel is considered as a good novel for the readers but it is not always the same way as the critics, and vice versa. This kind of conception between the readers and the critics from two different countries on Tolkien’s works happens too to the thesis writer as the cultural background as well as the perception on The Lord of the Rings of the thesis writer has a differentiation from Tolkien (2001), the critics, and other readers.
On the other hand, Tolkien’s works have been loved by millions of readers worldwide. Some of his serious readers of The Lord of the Rings had given some enquires about the newly invented and written languages which encouraged Tolkien (2001) to work harder on his novel.i With the reputation of a well-known novelist of the twentieth century as well as a professor in Oxford University, still, there is a kind of ‘negative image’ toward Tolkien’s works that says:
He has attracted such a poor secondary literature (with some distinguished exceptions) might be taken by dismissive critics as a reflection on the quality of his own work – and perhaps it is, though not in the sense the dismisses intend (Rosebury, 1992: 2).
works in the same standard with the other writers in the same century for his works are distinctive and unique which can make people who do not really into reading his works, especially the critics that oppose Tolkien, tend to disdain (Tolkien, 2001: 2).
Tolkien’s works mostly talk about the superstitious things that sometimes beyond the imagination of the readers of his books. There is a kind of remark by Brian Rosebury (1992) in his book Tolkien (2001): A Critical Assessment that “The Lord of the Rings deals not with imaginary events in the real world, but with imaginary events in an imaginary world.”(9) This statement can be assumed as there is a difference in Tolkien’s works that makes the characterization of his writings. Usually, fictional writers make some imaginary events that might happen in the real world, but it is different for Tolkien (2001) that he can make an imaginary world completely together with imaginary events that might occur in the world that he has created, the Middle-earth. Tolkien can create an imagination of making the world of the Elves and the other ‘extraordinary’ creatures just like it really happens in the reality, in our world. Even, Tolkien wrote the histories, the family trees of the characters in his novel, and also the maps of the areas where these characters live in, all of them become part of his novel, The Lord of the Rings. This novel, actually, is a sequel of Tolkien’s former work, The Hobbit
Tolkien’s educational background in literature, especially in the old English section, influenced most of his inventions of the new words in his novel –
The Lord of the Rings. Some of the new words are also based on the Sarehole dialect where he lived in childhood environment outside Birmingham, England (Rogers, 2011). Tolkien (2001) grew up with his keen on the new words that he created by himself, the love of the trees, and, even, he and some of his childhood friends made a group that mostly discussed about the new words (Rogers, 2011). Tolkien’s new words mostly based on Germanic, Finnish, Gothic, and Welsh, as well as the Old and Middle English (Rogers, 2011). The Eleven-language that is spoken in this story is based on Finnish. In fact, the language is still spoken in a town called Vienna-Karelia, a small town in the border of Finland and Russia (Arnaldo-Guizar, 2003: 14) Another character that Tolkien (2001) made based on history of Vienna-Karelia is Gandalf the Grey. In Vienna-Karelia, there is a rune song namely Kalevala – the land of heroes. This rune song much alike Beowulf, an epic saga that is well known in the world of literature (Arnaldo-Guizar, 2003: 14). In Kalevala, the main hero is Vanamoinen who has power in his words in fighting the evil power. This characterization is symbolized in Gandalf the Grey who has power in his words as he is a Wizard who can cast spells and wise in person as well (Arnaldo-Guizar, 2003: 18).
The Lord of the Rings took almost eighteen years of writing process before it was being published during the year 1954-55 and divided into three volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. The Lord of the Rings, actually, is not a ‘trilogy’ but a unified work:
words presented in three separately-titled volumes, is set in a world called Middle-Earth, of which the regions we encounter are broadly similar, in climate, geology and vegetation, as well as in scale, to Europe (Rosebury, 1992: 7).
The description of the Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings more or less is very much alike the land in Europe, especially Tolkien’s hometown in the outskirt of Birmingham, England (Arnaldo-Guizar, 2003: 43). The statement above also emphasizes this as it is said that the region, the climate, geology and vegetation, and the scale of the Middle-earth are similar to Europe which make the readers, especially for those who live in England, familiar with the setting in
The Lord of the Rings.
the characters in The Lord of the Rings show the lives of the people in real world with their activities, but they all are symbolized in tragic way that full of eeriness, conflicts, and magical things as it is happened in The Lord of the Rings.
This imaginary world of The Lord of the Rings creates an understanding among some critics that:
… The imagined world is underpinned by an optimistic, and occasionally explicit, theology of a quite different kind. […] though the world is pre-Christian, there is no doubt that we are in an Augustinian universe, in which all Creation is good, and evil is conceived in terms of freely-chosen negation, of a willful abdication from an original state of created perfection (Rosebury, 1992: 30).
The world of Middle-earth, as it is explained before, based on Tolkien’s background in academic life, in his belief as a Christian, in his life as an officer in the World War as well as his own imagination about making another legend of his own (Arnaldo-Guizar, 2003: 17) Although the world in The Lord of the Rings is totally fictional, there are some messages of religion, especially Christian in Augustinian period, as Rosebury (1992) has said in his statement above that “all Creation is good and evil is conceived in terms of freely-chosen negation.” All creation (humans and the nature) is created in good deed for resulting in advantage for the creation itself in the end, but then it is the creation who should makeup his/her own mind whether to choose the right way or the wrong one.
The Lord of the Rings. This is shown as the bearing of the Ring from the Shire where Frodo lives to another places (Rivendell, and finally to Mount Doom in Mordor) as the symbolization of the transfer of power in the World War II (Arnaldo-Guizar, 2003: 29-32). Another influence of the World War in The Lord of the Rings can also be seen in the battle between the Fellowship of the Ring and the Orcs in Mines of Moria as a symbol of Battle of Somme where Tolkien (2001) as a British officer was trapped in a pit together with his fellow soldiers (Arnaldo-Guizar, 2003: 17). From his experiences while he was still an officer in the World War as well as his eagerness in old English and other tales and history that ever exist in Europe, such as Beowulf and Kalevala (Arnaldo-Guizar, 2003: 18), Tolkien (2001) wrote his most famous novel, The Lord of the Rings.
B. Problem Formulation
There are some questions that would be answered in this thesis. 1. What are the characteristics of Frodo Baggins?
2. How is the value of heroism described in the characteristics of Frodo Baggins?
C. Objectives of the Study
This study reveals the characteristics of Frodo Baggins, and something inside him that makes him so different from his race, something that makes him unique and special, this study reveals the value of heroism described inside the character of Frodo that makes him chosen as the Ring-bearer. The objectives of the study are to understand the characteristics of Frodo Baggins, and to understand the value of heroism described in the characteristics of Frodo Baggins.
D. Definition of Terms
The discussion in this thesis will be limited to the main character, Frodo Baggins, and the influences that he gets from his environment, his friends and relatives, and his enemies.
Dictionary of Literary Terms written by Chris Baldick, there is an exception stating that central character is the main on the nuclear personage in a narrative or dramatic work (1990: 33).
Since the focus of the writer is about heroism, the writer uses the term “value of heroism”. A real hero is someone who faces everyday challenges bravely and lives with a smile despite problems and shortcomings (Jadhav, 2010). According to Jadhav (2010), there are 10 characteristics of a hero, such as: bravery, courage, determination, dedication, endurance, perseverance, valor, selflessness, sacrifice, and humility.
13
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW
Theoretical review, this chapter consists of review of related studies, review of related theories and theoretical framework. Review of related studies is presented in order to give information on the work that is analyzed. Review of related theories consists of the theories that are used to analyze the problems. And the theoretical framework provides the use of the theories in order to analyze the problems.
A. Review of Related Studies
The moral lesson in The Lord of the Rings shows that, like what a proverb says, ‘there is no garden without its weeds’ (there is nothing perfect. Every man must have weaknesses) (Habeyb, 1982: 90). What is seen in the beginning would not be the same in the end. The ‘good’, along with the flow of the story, finally becomes the evil, and the ‘evil’ creatures in The Lord of the Rings are not usually devilish from the first (Rosebury, 1992: 33). There is an ambiguity that the ‘good’ will be good forever and the ‘evil’ will be bad until the end of the story. Like what W. H. Auden says that:
be in the good side who fights against the dark power, but then, he tends to choose to be the ally of the Dark Lord Sauron because of his greed in taking the Ring in order to be used for his own importance as well as in dominating the world of Middle-earth.
This kind of perception might occur because of ‘the culture-gap’ that exists between Tolkien (2001) and the critics, as it is said by Tom Shippey in his book The Road to Middle-Earth:
… In part to disparities – in age, in temperament, in intellectual training, in religious and moral values – between the author and his commentators (especially professors in American universities). […] Several writers have suggested recently that the toolkit of the professional critic at this time is too small: it does not work at all on whole genres of fiction (especially fantasy and science fiction, but including also the bulk of ‘entertainment’ fiction, i.e. what people most commonly read). […] Tolkien (2001) may be a peripheral writer for the theory of fiction. However it seems to pay more attention to the peripheries, and less to the well-trodden centre (Rosebury, 1992: 3).
of the literary works here is not all the same for all genres, especially fiction. The critics cannot generalize all the works of different writers from different genres in one standard only for each of the writers has his/her own character in making literary works, especially novels. And the readers conception cannot be denied also as they can have different opinion on a literary work from the critics. A novel is considered as a good novel for the readers but it is not always the same way as the critics, and vice versa. This kind of conception between the readers and the critics from two different countries on Tolkien’s works happens too to the thesis writer as the cultural background as well as the perception on The Lord of the Rings of the thesis writer has a differentiation from Tolkien (2001), the critics, and other readers.
On the other hand, Tolkien’s works have been loved by millions of readers worldwide. Some of his serious readers of The Lord of the Rings had given some enquires about the newly invented and written languages which encouraged Tolkien (2001) to work harder on his novel.i With the reputation of a well-known novelist of the twentieth century as well as a professor in Oxford University, still, there is a kind of ‘negative image’ toward Tolkien’s works that says:
He has attracted such a poor secondary literature (with some distinguished exceptions) might be taken by dismissive critics as a reflection on the quality of his own work – and perhaps it is, though not in the sense the dismisses intend (Rosebury, 1992: 2).
works in the same standard with the other writers in the same century for his works are distinctive and unique which can make people who do not really into reading his works, especially the critics that oppose Tolkien, tend to disdain (Rosebury, 1992: 2).
At that time, people still assumed that the canon (classic works of art, such as novels, plays, or poems. Mostly, they were the works of Shakespeare) were still the best things to be read or watched. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings can make a new success in the people’s way of thinking. This novel can gain its readers by giving something ‘new’ other than the ‘classical works’ of the canon. But, there is a problem in categorizing Tolkien’s work into a specific genre. Tolkien himself prefers ‘tale’, ‘story’ or ‘romance’ rather than to use the word ‘novel’ in describing his work (Rosebury, 1992: 9). Mostly, novels are set in historical world, portray ‘characters and actions credibly representative of real life’, and romances are tales with ‘scene and incidents remote from everyday life’ (Rosebury, 1992: 10). There is a critic on giving comment toward Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings that “… the novel shows life as it truly is, in all its concrete tragic elements.”(Rosebury, 1992: 10). That is, the world, the society lives, and the characters in The Lord of the Rings show the lives of the people in real world with their activities, but they all are symbolized in tragic way that full of eeriness, conflicts, and magical things as it is happened in The Lord of the Rings.
This imaginary world of The Lord of the Rings creates an understanding among some critics that:
pre-Christian, there is no doubt that we are in an Augustinian universe, in which all Creation is good, and evil is conceived in terms of freely-chosen negation, of a willful abdication from an original state of created perfection (Rosebury, 1992: 30).
This study focus on the characters of Frodo Baggins and what makes hin chosen as the bearer. Basically, Frodo is just an ordinary hobbit, he lives and acts like an ordinary hobbit. The study will reveal what is inside his characters, as an ordinary hobbit, which makes him chosen as the ring bearer.
B. Review of Related Theories
1. Theory of Character and Characterization
Like us, who exist in this world, there are characters that ‘live’ and ‘act’ in the novel. According to Abrams (1981:23), characters are ”the persons presented in a dramatic or narrative work who are interpreted by the readers as being endowed with moral and disposition qualities that are expressed in what they say (the dialogues) and by what they do (the actions)”. This quotation implies that there is a relation between the presentations of a character as well as his personality traits and what the readers get from his presentation. That is why the characters must be credible, or in other words, the reader must accept them as believable people.
According to M.J. Murphy (1972:161-173) there are nine ways in which an author attempts to make his characters understandable to, and come alive for, his readers:
b. Character as seen by another. The author can describe a character through the eyes and opinions of another instead of describing a character directly.
c. Speech. The author can give us an insight into the character of one of the persons in the book through what that person says. Whenever a person speaks, whenever he is in conversation with another, whenever he puts forward an opinion, he is giving us some clues to his character.
d. Past life. The author guides the readers to learn something about the person’s past life. The author can give us a clue to events that have helped to shape a person’s character. This can be done by direct comment by the author, trough the person’s thoughts, through his conversation or trough the medium of another person.
e. Conversation of others. The authors can also give us clue to a person’s character through the conversation of other people and the things they say about him.
f. Reactions. The author can give us a clue to a person’s character by letting us know how that person reacts to various situations and events.
g. Direct comment. The author can describe or comments on a person’s character directly.
h. Thoughts. The author can give us direct knowledge of what person is thinking about.
i. Mannerisms. The author can describe a person’s mannerisms, habits or idiosyncrasies, which tell us something about his character.
in two ways: (1) it designated the individual who appear in the story and (2) it refers to the mixture of interests, desires, emotions, and principle that makes up each of these individuals (Stanton, 1965:17). It is similar to what Barnet says that the terms character refers to: (1) figure in literary works, figure here refers to the story performer; and (2) personality, that is, the mental and moral qualities of a figure, as one says that A’s character is strong, weak, or immoral, or whatever (1988:71).
2. The Value of Heroism
Webster's Ninth Collegiate Dictionary defines hero as a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability, an illustrious warrior (Webster, 1983: 236)
A hero is an individual of elevated moral stature and superior ability who pursues his goals indefatigably in the face of powerful antagonist(s). Because of his unbreached devotion to the good, no matter the opposition, a hero attains spiritual grandeur, even in he fails to achieve practical victory. The hero's moral stature is unquestionably the most fundamental. An uncompromising commitment to morality is the foundation of heroism. Although the point can be stated simply--the hero is a "good guy"--its reasons are philosophical and apply to all instances of the concept (Bernstein, 1999).
the select few who tower above the rest. It is a sparsely populated classification. To attain this status one must reach the zenith of human morality, an undeviating commitment to rational values, in action, in the teeth of opposition that would dismay a lesser man (Zimbardo, 2011).
Heroic action is engaged in voluntary; conducted in service to one or more people or the community as a whole, involving a risk to physical comfort, social stature, or quality of life; and initiated without the expectation of material gain. A hero has faced it all: he need not be undefeated, but he must be undaunted. Now we have a fuller understanding of my original definition: a hero is an individual of elevated moral stature and superior ability who pursues his goals indefatigably in the face of powerful antagonist(s) (Zimbardo, 2011).
A hero is related but is not identical to a moral man, to an achiever, to a role model. A moral man is one who possesses an unbleached commitment to reality and who never indulges whims. An achiever is a man who attains ends that are objectively life-promoting, one who fulfills reality-conforming purposes, whether to construct a home, complete an education or find a cure for cancer. A role model is a man who, as a rational achiever, is worthy of emulation (Zimbardo, 2011).
teeth of every form of opposition. It is from observation of these men that the concept "hero" is formed; it is for these men that the special designation of "hero" is reserved. It is only because some men pursue values in the teeth of opposition that the concept "hero" becomes necessary, necessary to differentiate those who, like Ayn Rand, have battled every conceivable foe in pursuit of their values from those who have not. It is not an accident that, historically, most of mankind's heroes have been great warriors. This is so because men have recognized implicitly that there are a special few who take on all comers to achieve their ends. The designation "hero" is a moral approbation reserved for these elite (Zimbardo, 2011).
force or foe that threatens them. The brave man is not necessarily one who is unafraid but one who performs whatever protective actions his values require, no matter the intensity of his fear. This bravery is the especial moral hallmark of the hero. The hero is valorous because he stands up to every threat directed against his values. Heroism requires value conflict (Zimbardo, 2011).
A real hero is someone who faces everyday challenges bravely and lives with a smile despite problems and shortcomings. According to Jadhav (2010), there are 10 most prominent hero characteristics.
a. Bravery: This is the most important characteristic of a hero. Heroes have to be brave to stand up and fight.
b. Courage: heroes need the courage to fight a situation no matter how bad it is. Heroes have the fear of losing but they also have the courage to drive away that fear.
c. Determination: The difference between the impossible and possible lies in a man's determination. When heroes have the determination to fight something, no matter how weak the heroes are, heroes will win.
d. Dedication: Dedication in a task pays off eventually.
e. Endurance: If heroes are strong enough to face failure, nothing can stop them from achieving their goal.
f. Perseverance: When heroes are persistent, heroes are bound to be victorious eventually.
h. Selflessness: You have to be selfless in your life to be remembered as a hero.
i. Sacrifice: It is very difficult to make sacrifices but a true hero sacrifices without hesitating.
j. Humility: To become truly great, one has to stand with the people, not above them. Heroes shouldn't have airs about themselves but be down to earth and humble.
C. Theoretical Framework
25
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
This chapter is divided into three chapters: object of the study, approach of the study, and method of the study. Object of the study gives the information about the literary work that is analyzed. Approach of the study explains about the method that is used to analyze the work. Method of the study describes about the steps that is used to analyze the study.
A. Object of the Study
Object of the study is the novel The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1954-1955).
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy epic written by psychologist and University of Oxford professor J. R. R. Tolkien. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) was a major scholar of the English language, he was also a professor of Anglo-Saxon (Old English) at the University of Oxford.
The story of The Lord of the Rings is about a powerful ring that rules the other rings of power. The powerful ring has been long known in a verse of Elven-lore:
Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for the Mortal Men doomed to die,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. (Tolkien, 1967: 53)
The ring, somehow, gets into Frodo’s hand, and the journey begins. Frodo is a hobbit; he lives in a village called Shire. Shire is a peaceful small village. At the beginning, Frodo knows nothing about the ring. He just inherits the ring from his uncle, Bilbo. He inherits the ring after his uncle, suddenly, decides to move out of Shire. At first, nothing goes wrong with the ring. He just knows that the ring has a special power that can make the user invisible. Later, Frodo knows that the ring has a mysterious power; an evil power. An evil power which influences and slaves the owner. It is also known that the ring belongs to the Dark Lord Sauron. The ring is so terrible and powerful. After knowing the evil power of the ring, In order to save his homeland and keep the ring from evil Sauron, Frodo has to do a quest. He must go to a faraway volcano in Mordor to destroy the ring. He and his friends start the quest, but the quest is not that easy. It is a very dangerous quest. Frodo has to battle Sauron and his servants. Along the quest, a lot of things happen, the mystery of the ring is also revealed.
Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkienis a trilogy entitled The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. The focus of this study is
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
B. Approach of the Study
moral-philosophical traditional approach focuses on the moral or philosophical teaching. It means that the literature will be interpreted within a context of moral-philosophical. In this case, the moral-philosophical value focuses on the value of heroism.
C. Method of the Study
The method that is used in the study was library research. In library research, the study was done by reading, collecting data and information from some sources, such as: books, writings, and websites. The data, which were considered as relevance, accurate, and valid, were taken as the source of the study.
The data of this research could be categorized as primary and secondary data. The primary data was the novel itself, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and the secondary data were the other sources, included the material and digital sources, that were used to help the research. The secondary data were the review of the novel, the journals, and some books as the theories.
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CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
This chapter deals with answering the problem formulations. Therefore this chapter divided into two sections. The first section is answering the first problem, about the characteristics of Frodo Baggins. The second section is about the value of heroism described in the characteristics of Frodo.
Before answering the problems, the writer needs to give a short explanation about Frodo and his ring. This explanation will help to reveal the story and the background of Frodo Baggins.
Frodo Baggins, a Hobbit of the Shire, is a son of Drogo Baggins and Primula Baggins. He lost his parents in boat accident and was adopted by Bilbo Baggins as his heir (Tolkien, 1967: 23-24). Bilbo and Frodo shared a birthday - September 22.
somehow, it was known that the ring was originally belonged to Dark Lord Sauron, so Frodo’s quest to destroy the ring began.
A. The Characteristics of Frodo Baggins
Frodo is the main protagonist character of The Lord of the Rings. He is a young hobbit from Shire, who is chosen as the ring bearer. Frodo is a hobbit chosen to do a quest to destroy the ring. These are the characteristics of Frodo Baggins:
1. Friendly
Frodo is the only child of Drogo Baggins and Primula Brandybuck. He is adopted by Bilbo after losing his parents. Frodo lives both with Bilbo in Bag End. He lives alone in Bag End after being left by Bilbo.
He lived alone, as Bilbo had done; but he had a good many friends, especially among the younger hobbits (mostly descendants of the Old Took) who had as children been fond of Bilbo and often in and out of Bag End (Tolkien, 1967:45).
“….But be that as it may, Mr. Frodo is as nice as a young hobbit as you could wish to meet. Very much like Mr. Bilbo, and in more than looks. After all his father was a Baggins. ”(Tolkien, 1967:24).
Mr. Gaffer Gamgee is Samwise Gamgee’s father, later Sam will be one of Frodo’s friends during the quest. Gaffer is a gardener in Bilbo’s house; he has worked there since a long time. In his opinion, Gaffer says that Frodo is a nice hobbit, just like the other Baggins are. He knows well the Bilbos’ family, which makes his opinion objective.
2. Curious
Frodo is a curious hobbit. He always wants to know something new. He has a big desire to explore something he had never seen before. He always has desire to go on a quest and find something new, something he had never seen before.
But half unknown to himself the regret that he had not gone with Bilbo was steadily growing. He found himself wondering at times, especially in the autumn, about the wild lands, and strange vision of mountains that he had never seen came into his dreams. He began to say to himself: ‘perhaps I shall cross the river myself one day.’ To which the other half of his mind always replied: ‘Not yet.’ (Tolkien, 1967: 45)
something that is bigger than he could imagine. Then he always says to his mind that it is not the right time to leave the village, not yet. He keeps waiting for the right moment to start his ‘quest’. However, this curious characteristic of Frodo is very distinctive. He is not like the ordinary hobbit. See the following foreword by J.R.R Tolkien:
'Hobbits are an unobtrusive but very ancient people, more numerous formerly than they are today; for they love peace and quiet and good tilled earth: a well-ordered and well-farmed countryside was their favorite haunt. They do not and did not understand or like machines more complicated that a forge-bellows, a water-mill, or a hand-loom, shy of ‘the Big Folk’, as they call us, and now they avoid us with dismay and are becoming hard to find…' (Tolkien, 1967: 5)
In the foreword, Tolkien description about hobbit is very clear. Hobbit is ancient peaceful people. Normally hobbits love peace and quiet place. They prefer living in their countryside, never expecting much than what they use to do; farming, gardening. They are simple characters that can only use simple technology, such as: water-mill. Basically, hobbits are very shy and simple characters, they do not like to be exposed or get into trouble. These are a bit different from the characteristic of Frodo. This common characteristic of hobbit is not found in Frodo. His curiosity makes Frodo becomes very unique, not like the other hobbits, because this leads him into a very unimaginable adventure.
3. Sacrificial
homeland, his friends, and his childhood memory, his everything. He decides to sacrifice all he has to save his world, world that he has never known before.
...’ But in the meanwhile it seems that I am a danger, a danger to all that live near me. I cannot keep the ring and stay here. I ought to leave Bag End, leave Shire, leave everything and go away.’ He sighed. ... (Tolkien, 1967:64)
In the paragraph, it is told that Frodo realizes that he and his ring are dangerous to his society. He and his ring cause the danger to all living things around him. He knows that he cannot stay in Shire while keeping his ring. Frodo knows that he and his ring are danger, so he has to leave Bag End, leave Shire. He sacrifices and leaves all he has, to safe his homeland. It is a huge step for Frodo’s life. This kind of action reflects his sacrificial character.
4. Responsible
Bilbo inherits all of his possession including the ring to Frodo. After knowing that the ring is dangerous, as the new owner of the ring Frodo should held responsibility for whatever reason.
consequences he has to save the homeland, though he sometimes feels stupid about the people of Shire but still he loves his homeland. He has to save Shire. It is his playground, his home, his childhood, his everything. He knows that he and his ring are danger to the town. Since he is a very responsible person he decided to go and leave Shire for the sake of the all. He is not afraid even if he must go alone. He will go alone as his responsibility to save his homeland. Later when Frodo has to battle against the Black Rider, he is asked to surrender.
‘By Elbereth and Luthien the Fair’, said Frodo with a last effort, lifting up his sword, ‘you shall have neither the Ring nor me!’ (Tolkien, 1967: 220). The paragraph above shows how responsible Frodo is. He is surrounded by the Black Rider and asks to handle the ring. As a responsible person, Frodo will not handle the ring to the enemy, even if his life is in danger. Although he is a hobbit, a small race, and has no skill in battle, he prefers to fight against the enemy and to draw his sword than to handle the ring. Again this characteristic strengthens from his dialogue.
‘I will take the Ring’, he said, ‘though I do not know the way.’ (Tolkien,1967: 276)
He knows that the quest of being the ring bearer is very hard. The sentence stated that Frodo makes his decision to take the ring, although he does not know where he must go to. Frodo feels responsible as the ring owner, so he will take the ring, although he does not know where to go and what to do.
The paragraph above shows that Frodo is tired. He is tired of all the danger in his quest, tired of being chased by the enemy and all of the inconvenience along his quest. He thinks about the other option beside his dangerous quest. The options are going back to Rivendell, a peaceful place, or continue passing through Caradhras, to endanger his life. Beneath his heart he wants to go back to Rivendell, a place where he is secure, peace, and warm. However he knows that the quest is not finished yet. Frodo knows that he will not be able to return, without shame, until he has finished the mission or he is defeated. This shows that Frodo is a responsible person; he still tries to finish his mission, although he feels tired.
5. Honest and faithful
Frodo is an honest person. He tells the truth about the quest to his friends, he does not keep the fact to himself. Frodo tells to his friends that the quest might be dangerous; he does not lie to his friends.
‘it is going to be very dangerous, Sam. It is already dangerous. Most likely neither of us will come back.’
‘If you don’t come back, sir, then I shan’t, that’s certain’, said Sam. ... (Tolkien, 1967: 90)
following him, they will get into a dangerous quest. Because Frodo tells the truth to his friend and does not want to endanger his friend’s life, his friend gets loyal to him.
‘You shall ride my horse’, said Glorfindel. ‘I will shorten the stirrups up to the saddle-skins, and you must sit as tight as you can. But you need not fear: my horse will not let any rider fall that I command him to bear. His pace is light and smooth; and if danger presses to near, he will bear you away with a speed that even the black steeds of the enemy cannot rival.’ ‘No, he will not!’ said Frodo. ‘I shall not ride him, if I am to be carried off to Rivendell or anywhere else, leaving my friends behind in danger.’ ... (Tolkien, 1967: 217)
From above dialogue by Frodo it is clear that Frodo does not want to leave his friends behind, he is a very faithful friend indeed. This dialogue occurs when Frodo is chased by Black Riders and helped by Glorfindel, the elf. Glorfindel assigns Frodo to ride his horse because his horse is very fast, so the enemy will not be able to catch him. He wants Frodo reach Rivendell save. However Frodo does not want to go, he doesn’t want to ride the horse, and he prefers to be in danger with his friends. He does not want to leave his friends behind. Frodo is truthfully a faithful friend. Another quotes support the characteristic is quoted bellow.
At first Frodo felt as if he had indeed been turned into stone by the incantation. Then a wild thought of escape came to him. He wondered if he put on the Ring, whether the Barrow-wight would miss him, and he might find some way out. He thought of himself running free over the grass, grieving for Merry, and Sam, and Pipin, but free and alive himself. Gandalf would admit that there had been nothing else he could do.
But the courage that had been awakened in him was now too strong: he could not leave his friends so easily. ... (Tolkien, 1967: 146-147)
run away, but he cannot leave his friends. He loves his friends so much, so he cannot leave his friends. Frodo prefers to encourage himself and stand beside his friend, although he knows that he cannot defeat the enemy. Frodo is a faithful person, so he does not run and leave his friends to save himself.
6. Courageous
Frodo is a courageous person. He does not run and or quit the quest. He is courageously stood against the enemy, even if he knows that the enemy is too strong to be handled.
At first Frodo felt as if he had indeed been turned into stone by the incantation. Then a wild thought of escape came to him. He wondered if he put on the Ring, whether the Barrow-wight would miss him, and he might find some way out. He thought of himself running free over the grass, grieving for Merry, and Sam, and Pipin, but free and alive himself. Gandalf would admit that there had been nothing else he could do.
But the courage that had been awakened in him was now too strong: he could not leave his friends so easily. ... (Tolkien, 1967: 146-147)
friends. It is a proof that Frodo is a courage person; he does not run from the enemy, but he fight against the enemy.
‘By Elbereth and Luthien the Fair’, said Frodo with a last effort, lifting up his sword, ‘you shall have neither the Ring nor me!’ (Tolkien, 1967: 220). The courage characteristic in Frodo is different from the traditional idea about hobbits. Frodo is ‘no one’ just a small people, a hobbit, but he shows the courage to fight. He draws his sword and fight against the enemy. The courage values found in Frodo’s character does not necessarily require physical idea which is identical with strength. This courage characteristic is more about Frodo’s mental strength. It is about how he faces the extreme difficulty as the ring bearer, to finish the quest no matter how dangerous or difficult the situation is.
7. Optimistic
Frodo is an optimistic person. He always thinks positively all the way. He does not feel oppressed on his dangerous quest. He enjoys his quest and doesn’t feel oppressed.
They began to hum softly, as hobbits have a way of doing as they walk along, especially when they are drawing near to home at night. With most hobbits it is a super-song or a bed-song; but these hobbits hummed a walking song ...
The song ended. ‘And now to bed! And now to bed!’ sang Pipin in a high voice (Tolkien, 1967: 79-80).
The song is sung when Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pipin are heading to Buckland. The song was formerly sung by Bilbo Baggins. The song is talking about adventure and Frodo sings it when they are having a rest after being chased by the Black Rider. Here it can be concluded that the song represents the optimistic character of Frodo. The meeting with the Black Rider is quite scary, yet Frodo feels curious to continue the quest. They keep singing together before they close their eyes and rest. Here is another song,
For a moment Frodo stood gaping. Then in desperation he began a ridiculous song that Bilbo had been rather fond of (and indeed rather proud of, for he had made up the words himself). It was about an inn; and that is probably why it came into Frodo’s mind just then. Here it is in full. Only a few words of it are now, as a rule, remembered.
There is an inn, a merry old inn Beneath an old grey hill,
And there they brew a beer so brown
That the man in the moon himself came down one night to drink his fill.
...
There was loud and long applause. Frodo had a good voice, and the song tickled their fancy. ... (Tolkien, 1967: 164-166)
8. Clumsy
Frodo is a clumsy person, he sometimes does something awkward. Frodo is easily get relax, he seldom feels oppressed on his quest. On his quest, Frodo sometimes do something funny, rather silly, and a bit stupid.
They made Frodo have another drink, and then begin his song again, while many of them joined in; for the tune was well known, and they were quick at picking up words. It was now Frodo’s turn to feel pleased with himself. He capered about on the table; and when he came a second time to the cow jumped over the moon, he leaped in the air. Much too vigorously; for he came down, bang, into a tray full of mugs, and slipped, and rolled off the table with a crash, clatter and bump! The audience all opened their mouths wide for laughter ... (Tolkien, 1967: 166)
In a part of his quest, Frodo takes a rest in an inn, The Prancing Pony inn. There, Frodo gets drunk and carried over with the situation. Frodo begins to speak digress. Then, he does something awkward. Frodo stands on a table and does something silly. He capers on the table and then slips. Bump! He falls down the table and makes all people there laugh.
B. Value of Heroism inside the Characteristics of Frodo Baggins
This is the second section of chapter four. After knowing and understanding the characteristics of Frodo Baggins, this section will reveal the heroism value inside his character.
As already discussed in the previous chapter, Frodo’s characters are friendly, curious, sacrificial, responsible, honest and faithful, courageous, optimistic, and also clumsy. And to reveal the value of heroism inside his character, this section will compare the characteristics of Frodo, with the characteristics of a hero.
Curiosity is the basic reason why Frodo does the quest. He is inspired by Bilbo’s adventure stories. Curiosity is the first reason that brings Frodo and friends on a quest to destroy the ring. Curiosity is the starting point that will change Frodo from an ordinary hobbit into a hero. This can be proven from the quotation below.
But half unknown to himself the regret that he had not gone with Bilbo was steadily growing. He found himself wondering at times, especially in the autumn, about the wild lands, and strange vision of mountains that he had never seen came into his dreams. He began to say to himself: ‘perhaps I shall cross the river myself one day.’ To which the other half of his mind always replied: ‘Not yet.’ (Tolkien, 1967: 45)
In the paragraph, it is told that Frodo is a very curious hobbit. He always regrets why he does not go with Bilbo. He feels very curious about what lies outside Shire. Frodo always wants to go to places outside Shire, but he is also afraid of the world outside. He is afraid of strange things that he has never seen before, so he always postpones his plan to go and says to himself that it is not the time to go, not yet. Although he always says that it is not the right time to go, Frodo realizes that he cannot repress his curiosity. Deep beneath his heart, he knows that, someday, he will go and start a journey, like what Bilbo has done. Because of the reason, Frodo starts his quest because of his curiosity, beside his responsibility and his duty as the ring bearer.
‘By Elbereth and Luthien the Fair’, said Frodo with a last effort, lifting up his sword, ‘you shall have neither the Ring nor me!’ (Tolkien, 1967: 220). Frodo is a brave hobbit; he prefers to draw his sword and fight against the enemy than give up and handle the ring to the enemy. As a hobbit, who has no ability to fight, he knows that he will not win against the enemy, but he still draws his sword and prefers to fight. It is proved that Frodo is a brave hobbit.
Frodo is also courageous. He always has bravery to fight, no matter how bad the situation is. He will still fight even if the enemy is too strong to be handled. The proof that Frodo is courageous can be seen in the quotation below.
At first Frodo felt as if he had indeed been turned into stone by the incantation. Then a wild thought of escape came to him. He wondered if he put on the Ring, whether the Barrow-wight would miss him, and he might find some way out. He thought of himself running free over the grass, grieving for Merry, and Sam, and Pipin, but free and alive himself. Gandalf would admit that there had been nothing else he could do.
But the courage that had been awakened in him was now too strong: he could not leave his friends so easily. ... (Tolkien, 1967: 146-147)
The situation happens when Frodo and his friends are surrounded by the Barrow-wight, and Frodo is separated from his friends, Sam Merry and Pipin. At first he wants to run and safe himself. He knows that he can run by using his ring, but he realizes that he cannot leave his friends. Deep inside his heart he loves his friends so much, so that he cannot leave his friends. And this feeling encourages him, so he prefers to fight against the enemy than run and leave his friends.
Frodo is a valorous hobbit, he is brave enough to stand against the wrong to defend himself and to fight. It can be proved from the quotation below.
The quotation shows that Frodo is a valorous hobbit. He is brave to stand against the enemy and fight, though he knows that he will not win against the enemy.
Frodo is a brave valorous and courageous hobbit that never gives up in any kind of situations. He will never give up even in the worst situation.
The other characteristic of a hero is determination. A hero should be able to change the situation; to make something impossible becomes possible.
‘By Elbereth and Luthien the Fair’, said Frodo with a last effort, lifting up his sword, ‘you shall have neither the Ring nor me!’ (Tolkien, 1967: 220). The paragraph above shows that Frodo is a responsible and determined person. Frodo feels responsible for the ring, and since he has got the ring, he has determined his mind to finish the quest no matter how hard the situation is. Frodo will never handle the ring to the enemy even if his life is in danger. It is as a proof that Frodo has determined his mind as the ring bearer. The paragraph above also proves Frodo’s dedication to his job as the ring bearer. The other proof of Frodo’s determination and dedication can be seen in this quotation.
Frodo sometimes feels stupid about the people in Shire, Frodo has risen his perseverance on his quest to destroy the ring. Frodo will struggle with his perseverance even if he has to go alone, he will finish his mission to destroy the ring.
Other characteristic of a hero inside Frodo is endurance. His optimistic shows that he is an endurable person. This can be seen from the quotation.
They began to hum softly, as hobbits have a way of doing as they walk along, especially when they are drawing near to home at night. With most hobbits it is a super-song or a bed-song; but these hobbits hummed a walking song ...
Upon the hearth the fire is red, Beneath the roof there is a bed; But not yet weary are our feet, Still round the corner we may meet A sudden tree or standing stone That none have seen but we alone. Tree and flower and leaf and grass, Let them pass! Let them pass! ...
The song ended. ‘And now to bed! And now to bed!’ sang Pipin in a high voice (Tolkien, 1967: 79-80).
For a moment Frodo stood gaping. Then in desperation he began a ridiculous song that Bilbo had been rather fond of (and indeed rather proud of, for he had made up the words himself). It was about an inn; and that is probably why it came into Frodo’s mind just then. Here it is in full. Only a few words of it are now, as a rule, remembered.
There is an inn, a merry old inn Beneath an old grey hill,
And there they brew a beer so brown
That the man in the moon himself came down one night to drink his fill.
...
The quotations show that Frodo is an endurable hobbit. He is hard to feel oppressed. He never gets stressed in his dangerous quest. It is proved that during his dangerous quest, he can still enjoy the quest.
A hero should be perseverance. This character is also seen inside the characteristic of Frodo Baggins.
‘I wish I was back there’, he said. ‘But how can I return without shame – unless there is indeed no other way, and we are already defeated?’ ... (Tolkien, 1967: 300)
The quotation above shows that Frodo is tired during his quest. He is tired with all the danger that he must face. Frodo wants to return and live in Rivendell, a place where he feels save. But he does not return to Rivendell, he decides to continue his dangerous quest. His choice to continue his quest shows that Frodo is a persevering hobbit.
The other characteristic of a hero is also selflessness and sacrificial. Selflessness means that a hero must not think about him/her self. A hero must put the others as priority. A hero sometimes also has to sacrifice a part of his life, the most valuable in life. These characters also can be seen in Frodo’s character. Frodo is a sacrificial and selfless person. When he knows that he and his ring are danger to his society, his homeland, Shire, Frodo decides to leaves all he has. He sacrifices all he has, and he does not think about himself. He just thinks how to safe his homeland. It is a proof that Frodo is a selfless and sacrificial person.
The paragraph above shows that Frodo realizes that he and his ring are dangerous to his society. He cannot keep the ring and stay in Shire because if he still stays in Shire, he will endanger his society, even can cause the death to his surroundings. When he realizes that he and his ring are danger, Frodo leaves all he has and goes away from Shire. It is a proof that Frodo is a sacrificial person; he sacrifices all he has and does not think about himself. He just thinks how to save his homeland, so he decides to leave Shire.
The other character of a hero is humility. A hero should be humble and stand beside other people, not above the others. This humility of a hero can be seen in the characteristic of Frodo that Frodo is a nice and friendly hobbit.
He lived alone, as Bilbo had done; but he had a good many friends, especially among the younger hobbits (mostly descendants of the Old Took) who had as children been fond of Bilbo and often in and out of Bag End (Tolkien, 1967:45).
The paragraph implied that since Bilbo has left Shire, Frodo leaves alone. Although Frodo lives alone, he still has good relation with his society. Frodo still has many friends, especially friends from his childhood. It is proved that Frodo is a friendly character. The other proof of the friendly and nice character of Frodo is the comment of Gaffer:
“….But be that as it may, Mr. Frodo is as nice as a young hobbit as you could wish to meet. Very much like Mr. Bilbo, and in more than looks. After all his father was a Baggins. ”(Tolkien, 1967:24).
family. As it has been mentioned, he considered Frodo as a nice hobbit, as what the other Baggins are.
Besides the good character of Frodo which shows the character of a hero inside himself, Frodo also has a character that makes him just an ordinary hobbit. Frodo is a clumsy hobbit. His clumsiness can be seen in the quotation.
They made Frodo have another drink, and then begin his song again, while many of them joined in; for the tune was well known, and they were quick at picking up words. It was now Frodo’s turn to feel pleased with himself. He capered about on the table; and when he came a second time to the cow jumped over the moon, he leaped in the air. Much too vigorously; for he came down, bang, into a tray full of mugs, and slipped, and rolled off the table with a crash, clatter and bump! The audience all opened their mouths wide for laughter ... (Tolkien, 1967: 166)
The quotation shows a part of Frodo’s quest. It happens when Frodo is taking a rest in The Prancing Pony inn. There, Frodo gets drunk and carried over with the situation. He does something awkward. Frodo stands and capers on the table. After that, he slips. Bump! He falls down the table and makes all people there laugh. The quotation shows that Frodo is a clumsy character.
The clumsy character of Frodo takes an important role in his characters. It shows the other side of a hero inside himself, the side of an ordinary hobbit. It shows that beside his duty as the ring bearer, Frodo is just an ordinary hobbit. His clumsiness represents his other side; the other side of Frodo as a hero, as the ring bearer, the side of Frodo as an ordinary hobbit.
50
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION
This chapter presents the conclusion of the study. This chapter contains the conclusion from the answers of the problem formulations as the result of examining and analyzing the problem formulations.
Hero is not born, hero is made. This statement is really appropriate for the condition of Frodo Baggins. Frodo is, originally, not born as a hero because he has no special ability, super power, or the other attributes that usually belong to a hero. Frodo is made a hero by the condition. His duty, as the ring bearer and the ring owner, is what makes him a hero. Frodo changes from zero to hero, he changes from an ordinary hobbit into a hero.
Hero is a person who saves the day, a person who defeats the enemy. A hero is usually identical with a person with super power, well-shaped body, or a great ability to fight. J. R. R. Tolkien through his book, The Lord of the Rings,
introduces a new kind of hero, a hero who is different from the stereotype of a hero. Tolkien, through the character of Frodo, wants to show that a hero is not always identical with physical appearance; a hero that shows the heroism through the value of heroism inside his character.
fight. He gets a mission as the ring bearer who has to destroy the ring in his quest. Frodo is chosen as the ring bearer not because of his physical appearance, but because of his good characteristics.
From the analysis of the first question, about the characteristics of Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, it is explained that Frodo has different characters from the other hobbit. These different characters are what make him special and chosen as the ring bearer. The characters of Frodo Baggins are friendly, curious, sacrificial, responsible, honest and faithful, courageous, optimistic, and also clumsy.
The analysis of the second question, about the value of heroism inside the characteristics of Frodo Baggins, explains what makes Frodo is chosen as the ring bearer is the characteristic of a hero inside himself. The values of heroism, characteristics of a hero, inside Frodo are bravery, courage, valor, determination, dedication, endurance, perseverance, selflessness, sacrifice, and also humility.
Those values of heroism are what make Frodo is chosen as the ring bearer, chosen as a hero. Besides those values, Frodo also has a character that makes him just an ordinary hobbit, clumsy. His clumsiness is what makes him unusual hero. A hero which is not the same as the other hero.
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